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: