United Way Of San Antonio And Bexar
About United Way Of San Antonio And Bexar
If you know United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County through its 2-1-1 Helpline, you already know the kind of place it is, one that answers the phone any time, in English or Spanish, and helps people get to real resources fast. But its reach goes further than referrals. It also supports child care scholarships, family resource centers, early childhood programs, military families through MISSION UNITED, and local partners serving urgent needs across San Antonio and Bexar County. For donors, the appeal is simple: this is an organization built for the moments when a family needs food, a parent needs child care, a student needs support, or a neighbor just needs to know where to start.
What sets it apart is how many doors it keeps open. A 24/7 Helpline, military navigation through MISSION UNITED, early childhood work, partner grants, and volunteer review all sit under one roof, which means help can move from the first call to the right local resource without a lot of backtracking.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
2-1-1 Helpline
A free, confidential 24/7/365 phone service that connects people to community, health, and disaster services in English or Spanish.
MISSION UNITED
A military information and referral program that helps active-duty service members, reservists, veterans, and their families navigate community and military support resources.
Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)
A local board-administered program that allocates federal funds to partners serving individuals and families with urgent needs.
Dual Generation Initiative
A two-generation initiative that coordinates partners to help families find housing, education, child care, and employment.
Help Me Grow Bexar County
A connection to resources and a tool for families who are pregnant or have children under age 6 to track child growth and development.
Healthy Outcomes through Prevention & Early Support (HOPES)
A flexible community grant that funds home visiting and related supports for families with children ages 0-5.
ReadyKidSA
A coalition of organizations across Bexar County that builds on successful child and family programs for children prenatal to age 8.
Family Resource Centers
Community hubs that offer family support programs, peer groups, resource navigation, and engagement activities.
Child Care Scholarships
Financial assistance that helps parents pursuing undergraduate degrees or workforce training balance child care, school, work, and parenting.
Alamo Quality Pathway
Coaching, mentoring, and support that helps child care providers pursue Texas Rising Star certification and improve quality.
Standards Review
A volunteer review process that evaluates partner agencies on governance, administrative efficiency, and financial accountability.
Shoebox Project
A basic-needs drive that collects requested personal care and basic necessity items, with volunteer build days.
Write Start Project
A back-to-school initiative focused on teachers.
Project Warmth
A winter coat drive that provides brand-new coats to families enrolled in United Way programs and initiatives.
Literacy Kits
Resources designed to provide young children and families with materials that enhance literacy and school readiness.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
To unite the community to identify and solve our most critical issues.
Who they serve
Children, students, individuals, and families in San Antonio and Bexar County, including families in crisis, parents pursuing education or job training, and military and veteran families.
Their impact
- 144,078 individuals served last year in the community
- 72,970 2-1-1 connections from community members seeking information and referrals
- $26 million raised to support programs, services, and initiatives
- 338 children ages 0-8 are at a lower risk of experiencing child abuse as a result of receiving appropriate support
- 1,422 children ages 0-5 are receiving services for identified social and emotional needs
- 1,422 child care slots are improved in quality through national accreditation or Texas Rising Star certification
- 851 children ages 0-5 are meeting age-appropriate developmental milestones
- 371 first- through third-grade students are reading at or above grade level
- 88 students increased their school attendance
- 365 opportunity youth ages 16-24 are re-engaged in education or the workforce
- 426 students had no disciplinary referrals after completion of the intervention program
- 653 people increased their income
- 3,247 people no longer experience family violence
- 19 local businesses are now committed to wage equity
- 522 people increased their household income to above 100% of the Federal Poverty Level
- 5,033 people received safe shelter and supports
- 65,264 people received help with food services
- 26,058 people received assistance to meet urgent, essential needs
- 121 participating families joined Dual Generation
- 48 adults completed a job training or job training program in FY25
- 21% of Dual Generation participants secured employment in FY25
- 198 children were supported through Dual Generation in FY25
- 509 families participated in HOPES
- 73% of children in HOPES programming remained safe
- 60% of families in HOPES demonstrated an increase in nurturing, bonding, and parenting supports
- 361 child care providers in Bexar County are no longer at risk of losing state CCS funding
- 100% of providers that worked with the Alamo Quality Pathway will not lose their CCS funding
- 20,000+ child care slots in Bexar County have improved in quality of instruction
- $385,000 was raised at the 2026 Power of the Purse auction for child care scholarships
- $248,043+ was raised at the 2025 Power of the Purse event for child care scholarships
- 26,409 tax returns were filed at no cost through VITA
- $5.6 million in tax-prep fees were saved by residents using VITA
How your donation helps
- Child care scholarships for parents pursuing higher education or workforce training
- Programs that prepare young children for life, help students succeed, strengthen families, and support people in crisis
- Basic-needs drives such as the Shoebox Project
- Support for 2-1-1 information and referral services
- Support for local partner programs through impact grants and community initiatives
- Emergency assistance for food, shelter, and other urgent needs
Our story
Its local story starts with the first fundraising campaign for the Community Chest of San Antonio in 1940. In 1973, it was renamed United Way of San Antonio as its role widened into community change, and today it serves San Antonio and Bexar County through direct programs, partnerships, and community investments.
