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December 8, 2021 Giving Guide 2021

United Way of Central Massachusetts

Future Goals

1. Improve the lives of the citizens of Central Massachusetts by connecting people and resources in our community.

2. Increase revenue to support the ever-growing needs in our community, particularly as the COVID-19 crisis continues.

3. Support programs to improve the mental and physical health of residents of Central Massachusetts.  

4. Increase financial stability for families and individuals in need.

5. Strengthen the safety net available to meet the needs of vulnerable populations, with a particular focus on food insecurity and those experiencing homelessness.

6. Create opportunities for donor engagement and volunteerism around specific, timely issues.

7. Continue to fund gender-specific programs for girls ages 10 – 14 to reduce and prevent violence.

Giving Opportunities

The United Way of Central Massachusetts accepts online or mail-in donations year-round, and is thankful to all who give their time, talents, and treasure to help us in our mission to deliver lasting, positive impact in the communities of Central Massachusetts. Opportunities to contribute include: 

• YouthConnect: The United Way funded network of youth serving organizations that provide neighborhood-based recreational, educational, and cultural activities to underserved Worcester middle and high school-aged youth.

• Worcester Free Tax Coalition: Support this program’s IRS-trained volunteers who help low-income families take advantage of earned income and other available tax credits.

• Women’s Initiative: Fund gender specific programs for girls ages 10 – 14 to reduce and prevent violence.

• Holiday Wish List: Help those in need have a happy holiday season by donating items such as clothes, books, and toys or volunteering to serve meals or wrap presents.

Fundraising Opportunities

Women’s Initiative Stepping Up – The Women’s Initiative 19th Annual Stepping Up for Girls event will be held on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at the JMAC (Jean McDonough Arts Center) at 20 Franklin Street, Worcester from 5-7PM. For more information, please contact Emily McCann at emily.mccann@unitedwaycm.org

Women’s Initiative 5th Annual Power of the Purse – Power of the Purse will tentatively be held on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, from 5-7PM. Location TBD.  For more information, please contact Emily McCann at emily.mccann@unitedwaycm.org

102nd Annual Meeting and Community Celebration – For more information on the event or sponsorships available, please contact Ginger Conti at ginger.conti@unitedwaycm.org

Volunteer Opportunities

The United Way of Central Massachusetts improves the community by harnessing the power of volunteerism with a variety of short- and long-term opportunities.  A highlight is Day of Caring, our annual community volunteer day. The 28th Annual Day of Caring is scheduled for September 17, 2021.

Other opportunities to volunteer your time:

• Become a financial literacy mentor for middle school girls through the Women’s Initiative Dollar $cholar program. Learn more at https://unitedwaycm.org/donor-groups/what-we-do/

• Prepare tax returns for people with limited incomes through the Worcester Free Tax Service program. Learn more at
https://unitedwaycm.org/get-involved/volunteer/        

• Join a Women’s Initiative committee to support women’s leadership and empower adolescent girls. Learn more at:
https://unitedwaycm.org/donor-groups/become-a-member/

• WooServes is UWCM’s summer teen volunteer program.  Learn more at https://unitedwaycm.org/get-involved/wooserves/

UWCM’s volunteer website (volunteer.unitedwaycm.org) is a central location for all volunteer opportunities.

Post-Pandemic

The efficiency and speed with which we access and distribute much needed dollars into the community has dramatically increased during the pandemic and we will continue to be nimble and focused in our granting process.  Throughout the pandemic we have witnessed the power of lived experience to influence how we do our work and create community-based supports.  

MISSION STATEMENT

Connecting people and resources to improve the community.

United Way of Central Massachusetts

484 Main Street, Suite 300
Worcester, MA 01608

Phone: 508-757-5631 

unitedwaycm.org

Full-time employees: 12

Annual revenues: $12,689,021 

Year founded: 1920

Service area: Auburn, Barre, Boylston, Brookfield, Douglas, East Brookfield, East Douglas, Grafton, Holden, Hubbardston, Leicester, Millbury, New Braintree, Northborough, Northbridge, North Brookfield, Oakham, Oxford, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Shrewsbury, Spencer, Sterling, Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge, West Boylston, West Brookfield, and Worcester

Top funding sources

1. Workplace campaigns, consisting of individual donors

2. Foundation support 

3. Corporate contributions

Board of Directors

Timothy J. Garvin, President & CEO

Naomi Sleeper, Imperial Distributors, Board Chair

Kola Akindele, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Che Anderson, UMass Medical School

Patrick Baliva, Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc.

Maureen Binienda, Worcester Public Schools

Joseph Carlson, Central MA Labor Council

Matilde Castiel, MD, City of Worcester

Jeffrey Chin 

Therese Day, UMass Memorial Medical Center

Sheilah H. Dooley, Pernet Family Health Services, Inc., Clerk

John Esler, Esler Family Foundation

Joseph M. Hamilton, Esq., Mirick O’Connell

Deborah Larson, Wells Fargo Bank

Daniel Mastrototaro, The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.

Representative James J. O’Day, 14th Worcester District

Elizabeth Oluokun, Unum

Luis G. Pedraja, Quinsigamond Community College

Gina Plata-Nino, Central West Justice Center, Community Legal Aid

Alexander Richardson, Worcester Red Sox

Naomi Sleeper, Imperial Distributors, Chair

Brian Sullivan, Berkshire Bank

Rev. Clyde Talley, Belmont A.M.E. Zion Church, Treasurer

John C. (JT) Tanacea, Bank of America

Elizabeth Vittum, Chair, Women’s Initiative

Christopher Watson, Webster Five

Edward H. White, National Grid, Chair-elect