Mobilizing Partnerships
As a mobilizer in our region, United Way takes the lead in bringing partners together to find new solutions to some of our region’s toughest challenges. This is where United Way is partnering/administering special groups/activities on behalf of the community.
Our Current Engagement
RICHMOND CHRISTMAS MOTHER FUND began in 1935 with the mission to help bring Christmas to underprivileged families in the City of Richmond. More than 80 years later, the Fund supported by Richmond Times-Dispatch, helps nonprofits in the Greater Richmond region brighten the holidays for individuals and families who are in need. Through holiday assistance programs, such as toys, gifts, clothing, or food, The Fund supports the tradition of community generosity. United Way provides administration of The Fund for the Richmond Times-Dispatch by processing donations and disbursements, providing gift acknowledgments to donors, and reporting to the RCM Board of Directors.
EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER PROGRAM (EFSP) is a nationally funded program that helps fund nonprofits and public agencies that are providing food services, shelter, rent/mortgage and utility assistance to their local residents. United Way is the administrative agency for both Virginia State Set Aside funding and funding for our 13 local jurisdictions. When a jurisdiction is funded, the Local Board must advertise the availability of funds. Local organizations, whether nonprofit, faith-based, or governmental, may apply via an application process. The Local Board is responsible for considering all applications, and for determining which organizations will receive funds. The Local Board also determines which services are funded. For more information, click here.
ENERGYSHARE, Since 1982, has provided energy assistance for people living in our region through a variety of initiatives that support individuals and families experiencing financial hardships. Since the program’s inception, EnergyShare has supported over 908,000 individuals and families. From the beginning, Dominion Energy has partnered with United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg to provide financial management of the program.
HEALTHY EAST END INITIATIVE (HEEI) was created by Richmond City’s East End community leaders to focus on reducing preventable health deaths for marginalized populations. United Way serves as the fiscal sponsor for HEEI and partners on this initiative to advance United Way’s Healthy Communities focus area.
WORKFORCE COALITION RVA is a partnership between United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg, Capital Region Workforce Partnership, ChamberRVA, Community College Workforce Alliance, the City of Richmond’s Office of Community Wealth Building, and the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond. The coalition has two main goals: Connect prepared job seekers with living wage jobs and opportunities for career progression; and provide a reliable pipeline of skilled workers for high-demand fields such as health care, manufacturing and logistics, construction and trades, and information technology. This partnership is part of United Way’s Financial Stability focus area work.
WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP TEAM was convened by United Way several years ago at the request of the Bob and Anna Lou Schaberg Foundation. Over the past few years, United Way has provided valuable support to this network, ensuring administrative oversight, and fostering significant accomplishments. We are proud of the progress and positive impact United Way helped achieve. WPT has grown and is now ready to evolve. The management and administration of the Workforce Partnership Team will transition from United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg to the staff running Network2WorkRVA (N2WRVA) at the Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA) effective July 1, 2024. An initiative of WorkforceCoalitionRVA, N2WRVA is currently housed and run by CCWA which is one of the WorkforceCoalitionRVA partners. N2WRVA has a well-established network provider group and is well-equipped to take on this role. We believe this transition will bring new opportunities for growth and collaboration, benefiting all involved. Many of the same members are part of WPT and the N2WRVA service provider group, and this integration will streamline our efforts, allowing us to better serve our community with a unified approach. United Way remains committed to the success of this network and will continue to play an active role as part of the WorkforceCoalitionRVA steering committee. For more information, click here.