Future Goals
United Way of Central Massachusetts (UWCM) is advancing a transformational journey focused on impact, relevance, and sustainability to ensure all can thrive in our community. In this fiscal year, we will:
• Strengthen community resilience through collaboration, partnerships, and coordinated responses to emerging needs.
• Increase access to nutritious food, housing supports, and essential health resources for vulnerable populations.
• Expand opportunities for youth to thrive through education, mentorship, workforce readiness, and volunteerism.
• Advance financial security by supporting pathways to economic mobility and family stability.
• Invest in collaborative solutions that address root causes and create lasting community impact.
• Deepen community engagement through meaningful volunteer opportunities and civic participation.
• Reinforce relationships with donors, volunteers, businesses, foundations, and community partners.
• Increase awareness of community needs and United Way’s role as a trusted convener, collaborator, and catalyst for change.
Fundraising Opportunities
We’re excited to announce the inaugural United Way of Central Massachusetts Half marathon (The Mass Half), coming Spring 2027. This signature community event will unite runners, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters in a shared commitment to improving lives while raising critical unrestricted funds to strengthen our region.
We also continue to lead the nation’s longest-standing workplace campaign tradition, offering customized corporate giving and employee engagement opportunities that strengthen businesses while creating lasting community impact.
Additional signature fundraising events include our Women’s Initiative Stepping Up for Girls, Power of the Purse, and the annual Community Impact Showcase, celebrating local leadership and demonstrating the measurable impact of donor investments.
With rising community needs and continued funding uncertainty, every sponsorship, registration, and donation helps ensure UWCM can continue connecting people and resources to improve our community.
To learn more about sponsorships and fundraising opportunities, contact leah.larson@unitedwaycm.org.
Giving Opportunities
Community needs don’t follow a calendar, which is why flexible support is so important. At United Way of Central Massachusetts, we bring people and resources together to address immediate challenges while investing in long-term solutions that strengthen our community.
Our winter and spring annual appeals provide critical funding, and online donations are welcomed year-round. We also seek sponsorships, in-kind contributions, and community partnerships that help advance our work across Youth Opportunity, Healthy Community, Financial Security, and Community Resilience.
This past year demonstrated the power of collective action. Through the United Response Fund, donors, businesses, foundations, and community partners pooled resources to help families navigate the SNAP crisis and other emerging challenges. By aligning support and directing it where it is needed most, we were able to maximize community impact.
Unrestricted gifts to UWCM’s Community Impact Fund are especially valuable because they allow us to respond quickly to emerging needs, invest in innovative solutions, convene partners, support community engagement initiatives, and strengthen the network of services that helps Central Massachusetts thrive.
Every donation helps build a stronger, more connected, and more resilient community.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteerism is at the heart of UWCM’s mission to build a stronger, more resilient Central Massachusetts. Through our Volunteer Center, we connect individuals, schools, and businesses with meaningful opportunities to give back year-round.
Our Day of Action, the region’s largest volunteer event, mobilizes more than 1,000 volunteers each September to complete dozens of nonprofit-led projects throughout Central Massachusetts. Businesses can participate through employee volunteer teams, while individuals can sign up independently.
Volunteers are also needed year-round through our online Volunteer Center, which matches community members with opportunities based on their interests, skills, and availability.
The Women’s Initiative seeks volunteer mentors for its Dollar Scholar program, helping girls ages 9–14 build financial literacy, confidence, and life skills. We also continue to see growing interest in youth service opportunities. This year, WooServes received 100 applications from high school students eager to spend part of their summer giving back to the community.
Whether you can volunteer for a single project or make a longer-term commitment, there is an opportunity to make a difference.
To learn more, contact Idaliana.Medina@unitedwaycm.org.
Che Anderson, UMass Chan Medical School, Chair Elect; Interim Clerk
Kathryn Behan, McLean Hospital, Women’s Initiative Chair
Tim Garvin, United Way of Central Massachusetts, Ex Officio
Elizabeth Helenius, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, Chair
Rev. Clyde Talley, Belmont A.M.E Zion Church, Treasurer
Christopher Watson, Webster Five, Community Impact Committee Chair
Edward H. White, Consigli Construction, Co., Development Committee
Board members
Jill Adams, HeroDevs, Inc.
Brian Allen, Worcester Public Schools
Doug Belanger, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1445
Joseph Carlson, Central Mass Labor Council
Kelly Daige, Skanska USA Building
Muthukumaran Jeevanantham, Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc.
Dr. Aarti Madan, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Dan Mastrototaro, The Hanover Insurance Group
Victoria McCandless, UMass Memorial Health
Kay McNamara, Holy Cross Alumni
Sherri Pitcher, Notre Dame Academy
Gina Plata-Nino, Food Research & Action Center
Alex Richardson, The BASE
Geoffrey Spofford, Lian Zarrow
Dr. Greg Weiner, Assumption University
