United Way NCA Is Charting Its Future for a Thriving National Capital Area Together.
United Way of the National Capital Area (United Way NCA) convened partners, stakeholders, board members, and staff on June 10 for its 2026 Annual Meeting. United Way NCA’s Chief External Affairs and Transformation Officer, Dr. Nicole Cooper, officially announced the organization’s 3–Year Strategic Plan: “Charting Our Future for a Thriving National Capital Area: 2026–2029.”
“The instability so many families are feeling right now is real and mounting. And it makes us uneasy. Yet, we continue to meet each moment,” Dr. Cooper shared. “Our commitment to serving the most underserved in our communities has not wavered and will not waver. If anything, this moment has made us clearer about who we are and what we are here to do.”
The 3-Year Strategic Plan highlights four strategic priorities: Evident Community Impact and Leadership; Elevated Brand Strength, Awareness, and Relevance; Diversified Revenue; and Strong Organizational Foundation.
Dr. Cooper also revealed United Way NCA’s new promise statement, highlighting the nonprofit’s commitment to our region: “Our commitment is to help people living at or below the ALICE Threshold in the National Capital Area to ensure they have a healthy community, youth opportunity, and financial security through strategic partnerships, responsive programs, and policy and advocacy.”
“From the health programs to the ALICE work, to the staff (United Way NCA) is doing in schools, we see it. We support it, we vibe with it, and we connect with it,” Rev. David Street, a Community Health Navigator at Mount Sinai Baptist Church, said.
The evening highlighted milestones and work achieved over the past year across the region. Learn more about the lasting impact United Way NCA is creating for its neighbors across the region in the FY2025 Annual Report.
The program was emceed by United Way NCA Board Member Kevin Smithson, PwC’s East Region Markets Leader. United Way NCA Board Chair Steve Proctor moderated a leadership discussion with Interim President & CEO of United Way Worldwide Rosie Allen-Herring and Mayor Muriel Bowser of the District of Columbia.
“I couldn’t think of any better place to be. We’ve had a wonderful partnership with United Way (NCA),” WSSC Water Customer Engagement Specialist Karen Cheeks said.
United Way NCA’s Prince George’s Community College Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) was honored during the program. The first FEC in the United Way NCA network celebrated its 10-year mark. Maryland State Sen. Nick Charles presented PGCC President Dr. Falecia Williams with an award in recognition of the accomplishment.
“Together, we can help individuals reduce debt, increase savings, improve credit scores, and strengthen their financial well-being. It’s measurable,” Dr. Williams said. “We’ve helped create pathways to opportunity for people striving to build futures for themselves and their families.”
Fairfax County Chief Equity Officer Toni Zollicoffer spoke about the Fairfax County Economic Mobility Pilot, a partnership with United Way NCA and George Mason University.
“Optimal partnerships draw out the very best in each contributor and achieve what none of us could accomplish alone,” Zollicoffer said. “When that work is grounded in a higher mission—building community, advancing the public good, or reshaping systems and conditions—it can be truly transformative.”
United Way NCA’s commitment to ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) remains central to its work across our impact areas: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, and Financial Security.
“What was really exciting and what was abundantly clear was that even though a lot of work has been done, there’s still so much work to do,” Dr. Indira Henard, President and CEO of the DC Rape Crisis Center, said. “I’m excited to see how United Way (NCA) continues to push the envelope in really intentional and innovative ways.”
