United Way of the Plains, founded in 1922, serves the Wichita region through 211, free tax preparation, and its annual ALICE report. 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 south central Kansas, working on health, basic needs, education, and financial stability. It operates a 211 helpline, runs free tax preparation, and publishes an annual ALICE report.
Its service area covers Sedgwick, Butler, Cowley, Sumner, Harper, Kingman, Pratt, and Barber counties, plus parts of Reno and Harvey. Peter Najera joined as president and CEO in 2020.
The fastest way to reach help is 211, a free, confidential service connecting people to resources across Kansas. The affiliate also runs free tax preparation through VITA from February through mid-April.
| Program | What it does |
|---|---|
| 211 helpline | A free, confidential connection to resources and services across Kansas. |
| VITA free tax prep | Free tax preparation by trained volunteers, running February 1 through April 15. |
| ALICE report | An annual report; the latest finds 38 percent of Sedgwick County living paycheck to paycheck. |
| Community grants | Funding directed to local programs across the region. |
Free tax preparation returns credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit to working families at no cost.
United Way of the Plains publishes an annual ALICE report, Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, that measures how many working households cannot afford the basics. The latest finds 38 percent of Sedgwick County residents living paycheck to paycheck.
The data shapes where the affiliate directs its grants, focusing on the working families most at risk of falling behind.
You can donate directly, give through a workplace campaign, or designate a gift to a specific cause. Donations support the affiliate's grants and 211.
Volunteers help in many ways, including IRS-certified free tax preparation. United Way of the Plains holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, and its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 48-0547688.
A free, confidential connection to local services.
Free tax filing from February through mid-April.
An annual measure of households that cannot afford basics.
Funding directed to local programs across the region.
Work to expand food access in the community.
Payroll campaigns that fund the affiliate's work.
Sources: United Way of the Plains (unitedwayplains.org) 211, VITA, and ALICE pages; Charity Navigator and ProPublica (EIN 48-0547688). Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with United Way of the Plains and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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