Economic Opportunity
Funded Programs
The following nonprofit programs are receiving funding from United Way of Central Iowa during the 2026-27 fiscal year through the Economic Opportunity cabinet.
Africans In Iowa for Empowerment:
Economic Opportunity
Catholic Charities:
Refugee Services
Children & Families of Iowa:
Support for Careers
Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC):
Adult Literacy Center;
Bridges to Success;
Corrections Education Support
Des Moines Independent Community School District:
PLACE Academy
EMBARC:
Essential Needs and Stability for Refugees
Families Forward:
HOPE for Stable Families;
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
Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity:
Mortgage Readiness Program
International Rescue Committee:
Building Economic Stability for New Iowans
Iowa Center for Economic Success:
Creating Economic Opportunity through Small Business Ownership;
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Iowa Community Capital:
Solidarity Microfinance
Iowa Congolese Organization and Center for Healing (ICOACH):
Economic Opportunity Upskilling
Iowa Legal Aid:
HOPE for Stable Families;
Legal Assistance to Meet Essential Needs
LadyLike c/o Back 2 School Iowa:
LadyLike: Igniting Women in Business
Latinx Immigrants of Iowa:
Civic Engagement Program
Lutheran Services in Iowa:
Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families:
- Summer Youth Employment Program;
- Financial Empowerment Center;
- Opportunity Passport;
Immigrant Education and Workforce Program (IEWP);
Refugee & Immigrant Economic Development Programs:
- Matched Savings;
- Business Development;
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
New Opportunities, Inc.:
Financial Education & Coaching
Oakridge Neighborhood Services:
Adult & Family Workforce Programs;
HOPE for Stable Families;
Summer Youth Employment Program
One Economy Financial Development Corp:
OEFDC Program
Primary Health Care Inc.:
Economic Development
Project Iowa:
Cultivating Careers
Pursuit of Innovation:
Tech Mentorship
Refugee & Immigrant Voices in Action (RIVA):
Resource Navigators
Shalom Community Impact Center:
Employment Support Services for Refugees
St. Vincent de Paul:
Back2Work Workforce Readiness & Job Attainment
The Director's Council:
One Economy Financial Development & Economic Mobility Network
United Way of Central Iowa:
HOPE for Stable Families Program (HFSFP);
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Urban Dreams:
Youth Networking & Workforce
WeLIFT Job Search Center:
WeLIFT Workforce
For information about receiving funding from United Way of Central Iowa, visit our Investment Process website page: