Throughout our history, United Way has done extraordinary work to improve people’s lives and build strong communities. With our focus on community impact, United Way has a key role to play in advocating for good public policy. Without community input, our priorities in Education, Financial Stability, Health and Basic Needs will lose critical government policy and funding support.

Join the cause. Make your voice heard. Create real change.

Policy change can be big or small. It can be petitioning your school board to require healthier cafeteria meals. It can be urging your government to invest more in schools, or make child tax credits permanent, or make more children eligible for health insurance. Or it can be mobilizing your contacts to speak out on a critical cause, in person or online.

United Way galvanizes people to speak out for change.  We’re amplifying individuals’ voices on important community issues. As the largest privately-funded nonprofit in the world, we provide a platform for people to take meaningful action that makes a difference.

United Way’s Policy Work

United Way also gives voice to community solutions at the national level.  Our public policy agenda for the 114th Congress focuses on causes that matter to you…

Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Congress is updating the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (most recently reauthorized as No Child Left Behind). An update of this important law is long overdue. This letter, addressed to the leaders of the Senate Education Committee, describes the priorities United Way would like to see included in the new bill.

Tax Reform
As Congress contemplates an overhaul of the tax code, United Way is weighing in to on solutions that create more opportunity for children, families and communities.  Tax policies that advance the common good include: charitable giving incentives, the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.  Check out United Way’s submission to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee outlining our priorities in reform.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
VITA leverages volunteer power so that millions of Americans can access free quality tax preparation, asset-building resources and financial education services. We’re asking Congress to shore up support for this vital public-private partnership to build financial stability in communities around the country.  Check out the sign-on letter we led with CFED and a recent Huffington Post piece by our U.S. President, Stacey D. Stewart.

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
The Children’s Health Insurance Program provides health and financial security to eight million children and pregnant women. It serves families who work and earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford private health insurance. With you help, Congress extended CHIP for another two years. United Way will remain engaged on this issue until every child has the health care he or she needs to be reading to succeed.

Human Trafficking Legislation
As Congress considers a path forward for anti-trafficking legislation, United Way calls on U.S. Senators to reach a bipartisan compromise on the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, legislation that would crack down on human traffickers in communities across the country while bringing about greater restitution and justice for victims. Read United Way CEO Brian Gallagher’s letter to the U.S. Senate.