Our Work

United Way of Pioneer Valley fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our community. We are more than fund-raisers. We are hand-raisers. We raise our hands not only to lead the fight, but to reach out to people who need help. We win by living united. By forging unlikely partnerships. By finding new solutions to old problems.

WE ARE

TEAM BUILDERS

We bring together non-profits, businesses, governmental agencies, and municipal departments to address common issues. Examples include: Thrive Financial Success Centers and Holyoke Early Learning Initiative.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS

We provide support for complex systems, such as extensive guidance from a professional evaluator for grantees and volunteer program management/engagement for corporations.

CAPACITY BUILDERS

We assist non-profits to enhance their operations so they can better serve their clients, for example: Evaluation preparation for Education/Health grants, Americorps VISTA member support for the regional Addiction Task Forces.

A PUBLIC CHARITY

We can accept and leverage funding from public and private sources outside the region—such as Department of Housing and Community Development and Federal Emergency Management Agency— to support local services.

ADVOCATES

We act as the voice for non-profits and other businesses through our policy work. For example: Homelessness, VITA low-income free tax preparation, high school dropout prevention.

FISCAL SPONSORS

We serve as the fiscal sponsor for several entities, such as the Western Mass Network to End Homelessness, National Education Association, FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program, Secure Jobs, and Healing Racism.

TALENT CULTIVATORS

As an organization led by volunteers, we identify talented professionals from local businesses to support a wide range of projects—both short-term and long-term commitments— for non-profit organizations throughout Hampden County, Granby, and South Hadley.

VOLUNTEER CONNECTORS

Through our online service, we engage thousands of volunteers of all ages annually to projects that provide meaningful service hours for Day of Caring, special company/employee volunteer events, grant reviewers, and Youth Generate. Last year, the estimated value of this service to our community was more than $600,000.