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: