United Way of Southeast Louisiana, founded in 1924, serves seven parishes around New Orleans through its Prosperity Centers, 211, and free tax preparation. Here is what it does, how to get help, and how to give.
The affiliate raises money and directs it to programs and partners across southeast Louisiana, with a strong focus on family financial stability. Its signature model is the Prosperity Center, a one-stop financial-capability hub.
Its service area covers Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes. Michael Williamson has served as president and CEO since 2013.
Residents can dial 211 to reach a free line connecting them to services, and can visit a Prosperity Center for hands-on financial help. The centers bring several services together in one place.
| Program | What it does |
|---|---|
| Prosperity Centers | One-stop hubs offering financial education and coaching, credit building and counseling, benefits screening, and free tax help. |
| 211 helpline | A free connection to food, housing, and other local services. |
| VITA free tax prep | Free tax help for individuals, families, older adults, people with disabilities, and limited-English filers. |
| ALICE research | Data on Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed households who work but cannot afford the basics. |
Bringing coaching, credit help, benefits screening, and free tax preparation together means a family can address several needs in a single visit.
The Prosperity Center is the affiliate's one-stop financial-capability model. Instead of sending people to separate offices, it combines financial coaching, credit counseling, benefits screening, and free tax preparation in one location.
That approach is paired with ALICE research, which describes households that work but cannot afford the basics, and shapes where the affiliate focuses its financial-stability work.
You can donate directly, give through a workplace campaign, or designate a gift to a specific cause. Donations support the affiliate's Prosperity Centers and grants.
Volunteers help in many ways, including free tax preparation. United Way of Southeast Louisiana holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, and its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 72-0471369.
One-stop financial-capability hubs for families.
A free connection to local services.
Free tax help for a wide range of filers.
Data on working households that cannot afford basics.
Programs supporting children and young people.
Payroll campaigns that fund the affiliate's work.
Sources: United Way of Southeast Louisiana (unitedwaysela.org) Prosperity Centers, programs, and ALICE pages; Charity Navigator and ProPublica (EIN 72-0471369). Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with United Way of Southeast Louisiana and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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