United Way Miami: How to Get Help and How to Give

✍️ LargestCharities Editorial Team | 📅 Last updated: June 2026

United Way Miami, founded in 1924, invests in nearly 100 programs across Miami-Dade and runs the internationally recognized United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education. Here is what it does, how to get help, and how to give.

TypeCommunity nonprofit; United Way affiliate
Founded1924
HeadquartersMiami, Florida
Service areaMiami-Dade County
Websiteunitedwaymiami.org
Charity NavigatorFour stars
United Way Miami (formerly United Way of Miami-Dade) runs the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education, an internationally recognized demonstration school for early care and education.
Donate → Volunteer

What United Way Miami does

The affiliate invests in nearly 100 programs at more than 60 partner agencies and leads 19 initiatives across Miami-Dade, with a focus on early education, financial stability, and health. It marked 100 years of local impact in 2024.

Symeria T. Hudson has been president and CEO since 2022. The organization is now branded United Way Miami, formerly United Way of Miami-Dade.

How to get help

Residents can reach services through 2-1-1, which United Way Miami supports via the JCS Helpline. The affiliate's own programs concentrate on early education and family financial stability.

ProgramWhat it does
Center for Excellence in Early EducationAn internationally recognized demonstration school that elevates the quality of early care and education.
Financial stabilityPrograms that help families build income, savings, and stability.
2-1-1 (JCS Helpline)A free helpline, supported by United Way Miami, connecting residents to services.
ALICE researchData on working households that cannot afford the basics.

Investing in early education reflects the affiliate's long-term approach: strong early learning helps children and families build a foundation that lasts.

Early education and ALICE

The United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education is the affiliate's signature program, an internationally recognized demonstration school that trains educators and models high-quality early care for Miami and beyond.

United Way also uses the ALICE framework, Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, to describe households that work but cannot afford the basics, which shapes its financial-stability and early-education investments.

How to give and volunteer

You can donate directly, give through a workplace campaign, or designate a gift to a specific cause. Donations support the affiliate's nearly 100 funded programs.

Volunteers help across early education and other initiatives. United Way Miami holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, and its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 59-0830840.

Programs

Center for Excellence

An internationally recognized early-education demonstration school.

Financial stability

Programs that help families build income and savings.

2-1-1 (JCS Helpline)

A supported helpline connecting residents to services.

ALICE research

Data on working households that cannot afford basics.

Community grants

Funding for nearly 100 programs at 60-plus partner agencies.

Workplace giving

Payroll campaigns that fund the affiliate's work.

By the numbers

Frequently asked questions

What is United Way Miami known for?
The United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education, an internationally recognized demonstration school, along with its financial-stability work across Miami-Dade.
How do I find local services?
Reach 2-1-1 through the JCS Helpline, which United Way Miami supports, to connect with local services.
What area does it serve?
Miami-Dade County, Florida.
When was it founded?
In 1924; it marked 100 years in 2024. Symeria T. Hudson has been president and CEO since 2022.
How do I donate?
You can give directly, through a workplace campaign, or by designating a gift; its EIN is 59-0830840.
Is it a reputable charity?
Yes. United Way Miami holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator.

Sources: United Way Miami (unitedwaymiami.org) Center for Excellence, financial stability, and history pages; Charity Navigator and ProPublica (EIN 59-0830840). Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with United Way Miami and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]

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