Accountability

United Way's Equity DEFINITION:

United Way defines equity as the intentional inclusion of everyone in society. Equity is achieved when systemic, institutional, and historical barriers based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and other identities are dismantled and no longer predict socioeconomic, education, and health outcomes.

United Way's Equity VISION:

We recognize structural racism and other forms of oppression have contributed to persistent disparities which United Way seeks to dismantle. Our United Way network strives to engage community members, especially those whose voices have traditionally been marginalized. We work with residents and public and private partners to co-create solutions that ensure everyone has the resources, support, opportunities, and networks they need to thrive. We commit to leveraging all of our assets (convening, strategic investments, awareness building, advocacy) to create more equitable communities.

What United Way Believes:

United Way has always been involved in the fight for equity - we fight for greater opportunity for every person in every community. Our work is focused on financial stability, health, and education in some of the most underserved communities across the country and around the globe.

For us, "joining the fight for equity" also means joining in the fight for equal access to justice and against racism and ethnic discrimination.

We unequivocally stand against racism and ethnic discrimination and encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to speak out against racism, bigotry, and violence.

We acknowledge that racism and ethnic discrimination have created and sustained inequities in opportunities and access to employment, education, healthcare, and housing; which has disproportionately and negatively impacted African Americans and other people of color.

We must all do our part, working United, to make our communities the places that we need them to be - equitable, respectful, and full of opportunity. We define equity as the intentional inclusion of everyone in society. Equity is achieved when systemic, institutional, and historical barriers based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and other identities are dismantled and no longer predict socioeconomic, education, and health outcomes.

We, as a society, can and must do better to guarantee that the basic human rights and freedoms of every person in every community are protected.