2026 Impact Agenda & Grant Strategy
The mission of United Way of York County (UWYC) is to assist working households in our community on their journey toward financial stability by collaboratively and equitably reducing barriers to prosperity.
Our Vision is an equitably thriving York County.
In keeping with our vision of creating an equitably thriving York County, UWYC has adopted our 2026 Impact Agenda, which will utilize the Results-Based Accountability (RBA) Framework to determine success. This simple and straightforward method of approaching and evaluating our work utilizes an equity lens and asks three questions:
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How much did we do?
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How well are we doing it?
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How many people are better off?
ALICE in York County
In 2026, we will create conditions for 10,000 households living below the ALICE threshold (ALICE + poverty) to move towards financial security.
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These individuals represent 26% of York County and are often one financial emergency away from slipping into poverty. When you include the 9% of York County residents already in poverty, you see that 35% of York County residents are living below the ALICE threshold. Utilizing statistical data from United for ALICE, we're able to help move our community from survival to stability. For more detailed data on ALICE budgets, visit unitedforalice.org/household-budgets/Pennsylvania
York County ALICE Survival Budget (2023)
York County ALICE Stability Budget (2023)
How do we work toward an equitable approach to impact?
An equitable impact agenda builds on our existing strategy, which defines key areas of focus, goals, strategies, programs, and desired outcomes. However, this agenda takes it further by placing equity at the core of every step.
This approach begins with listening to community members to understand their challenges. From there, we set meaningful goals, develop effective strategies, and monitor progress to ensure fair and lasting results. These listening sessions include Neighbors United Focus Groups and regular communication with grant applicants and recipients.
As part of this commitment, UWYC will open grant applications to York County nonprofits supporting the 35% of residents living below the ALICE threshold.
2026 Impact Agenda
Our Grantmaking Philosophy
We seek applications that:
- Align with our mission and vision: We will award grants for community solutions that equitably reduce the barrier that childcare and transportation pose for households living below the ALICE threshold.
- Are bold and simple: We know that the most effective interventions are often the simplest. Our funds are intended to support projects that have proven success in meeting ALICE households where they are.
- Value engagement and communication: Our Impact Agenda was created out of years of listening to our community. We invite applicants to engage in an ongoing, open conversation with UWYC to develop solutions for long-term change.
Who is Eligible to Apply
- Organizations must be a registered 501c3 nonprofit, or government agency
- Organizations must have been in operation for at least two complete fiscal years
- Organizations must serve residents of York County, Pennsylvania
- Individual grant opportunities may require additional documentation
Spring: ECE Center Scholarship Grant
February 23: Grant Opens
March 13: Grant Closes
March 23: Funding Decisions
April 1 Funding Distributed
Summer: Ride United Micro Grants
May 1: Grant Opens
May 29: Grant Closes
June 29: Funding Decisions
July 1: Funding Distributed
Fall: Transportation Referral Partnership Grant
August 3: Grant Opens
September 11: Grant Closes
October 26: Funding Decisions
November 1: Funding Distributed