How You Can Help

You want to help the people of Tampa Bay, but are unsure of where and how to start.

You have come to the right place. United Way offers three immediate and impactful ways to make a difference in your community. It is very simple and you can participate at any level of commitment.

First, you can make a cash donation. Any amount makes a huge contribution because United Way leverages your dollars with corporate gifts, foundation grants and other generous sources to multiply the value and do more for the community. By clicking on the GIVE button at the top of the page, you can make a easy cash donation from your credit or debit card. It only takes a few minutes, but you could make a lifetime change in the life of a child, an unemployed neighbor, a disabled veteran or lonely senior.

Second, you can volunteer. Your service is translated into doing good through doing work – and this work is rewarding and pleasant. At hundreds of sites throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, Hands On Tampa Bay volunteers are painting, cleaning, feeding, clothing and doing good things for people in need. You’ll bring energy and enthusiasm to places that need your mind and your muscle. You will meet like-minded volunteers who will enrich your life while you enrich the lives of those around you. By investing a few hours, a day or several days a month, you will transform Tampa Bay into a more caring and conforting community. Click on the VOLUNTEER button at the top of the page to get started.

Third, you can be an advocate – inspiring others to step up and make a difference in their world. United Way partners, just like you, need to let others know of the good work being done right here, right now. Advocating is simply letting others know you care, you contribute and you know that you are making positive things happen in Tampa Bay. For some, it will be word-of-mouth. For others it will be sharing your story on Facebook or Twitter. For others it will mean writing a letter to the editor or speaking up in a community forum to tell others how each and everyone can make things better for all. When you click on the ADVOCATE button at the top of this page, you will be given specific ideas on how you can share your story giving and volunteering with United Way.

Give. Advocate. Volunteer. Each action creates a reaction that benefits the common good in Tampa Bay. You can help and through United Way, will multiply the effort.

United Way Highlights and Achievements

United Way Highlights and Achievements

31,500+ kids received United Way-assisted child care
More than 2,100 children attended preschool programs.
85,000 books collected for area children.
17,155 kids participated in out-of-school time programs.
20,000+ Tampa Bay kids received one-to-one mentoring.
Nearly 30,000 children and youth participated in development programs.
44 percent of Summer Care families received United Way assisted tax preparation.
62, 821 individuals received financial stability guidance and education.
11,500 tax returns prepared with United Way assistance in Hillsborough and Pinellas.
3,900+ Earned Income Tax Credits were prepared.
400 families received loans throughout Pinellas County.
$11.8 million was returned to low- and moderate-income working families.
300,612 families received help with food and shelter.
9,801 seniors received assistance and guidance.
70,632 hungry individuals received food assistance.
14,800 pounds of food helped our STOP HOMETOWN HUNGER partners.
More than 154,000 telephone calls were received by 2-1-1 providers.
Provided more than 23,000 hours of volunteer service from approximately 3,300 individual participants in the HandsOn Tampa Bay program.