United Way awards third year of grant funding to 100+ organizations
PITTSBURGH (Sept. 18, 2025) – United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania has awarded $6.69 million through the third and final year of its current Multi-Year Grants cycle. These ongoing investments allow United Way partner agencies breathing room to focus on serving their constituents and improving quality of life. Last year, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania distributed about $38.4 million in human services funding, including grants designated to specific agencies, targeted and rapid response funding streams, and for organizing thousands of volunteers and operating the 211 help line for 30 counties. Through these programs, United Way provided assistance to 1.48 million people last year.
“With 50,000 donors contributing to United Way each year, we have a significant responsibility to invest in the most innovative and effective agencies providing much-needed support to the community. Our grant evaluation process involves more than 100 community members, donors and experts, making it one of the most robust and engaging in the region,” said United Way President & CEO Bobbi Watt Geer, Ph.D.
About the Multi-Year Grants cycle: In 2023, after a highly competitive and rigorous evaluation process, United Way awarded three-year grants to human services nonprofits serving Armstrong, Allegheny, Butler, Fayette and Westmoreland counties. Nearly 120 volunteers and subject matter experts collaborated with United Way’ s Community Impact staff to evaluate grant requests from 370 nonprofit agencies for the current Multi-Year Grant cycle, which concludes in 2026.
More than 100 highly competitive proposals were ultimately selected for funding and have received ongoing support from United Way. In addition to funding, partner agencies have access to professional development, convenings, advocacy and networking through United Way. Renewal of Multi-Year Grants is not guaranteed: each year, United Way staff and its Impact Cabinet of community volunteers engage with partner agencies and review reports to determine if funding will be renewed. United Way’s board makes the final funding decisions.
United Way also offers additional grants year-round through funding streams including targeted and rapid response grants. These make it possible for United Way to address emerging community needs. In 2024-2025, 80 grants totaling $802,150 were awarded to 75 organizations through United Way funding streams such as digital access for all, College Emergency Financial Assistance, the Falk Facilities and Improvement Fund, Community Food Solutions and Free Tax Prep programs.
Some agencies receive investments through multiple United Way funding streams. Applications for the next Multi-Year Grant cycle open January 2026. More information will soon be available on the United Way website. Awards from other United Way funding streams, such as Community Food Solutions and Beyond the Classroom, will be announced on a rolling basis as our investments in these agencies are awarded. Later this year, United Way will begin recruiting volunteer evaluators to take part in the application review process. Up to 200 reviewers will be needed.
“We encourage everyone who cares about this community to consider volunteering as an evaluator. The experience is a master class in human services, and reviewers come away amazed at the talent, ingenuity and drive of the agencies we fund,” said Watt Geer.