From HardshipTo Hope

You’ve heard of us. Now understand what we do.

For more than 100 years, Metro United Way has been improving lives and our community, which includes Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham, and Shelby counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd, and Harrison counties in Indiana. We are uniquely positioned to harness the power of donors, volunteers, thought leaders, experts, other nonprofits, and government at all levels to ensure positive, sustainable change for every person in our seven-county region. Now more than ever, we are focused on three priorities: thriving kids, strong households, and an equitable community. We invite you to join us and be a part of transforming Greater Louisville.

2024 Impact Report

See the incredible impact we made TOGETHER!

View Impact Report Here

OUR PRIORITIES

VIDEO

From HARDSHIP
To HOPE

…for Every Child, Every Family, Every Neighborhood.
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This work is being done through NEW, innovative initiatives such as

  •

    FundBLACKFounders

    In response to the lack of capital and resources, FundBLACKFounders was founded and helps Black entrepreneurs raise capital by offering support and training to grow their businesses, providing access to crowdfunding platform and matching grants to what is raised.

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  • United Neighborhoods

    Our neighborhood model prioritizes resident-driven priorities, strategies and solutions for investment, and understands that sustained neighborhood change requires listening to residents, authentic relationship-building, significant investment, and a long-term commitment.

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  • Young Men United

    Young Men United is designed to create barrier-free pathways for young Black men to reach their academic and career goals by bringing wrap-around supports to youth in our community to and through college graduation.

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  • Black L.O.V.E.

    Black L.O.V.E. (Live. Own. Vote. Excel.) Philanthropic Partnership utilizes strategic guidance and leadership of Black leaders and philanthropic partners. The partnership structure provides a collaborative opportunity to pool philanthropic resources and collective thought leadership.

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  • YALift!

    YALift! is a guaranteed income pilot program to empower young adults to forge their own path toward financial security.

    Learn More

Along with existing programs and initiatives like

We serve Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham, and Shelby counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd, and Harrison counties in Indiana.

Impact Map

Click and zoom in for details of where our work is located

Why this work is important to our community’s success

  • Louisville ranks 5th in the nation for concentrated poverty

  • Kentucky is the 7th poorest state in the country; Indiana has the 20th highest poverty rate

  • There is a 12-year life expectancy gap between East and West Louisville

  • Homelessness has increased by 41% from 2018 to 2021 in Louisville

  • 1 in 5 families in MUW’s 7-county region struggle to make ends meet

  • Kentucky ranks 40th in the country in child wellbeing; Indiana ranks 24th

  • 22% of Kentucky children and 16% of Indiana children live in poverty

  • In 2019, the poverty rate for African Americans in Louisville was around 26%, compared to approximately 10% for white residents

  • When compared to peer cities, Louisville’s nonprofit organizations receive less support from several key sources.

    Source: 2023 Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNPE) “State of Nonprofit Sector” report

  • High-income households give less and our local government is spending less to address challenges than local governments in other cities.

    Source: 2023 Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNPE) “State of Nonprofit Sector” report

  • If those who make more than $200,000/year raised their annual giving by simply 1% of their total income – that would put Louisville on par with our peer cities for individual giving – and bring in an additional $80 million a year.

    Source: 2023 Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNPE) “State of Nonprofit Sector” report

2024 Highlights

  • Read our full 2024 Impact Report

    View

  • 884 family engagement kids and 1,400 developmental play kits distributed to parents and pediatricians

  • 24,000 diapers collected during Day of Action

  • 223 beds built for kids in need

  • 817 children screened through our Ages & Stages Developmental Screening Hub

  • 43,000 books distributed through our Little Free Libraries

  • 249 individuals received financial coaching to increase income, savings, and credit scores and decrease debt

  • 36 families in southern Indiana moved towards homeownership

  • 21,896 individuals connected to resources through our 2-1-1 helpline

  • 161 college scholarships given to young men of color

  • 35 youth taken on HCBU college tours

  • 22 Black-led nonprofits received in-depth training and financial support

  • 41,413 impact kits created and distributed to 91 nonprofit partners

 

View our Impact Tracker to learn more

 

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