Need help?
How someone in need can access United Way Of San Antonio And Bexar’s services.
For urgent issues such as food assistance, shelter, legal help, or other needs, call 2-1-1 for free, confidential help 24/7/365 in English or Spanish. Families with children ages 0-10 may apply for Dual Generation if they live in the listed zip codes and meet income and education or workforce training requirements, and parents pursuing higher education or workforce training may apply for child care scholarships through the program application process.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
People should be able to work 40 hours in a week at a decent job and not have to make these difficult choices.
United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County continues to be one of the most efficient United Way communities in the country and in Texas.
The decision to serve with Stay United is rooted in a 25-year journey of partnership, purpose and community.
Events
Power of the Purse
annualA luncheon and purse auction that benefits United Way Child Care Scholarships.
Shoebox Project
annualA basic necessities drive that collects and distributes requested personal care and basic need items.
United Way Kids Festival
annualA family-friendly official Fiesta event.
United We Brunch
annualA brunch festival with proceeds supporting United Way efforts.
Summer Bash
annualA networking and volunteering event for Emerging Leaders.
All Aboard Series
seriesA three-part professional development series for emerging leaders considering nonprofit board service.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles United Way Of San Antonio And Bexar has shared.
Current needs
- Donations and volunteers for the Shoebox Project basic necessities drive
- Support for child care scholarships that help parents pursue education or job training
- Volunteer participation for Standards Review
- Sponsorships and auction support for Power of the Purse
Volunteer opportunities
- Standards Review volunteer, review partner agencies on governance, administrative efficiency, and financial accountability
- Shoebox Project volunteer build day, assemble shoeboxes filled with requested personal care and basic need items
- Search and sign up for volunteer roles through the Volunteer Center and Volunteer San Antonio
- Group and corporate volunteer service opportunities
- Mentor a young person, prepare food bags for clients in a food pantry, or spend an afternoon with a senior
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
How do people get help through 2-1-1?
People can call 2-1-1 any time, day or night, for free and confidential help. The service gives referrals for community, health, and disaster services in English or Spanish.
Who can apply for the Dual Generation Initiative?
People can apply if they have a child in the household between ages 0 and 10, live in one of the listed Bexar County zip codes, are enrolled in or interested in education or workforce training, and meet income requirements.
What does HOPES fund?
HOPES funds home visiting and other supports for families with children ages 0-5. That includes parent support groups, maternal depression screening, early literacy promotion, case management, and parent education.
What does Alamo Quality Pathway do for child care providers?
Alamo Quality Pathway offers coaching, mentoring, and support to help child care providers work toward Texas Rising Star certification and keep quality strong over time.
How does MISSION UNITED support military families?
MISSION UNITED connects active-duty service members, reservists, veterans, and their families with community resources through the 2-1-1 Helpline and military navigators.
Similar nonprofits
Other single organization support nonprofits in TX.