United Way of Lincoln County fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in Lincoln County.
We're more than fundraisers. We're hand raisers and game changers.
We harness our collective powers and we fight.
Because change doesn't happen alone. Hope isn't a one-man band. And to live better, we must LIVE UNITED!
Advancing the common good is less about helping one person at a time and more about changing systems to help all of us. We are all connected and interdependent. We all win when a child succeeds in school, when families are financially stable, when people are healthy. United Way’s goal is to create long-lasting changes by addressing the underlying causes of these problems. Living united means being a part of the change. It takes everyone in the community working together to create a brighter future. Learn more about our impact through our main pillars below.
We are committed to the youth in Lincoln County and make sure they have safe, stable, and thriving lives. We do this through many of our outreach programs, securing tutors for at-risk neighborhood and helping fund summer programs for children who would otherwise be unable. Several of our funded partners support children through summer camp opportunities, drop-out prevention, and more.
We work daily to increase partnerships across the county to increase health and wellbeing in our community. In 2025, UWLC partnered with Lincoln County Health Department and Atrium Health to complete a Community Health Assessment. The CHA will allow Lincoln County leaders to recognize what areas of need are highest. Additionally, we support many funded partners who assist with caregiver support, low-to-free medication and medical help, and more.
We endeavor to help everyone reach financial stability, because financial stability is key in being able to lead successful lives. For some, being financially stable means having enough money to pay bills on time. Others may need an extra bag of food from a food pantry each month to feed their family. For another family, it might mean having a consistent roof over their heads, or dependable transportation. Our emergency funding allows people to overcome unexpected crises, and some of our funded partners help in this realm by teaching financial literacy and saving families money.
Community resilience is impacted by each of our core focuses and UWLC is prepared to step in during times of emerging needs in Lincoln County. This can be by providing support and organization during extreme weather, like flooding or winter storms, or illness, like the Covid-19 pandemic.
To support these main focus areas, United Way impacts the community in many different ways, as seen through the options below. Our community grants fund irreplaceable programs continue in our county, our community outreach & direct services impact our neighbors' lives on daily basis, and our resource connection helps people in need find support.
How We're Committed to Supporting These Focuses
Community Outreach & Direct Services
United Way of Lincoln County assists with community outreach in many areas. For example, the Asbury Resource Center was started by UWLC, and we still assist it and its satellite branch at the West Lincoln Middle School. Additionally, UWLC helps support community initiatives, such as the Sunrise Community.
Community Grants
To support our four focus areas, UWLC funds several local nonprofit programs and services. This process is overseen by our Allocations Committee, which is made up of board members, community leaders, and volunteers. To apply for funding, nonprofits must submit a thorough application, including their budget and financials, as well as present their program idea to the committee. The committee then reviews all applicants, assesses the county's needs based on 211 data, internal data, and the Community Health Assessment, before determining the funding amounts. Even after that process, the funded partners must complete mid-year and end-of-year assessments to ensure that the programs offered are effective and well-managed. Learn about each of our Funded Partners.
Resource Connection
Daily, United Way of Lincoln County receives calls from individuals in need. Our team works tirelessly to ensure that everyone who calls is connected to the resources they need. Additionally, United Way of North Carolina has partnered with 211 to offer a free 24/7 helpline for anyone across the state.