mission
United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley brings the community together to help improve people's lives and strengthen the neighborhoods in our region.
This focus has not changed, but what has and will change are the needs of the community and its people. Therefore, the focus of our work — not the mission of our organization — has and will change in response. This perspective and ability to unite and apply resources where they are needed most is what makes us uniquely valuable to the community.
vision
The Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley region will be the best place for children in the country.
And we know that the best way to improve the future for our children is to both strengthen the financial security of their parents today and ensure that kids are getting the nurturing support and educational opportunities that will prepare them for adulthood. So, when we talk about the Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley region becoming the most child-and-youth-centered region by 2015, this is what we mean. It's not just an issue about children, it is an issue for all of us who believe that social and economic opportunity should be accessible to everyone.
who we help
We unite communities to ensure that our neighborhoods remain vibrant, and that all families in 87 cities and towns across our footprint have the tools and support to become self-sufficient, the assets so that each child grows up healthy, and the resources for their communities to remain vibrant.
why united way
Many people have specific causes, issues and institutions they passionately support. And they should. Donations of this type bring great personal satisfaction. But a gift to United Way adds unique value to anyone's charitable giving in a deep and integral way. United Way extends the reach of giving because we invest in agencies that many people are not likely to learn of on their own. And because all our funding is contingent upon a rigorous review process that ensures each agency we support upholds the highest degree of operations, management and governance, our donors are assured their gifts are well invested. In return, agencies continually become stronger and ever more able to maximize their impact on individuals, on communities and on the strength of our region.