Economic Opportunity
Funded Programs
The following nonprofit programs are receiving funding from United Way of Central Iowa during the 2025-26 fiscal year through the Economic Opportunity cabinet.
Africans In Iowa for Empowerment:
Economic Opportunity
Catholic Council for Social Concern, Inc.:
Refugee Cooperative Program
Children & Families of Iowa:
Support for Careers
DMACC:
Basic Adult Literacy Program;
Bridges to Success;
Corrections Education Support;
EKD Summer Youth Employment;
Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families;
Financial Empowerment Center;
Opportunity Passport
Des Moines Public Schools:
PLACE Academy
EMBARC:
Essential Needs and Stability for Refugees
Families Forward:
The Home Connection
Forest Avenue Outreach:
Pathway to Building Trades
Genesis Youth Foundation:
Ubuntu Internship Workforce Readiness Program
Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa:
Occupational Skills Training Programming
Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity:
Mortgage Readiness Program
Iowa Center for Economic Success:
Empowering Participation in a Thriving Economy Through Small Business Ownership; Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)
Iowa Community Capital:
Solidarity Microfinance
Iowa Congolese Organization and Center for Healing:
Economic Opportunity Upskilling
Iowa Legal Aid:
Legal Assistance to Meet Economic Opportunity
LadyLike c/o Back 2 School Iowa:
LadyLike: Igniting Women in Business
Latinx Immigrants of Iowa:
Civic Clinic
Lutheran Services in Iowa:
Immigrant Education and Workforce Program (IEWP);
Refugee & Immigrant Economic Development Programs
New Opportunities:
Financial Education & Coaching
Oakridge Neighborhood Services:
Adult & Family Workforce Programs;
Summer Youth Employment Program
One Economy Financial Development Corp:
OEFDC Program
Project Iowa:
Cultivating Careers
Pursuit of Innovation:
Tech Mentorship
Refugee & Immigrant Voices in Action (RIVA):
WorkReady Navigator
Shalom Community Impact Center:
Polk County Employment Support Services for Refugees & Immigrants
St. Vincent de Paul:
Back2Work Workforce Development Program
The Director's Council:
One Economy Initiative
United Way of Central Iowa:
HOPE for Stable Families Program (HFSFP);
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Urban Dreams:
DSM Young Adult and Adult Workforce Program
WeLIFT Job Search Center:
Workforce Program
For information about receiving funding from United Way of Central Iowa, visit our Investment Process website page: