Racial Equity
Driving racial equity through a collaborative approach to community-building
The Challenge
Our focus on racial equity is fueled by the pressing need for substantial and transformative systemic change. Persistent disparities within our community underscore this urgency.
The insights from United Way's 2024 ALICE Report shed light on the racial disparities of financial hardship, hindering Black and Hispanic households in their ability to reach their full potential. This emphasizes our pivotal role of empowering organizations and nurturing leaders to forge pathways for marginalized communities.
The Goal
Our overarching objective is to eliminate deep disparities and systemic inequities limiting our communities of color.
The Solution
At United Way, we prioritize strategies identified through our 2023 Racial Equity Needs Assessment to address disparities and systemic inequities limiting communities of color. In collaboration with community members and partners, we strive to foster lasting positive change and champion equity for all individuals.
Racial Equity Community Needs Assessment
In 2023, with generous support from Miller Electric Company, United Way of Northeast Florida conducted a Community Equity Needs Assessment in collaboration with 904WARD and the University of North Florida.
The assessment sought to examine community needs in Northeast Florida and identify gaps with a racial equity lens. Disparities were found in several priority areas, including education, homeownership and affordable housing, income and poverty, crime, safety and health care.
To begin to address some of these challenges, United Way of Northeast Florida launched the Racial Equity Microgrants initiative in Spring 2024 through innovative partnerships with community groups, nonprofits and grassroots entities focused on youth development. For more information about this report and grant opportunities, email James Ellout, United Way’s vice president of community impact.
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