United Way of Delaware, founded in 1946, serves the whole state through the Delaware 211 helpline, ALICE research, and programs in student success and financial empowerment. Here is what it does, how to get help, and how to give.
The affiliate advances the common good across the whole state through four focus areas: the Delaware 211 helpline, Early Student Success, College and Career Success, and Financial Empowerment. It funds programs and operates shared services rather than running a single charity.
Dr. Michelle Taylor has been president and CEO since 2008. The organization has empowered the community for more than 75 years, since 1946.
The fastest way to reach help is Delaware 211, a free and confidential helpline that connects callers to essential health and human services. United Way of Delaware has operated it since 2005, and it is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
| Program | What it does |
|---|---|
| Delaware 211 | A free, confidential 24/7 helpline for Delaware and Salem County, NJ, residents. |
| Early Student Success | Programs supporting young learners and early literacy. |
| College and Career Success | Work helping students move toward college and careers. |
| Financial Empowerment | Coaching and resources, paired with ALICE research, to build stability. |
United Way uses the ALICE framework, Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, to focus its work on households that work but cannot afford the basics.
Rather than spreading evenly, United Way of Delaware organizes its work around four focus areas: Delaware 211, Early Student Success, College and Career Success, and Financial Empowerment. The four span a person's path from early childhood to a stable financial footing.
ALICE research underpins that work, showing how many working Delaware households still cannot afford essentials.
You can donate directly, give through a workplace campaign, or designate a gift to a specific cause. Donations support the affiliate's focus areas and Delaware 211.
Volunteers help across the state's programs. United Way of Delaware holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator with a 96 percent score, and its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 51-0073399.
A free statewide 24/7 helpline.
Programs supporting young learners.
Helping students toward college and careers.
Coaching and resources to build stability.
Data on working households that cannot afford basics.
Payroll campaigns that fund the affiliate's work.
Sources: United Way of Delaware (uwde.org) what-we-do, Delaware 211, and ALICE pages; Charity Navigator and ProPublica (EIN 51-0073399). Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with United Way of Delaware and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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