Community Change Collaboratives bring together people from a variety of sectors — public, private, nonprofit, foundation and education — to generate innovative and real-world solutions to challenges that affect a wide cross-section of our communities. United Way leads these initiatives with the goal of providing the greatest impact with measurable results. We cannot do this alone: our partners represent a multitude of community stakeholders, and we actively seek funding partners to invest along with us to make these collaborations possible. These are our signature community impact initiatives.
The Alliance for Access and Assets: Building Financial Power Together
The Alliance for Access and Assets is a coalition of Pittsburgh-area organizations working to increase the financial security of people with disabilities, who may face significant barriers to financial stability and accumulating wealth. United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania now leads the coalition, with more than 100 local government and community-based organizations in its membership. The alliance hosts meetings and speakers and works to connect people with disabilities to resources and information about housing, workforce development, asset building and employment.
College Emergency Financial Assistance Coalition
First-generation college students are more likely to be low-income and borrow more to pay for college. Nontraditional students also face barriers to enrollment and completion. To help overcome barriers to completing their degrees, the College Emergency Financial Assistance fund provides financial assistance for non-tuition and non-room and board-based costs, such as rent, utilities, child care and transportation including car repairs. United Way works closely with local colleges and universities to distribute these funds to and increase the likelihood of graduation and the well-being that comes with rewarding and well-paying work. Our partners include AHN School of Nursing, Butler County Community College, Carlow University, Community College of Allegheny County, Duquesne University, Penn State University Fayette at the Eberly Campus, Slippery Rock University and Westmoreland County Community College.
Community Food Solutions
United Way supports programs that address food security in our area. Community Food Solutions provides mini grants three times a year to local, grassroots organizations and groups that are addressing food insecurity and have expertise in the unique needs of their neighborhoods. A Community Food Solutions Steering Committee, made up of leading organizations in the field, provides grantees with resource connections and technical assistance.
Digital Access for All
Internet access is now a basic need. By supporting and promoting digital access for all, United Way addresses access to affordable internet service, digital devices and digital skills training through our Digital Navigator Network. We partner with community organizations and connect people through our 211 helpline to the digital resources they need. We are working with local government, the private sector and community organizations to explore and close gaps in broadband infrastructure in our region, and help people overcome barriers to getting online.
Free Tax Prep
Led by the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the Free Tax Prep Coalition provides free tax preparation services at more than 20 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites and ensures that as many people as possible keep what they earn through programs such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credits. Scheduling is run through the PA 211 Southwest call center and connects taxpayers to other relevant resources and services. Free Tax Prep creates real financial benefit for families in our region working hard for low wages. Since 2009, our 3,545 Free Tax Prep volunteers and our self-serve MyFreeTaxes.org website have completed 120,500 tax returns at no cost to taxpayers. From 2009 to 2024, Free Tax Prep has generated approximately $198.6 million in refunds and saved $26.9 million in tax prep fees regionally.
Learn more about Free Tax Prep
Thriving Providers Project
Since 2021, United Way has led pilot guaranteed income programs designed to help people overcome financial hardship and move to long-term economic stability. In 2025, United Way launched the Thriving Providers Project in Allegheny County in partnership with Home Grown and Trying Together. Home-based child care is the most prevalent child care placement for infants and toddlers nationwide and supports families who work nontraditional or unpredictable work schedules. It’s also the option that families with young children prefer most.
However, home-based child care providers who are often relatives of the families they serve, often face significant financial barriers and hardship. Through this program a small group of home-based child care providers now receive payments of $250 twice a month for 18 months. Providers are also offered other resources through United Way. The goal of the Thriving Providers Project is to demonstrate how stabilizing the economic well-being of home-based child care providers helps children and the community thrive.