United Way of the Capital Area, established in 1953, serves the Jackson region through 211 Mississippi, free tax preparation, and its United We Feed food initiative across three counties. Here is what it does, how to get help, and how to give.
The affiliate focuses resources on the most critical human-care needs across the Jackson region. It runs the statewide 211 Mississippi helpline, free tax preparation, and a food initiative aimed at ALICE households.
Its service area covers Hinds, Madison, and Rankin counties. Nikki McCelleis serves as president and CEO, and the organization was established in 1953.
The fastest way to reach help is 211, a statewide resource and referral service that connects callers with health and human service resources. The affiliate also runs free tax preparation and the United We Feed food program.
| Program | What it does |
|---|---|
| 211 Mississippi | A statewide resource and referral service connecting callers to local services. |
| VITA free tax prep | Free tax preparation by IRS-certified volunteers, focused on helping families claim the EITC. |
| United We Feed | A basic-needs initiative providing fresh food access to ALICE households. |
| Community grants | Funding directed to local programs across three counties. |
Free tax preparation helps low-income residents, people with disabilities, and veterans claim the Earned Income Tax Credit at no cost.
United We Feed is the affiliate's basic-needs initiative, drawing on corporate and community partnerships to provide fresh food access to ALICE households: families that work but cannot afford the basics.
Pairing the food initiative with free tax help and 211 gives working families several ways to stretch a tight budget.
You can donate directly, give through a workplace campaign, or designate a gift to a specific cause. Donations support the affiliate's grants, United We Feed, and 211.
Volunteers help in many ways, including IRS-certified free tax preparation. United Way of the Capital Area holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator with a 96 percent score, and its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 64-0303075.
A statewide resource and referral service.
Free tax filing focused on the EITC.
Fresh food access for ALICE households.
Funding directed to local programs across three counties.
Programs addressing food, housing, and essentials.
Payroll campaigns that fund the affiliate's work.
Sources: United Way of the Capital Area (myunitedway.com) 211 and programs pages; Charity Navigator and ProPublica (EIN 64-0303075). This is the Jackson-based capital-area United Way, distinct from similarly named affiliates in other states. Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with United Way of the Capital Area and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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