The nonprofit organization also announced its three new impact areas

Jacksonville, Fla. (Oct. 22, 2025) — United Way of Northeast Florida announced today its new strategic plan, which outlines goals the organization plans to accomplish by 2030. The announcement was made at the Jessie Ball duPont Center to a crowd of more than 100 partners, donors and volunteers, who also learned about the organization’s three new impact areas: healthy community, financial security and youth opportunity.

Founded more than 100 years ago in 1924, United Way envisions a community of opportunity where everyone has hope and can reach their full potential. Its mission is to solve our community’s toughest challenges by connecting people, resources and ideas. After months of research and planning, United Way seeks to accomplish the following goals by 2030:

•  Increase successful United Way 211, 988 Florida Lifeline and Mission United resource referrals by 50% as well as close the loop on referrals to know which callers received the support they needed and follow up with those who didn’t
• 5,000 more young adults employed in jobs earning a wage that enables them to survive and thrive
• 450 senior-owned homes repaired and made more energy efficient

According to the most recent ALICE Report, nearly 40% of households in Northeast Florida struggle to make ends meet. Approximately 12% of these households live in poverty, and 28% of households are defined as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). ALICE families earn above the Federal Poverty Level but less than the basic cost of living for their community. ALICE families are typically those working one or more low-wage jobs with little or no savings and are often overlooked and undercounted by traditional poverty measures. Moreover, ALICE data reveals over 50% of senior households and 60% of young adult households live below the ALICE threshold in our region.

United Way’s new strategic plan goals are grounded in what the organization is calling its new ALICE Promise. The ALICE Promise states:

We promise to develop and invest in community-driven solutions that address root causes of financial instability for all families living below the ALICE threshold. Through this work, we will increase upward mobility, access to essential services and community well-being for all.

“At United Way of Northeast Florida, our mission has always been to help people thrive,” said Melanie Patz, president and CEO. “Our new strategic plan, ALICE Promise and goals sharpen that focus, guiding us to create an even greater impact in our community and ensure everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”

Since its founding, United Way of Northeast Florida has brought together donors, partners and volunteers to help local individuals and families reach their full potential. The organization is one of 28 United Ways in Florida and serves the needs of residents in Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties. United Way provides direct services to individuals and families as well as grants to nonprofits who can help advance United Way’s mission.

Services provided by United Way include Mission United (Veteran care coordination), RealSense (free tax preparation through the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program), Achievers For Life (drop-out prevention initiative) and housing support (home repairs, heirs rights resolution, homeownership development loan fund and CDC capacity-building).

The organization is also the administrative arm of Full Service Schools (mental health care and wrap-around services for Duval County public school students) and the Eviction Diversion Program (housing stabilization). United Way is also the local operator of the free 211 information and referral hotline (connection to community resources) and the 988 Florida Lifeline (suicide and mental health crisis intervention), both of which serve an additional four counties in Northeast Florida: Columbia, Hamilton, Putnam and Suwannee.

United Way also distributes millions of dollars raised annually through fundraising efforts to local nonprofit and grassroots organizations to advance community goals. For example, in a recent grant cycle, United Way awarded $4.4 million to 35 organizations in the areas of food access, housing stability, education and workforce development. After planning meetings with their Community Investments Council and partners in each of the organization’s new impact areas, United Way anticipates launching a request for proposals for new grant cycles in the spring.

“Our partners are truly at the heart of our work,” said United Way’s vice president of community impact, James Ellout. “From nonprofits and schools to businesses and government leaders, their collaboration, insight and commitment make it possible for us to tackle the biggest challenges facing our community. We simply cannot achieve our goals or create lasting impact without these vital relationships.”

For more information on this strategic plan or to request an interview with United Way leadership, please contact Sarah Henderson Daugherty, vice president of marketing and communications, at sarahd@nulluwnefl.org or 904-300-8366 (call or text). More information on United Way can be found online at unitedwaynefl.org.

“United isn’t just in their name,” said David Clark, executive director of Downtown Ecumenical Services Council (DESC), who spoke at today’s announcement. “It’s how they work.”

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