commitment to equity

UNITED FOR GOOD: EQUITY IN ACTION

United Way of the Wine Country recognizes structural racism and other forms of oppression have contributed to persistent disparities. We strive to engage community members, especially those whose voices have traditionally been marginalized. We work with residents along with public and private partners to co-create solutions that ensure everyone has the resources, support, opportunities, and networks they need to thrive. We commit to leveraging all our assets, including convening, strategic investments, awareness building, and advocacy, to create more equitable communities.

WHAT “EQUITY” MEANS TO UNITED WAY

Equity is the intentional inclusion of everyone in society and can only be achieved when systemic, institutional, and historical barriers based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and other identities are dismantled and no longer predict socioeconomic, education and health outcomes.

With donations made to our main community fund, the United We Rise Fund, United Way of the Wine Country disperses donations through community-informed grants to trusted, highly effective Community Partners working directly with folks most in need of vital services. In doing so, we proudly support projects, programs, organizations and coalitions that further the overall goal of fostering prosperous, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable communities throughout our five-county service area.

We are committed to collaborating and cocreating with community members, partners, and donors to improve our targeted fundraising and strategic grantmaking.

Similarly, donations designated to our innovative and inclusive giving group Pride United are awarded each year to support local LGBTQ+ programs and initiatives through a grant process that is transparent, rigorous, and equitable.

Complementing our community-driven work is our volunteer Community Board made up of community members from various backgrounds throughout our five-county service area working collectively to inform organizational planning and goal-setting. For each of our Community Board committees, we actively recruit volunteers with diverse lived experiences and intentionally create a culture grounded in a sense of purpose, belonging, and fairness.

Individual Giving Hero

As we look to a brighter future, United Way of the Wine Country is working diligently to invert the traditional paradigm of power and its corresponding systemic inequalities. From our Community Board to our community-informed grantmaking, we are committed to collaborating and cocreating with community members, partners, and donors to improve our targeted fundraising and strategic grantmaking.