United Way of King County

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United Way of King County

We work to ensure our neighbors have access to food, housing, and education right here in King County. Interested in learning more? Volunteering? Donating?
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Follow this link to get connected:
https://www.uwkc.org/linklist/social-media-hub/ United Way of King County brings caring people together to give, volunteer and take action to help people in need and solve our community's toughest challenges. www.uwkc.org

09/17/2026

Mark your calendars! We're leaning into the power of community and bringing people together to support our nonprofit partners, network with one another, and learn from local leaders.

Volunteer: El Centro de la Raza gala preparation
Learn: Conversations for Change webinar
Network: Happy Hour & Hellos young professionals networking event

We hope to see you at an event soon! Visit UWKC.org/events/ to RSVP!

09/14/2026

What does the future of higher education look like, and what makes a college education worth the cost? 🎓

In his monthly feature on our podcast Hourglass, CEO Blair Taylor explored the challenges facing the American education system, from skyrocketing tuition and shifting public funding to the growing need for 21st-century skills and meaningful human connection.

But he also highlighted what education can uniquely provide: lifelong networks, a passion for learning and the humility to recognize how much there is still to learn.

At United Way of King County, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to reach their potential. From preparing young children for kindergarten through ParentChild+, to helping college students stay enrolled through Bridge to Finish, we’re working to remove the barriers that stand between students and opportunity.

What would it take to make higher education more accessible and preserve the things that make it valuable?
Join the conversation, and learn more about how we’re building pathways to opportunity across King County.

09/10/2026

Making tax season more accessible starts with breaking down barriers. 💙

Through our partnerships with Seattle Credit Union and Express Credit Union, we’re connecting people with tax preparation *and* financial services in one place, making it easier for ITIN filers to get the support they need.

Last year, United Way of King County prepared 30% of Washington’s VITA/TCE returns and 70% of ITIN filer returns statewide. ITIN filing can be complex, time-consuming, and costly for low-income households. Integrated services can help make the process simpler and more accessible.

We recently shared this work at the Bank On Washington Conference in Tacoma, alongside our partners, showing what’s possible when we bring our expertise and resources together around a shared purpose. 🤝

09/09/2026

Back to school just got a little brighter for 50,000+ Seattle students! 🍎

This school year, every student in Seattle Public Schools can get free breakfast and lunch at school (no application, no income requirements, no stigma). That means more kids can start their day ready to learn, families can save roughly $120+ per month per child on groceries, and students can focus on what matters most: being kids and being in school.

This is a BIG win!! One that we and our partners have spent years advocating for.

Together, we're working to ensure every kid has what they need to thrive. Read more about why universal school meals matter on our blog!

09/01/2026

Field trip! Our staff went to Portland last week for the United Way Western Regional Conference. United Ways from 15 states were represented, bringing together more than 400 colleagues. What an incredible opportunity to collaborate with our network, learn from one another, and explore new strategies to better serve our community here in King County.

Plus, staff from our team led daily sessions! Shout out to our Free Tax Team, Education Team, and Food Security Teams for sharing our local learnings with others.

Together, we’re more bold, resilient, and transformative!

08/26/2026

Back in 2023, our former CEO Gordon McHenry and other regional United Way leaders got to meet Dolly Parton as they all celebrated the statewide expansion of Washington’s Imagination Library Initiative. We will miss you, Dolly, and we're grateful to your commitment to early literacy access!

Thanks to United Way of Snohomish County for the photo. From left to right: Gordon McHenry, former CEO, United Way of King County; Maya Hemachandra, former Interim President & CEO, United Way of Snohomish County; Dona Syes Ponepinto, President and CEO, United Way of Pierce County; Dolly Parton; Omoyie Kinney, EVP, Chief Marketing Officer, United Way Worldwide; and Jarrett Brunny, Vice President, Community Impact, United Way of Pierce County.

08/18/2026

For youth facing a housing crisis, the right support at the right moment can change a life trajectory.

That’s why the Homelessness Prevention and Diversion Fund (HPDF)—a new public-private partnership bringing flexible, immediate support to young people before a housing crisis becomes homelessness—is so important.

The Homelessness Prevention and Diversion Fund is built on a simple but powerful idea: young people are the experts in their own lives. Instead of asking them to navigate systems that weren’t designed for them, HPDF gives young people the resources and flexibility to overcome the barriers standing between them and stable housing.

This program rethinks how we prevent homelessness and explores what’s possible when philanthropy, government, community organizations, and trusted partners come together around a shared goal.

We’re grateful to the Washington Acceleration Fund for leading this effort, with funding from the Raikes Foundation, Schultz Family Foundation, and Campion Advocacy Fund. We’re also proud to partner again with Building Changes, with a funding commitment from the City of Seattle, led by Councilmember Dionne Foster.

Together, we can invest earlier, listen to young people, and build systems that work for everyone.

08/17/2026

Every single Monday for more than two years, our Director of Storytelling and Public Relations Joe Burris has posted a podcast at 7 a.m.

Featuring local, national, and international leaders (like Attorney General Nick Brown, COMMUNION Chef Kristi Brown, and Author Timothy Snyder), his podcast pulls together experts across sectors and sides to talk about one thing: how we spend our time at United Way. Whether it's confronting social issues, investing your generous gifts in community, or learning about our shifting world, Joe brings listeners in on the conversations that shape our community.

In addition to Monday’s podcast, we publish new blogs every Tuesday and a new Substack every Wednesday. In the 131st episode of Hourglass, Joe highlighted the power of storytelling and how it can impact social change.

Listen to 'Hourglass: A United Way of King County Podcast' wherever you listen! Links to the blog, Substack, and podcast in the bio.

08/14/2026

really chic if you ask us...

And to think, we’re not even scratching the surface here. To learn more, follow along or check the link in our bio🤓

08/10/2026

We’ve just extended $5,000 scholarships to this year's Blake Nordstrom Scholarship recipients!

In partnership with Nordstrom, we created the Blake Nordstrom Scholarship—in memory of the respected community leader, philanthropist, and co-president of Nordstrom—which awards scholarships to 20 students enrolled at any of our Benefits Hub Partner Colleges. The money can be used for housing, food, debt, or healthcare to keep students on track to earn their degree.

Together, we’re keeping students on track to graduate.🧑‍🎓

Address

720 Second Avenue
Seattle, WA
98104

Telephone

+12064615005

Website

http://www.uwkc.org/

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