From the President's Office

Hello and welcome to the United Way of Delaware web site!

United Way of Delaware (UWD) is the state’s largest non-profit fundraising organization. For more than 60 years, we have been serving the people of Delaware by partnering with and helping fund human service agencies in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties. Today, UWD collaborates with more than 120 groups whose combined services impact the lives of nearly every Delawarean.

But just as Delaware has changed in 60 years, so has UWD. In the past, some have known us primarily for the annual fundraising campaign. The campaign remains an important tool, but our primary goal is to lead state-wide efforts to eliminate the root causes of some of Delaware’s most pressing social problems.

This is consistent with UWD’s Strategic Plan. And while the plan has many moving parts, the goal is simple: eliminate the causes of Delaware’s most pressing social problems, don’t just treat the symptoms. To do this, UWD is collaborating with others to focus resources on five priorities we call Strategic Focus Areas:

• Success By 6™
  Education is the key to success. UWD wants every pre-schooler in Delaware to arrive in kindergarten ready to learn.
• Healthy and Independent Communities
  Staying healthy requires more than regular check-ups. It also requires access to medical transportation, nutrition, and services that enable independent living.
• Strong Families, Strong Children
  Happy families make happy children. But modern life is stressful. UWD wants to make it easier for Delaware’s children and families to thrive.
• Strong Neighborhoods
  It’s hard to succeed if your surroundings are failing. UWD wants to work with others to strengthen communities throughout Delaware.
• Financial Stability
  Every Delawarean deserves access to decent food and shelter.

By aligning some of its funding in support of these initiatives, by demonstrating leadership on these issues in the community, and by collaborating with both public and private organizations as well as concerned individuals, UWD will make meaningful improvements in all of these areas. We invite you to monitor our progress. And more importantly, we invite you to join this effort. Your volunteer time and talent are always welcome at United Way of Delaware. Please enjoy the web site, and please consider becoming part of this exciting work.

Michelle A. Taylor
President and Chief Executive Officer