Supports & Services - Financial

Financial

Financial Supports & Services

These initiatives are part of our Financial Stability impact area, which increases opportunities for local families, individuals, and small businesses to become economically stable and independent.

Financial Supports & Services

Thousands of families in our region are stuck deciding whether they can pay the car bill, send their kids to childcare, or put healthy food on the table. We help families break this cycle by providing tools to meet immediate needs and to work toward long-term economic goals.

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Childcare & Early Education

Childcare & Early Education Supports & Services

These initiatives are part of our School Readiness impact area, which makes high-quality early care and education accessible so all children reach their potential at school and beyond.

Childcare & Early Education Supports & Services

Future success is directly correlated with quality early education and care. Through the childcare and education services and programs offered in our region, we ensure local children receive the education they need to succeed in school and life.

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Community Involvement

Community Involvement

These initiatives are part of our Connected Community impact area, which empowers people, organizations, and businesses to come together as volunteers and partners to make our community stronger.

Community Involvement

We aim to build a more unified and empathetic community. We are committed to reaching this goal by bringing our community together to learn, volunteer, and make our shared home a better place.

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United Way of Greater Charlottesville helps families achieve financial stability through innovative services and programs. These have been developed based on existing needs in our community and leverage the unique ability of our organization to convene and collaborate with partner organizations.

Driving Lives Forward
Find help accessing, affording, leasing, and insuring reliable transportation while also building your credit. Receive help finding and funding a reliable used vehicle while building your credit. In partnership with Carter Myers Automotive, United Way helps with down payment assistance, auto insurance, and more. Read More
Envision Enterprise Grants
These grants support local small yet established businesses each year with up to $10,000 grants for growth and expansion. These grants, through our partnership with the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County Offices of Economic Development, support local small business owners with established businesses yet limited access to capital for business growth and expansion. Read More
Prosper: Pathway to Prosperity
Connect with local nonprofits that work with historically marginalized families to reduce the regional racial wealth gap. This program connects historically marginalized families to a network of local nonprofits working together to close the racial wealth gap in Greater Charlottesville. Participants can access direct services to help them become financially stable. Read More
Family Investment Program
Work with financial coaches to outline and begin your family's personalized path to financial resiliency and stability. Work with one-on-one financial guidance to outline and begin your family's personalized path to financial stability. Services offered include matching investments in emergency savings, paying down bad debt, and providing down-payment assistance for home purchases. Read More
Business Development Grants
These grants award up to $5,000 each year to help empower and sustain local small businesses that are just getting started. Through our partnership with the Minority Business Alliance of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, these grants award $5,000 each year to multiple local small businesses that are just getting started. These grants help empower and sustain local entrepreneurs. Read More
Envision Business Guide
Be part of a guide that highlights and supports businesses led by entrepreneurs from historically underrepresented and resilient communities in the Greater Charlottesville area. A comprehensive guide that showcases and supports small businesses led by entrepreneurs from historically underrepresented and resilient communities in the Greater Charlottesville area. This resource is made possible through collaboration with a strong network of community partners. Read More
Santa Fund for Schoolkids
Access essentials like clothing, shoes, medicine, eyeglasses, books, and school supplies for home and/or school. Read More

Personal Financial Services
United Way of Greater Charlottesville provides local families with the resources and tools they need to achieve financial resiliency. These programs provide direct assistance to families on their journey to economic stability and success. Read More
Small Business Supports
We partner with community organizations and nonprofits to help uplift, empower, and support local small businesses. These investments help local entrepreneurs build wealth while increasing the vibrancy and success of our shared community. Read More
Santa Fund for Schoolkids
About Santa Fund Donations to the Santa Fund, while primarily raised during the holiday season, help elementary,… Read More

All Financial Programs

Santa Fund for Schoolkids

Access essentials like clothing, shoes, medicine, eyeglasses, books, and school supplies for home and/or school. Read More

Envision Business Guide

Be part of a guide that highlights and supports businesses led by entrepreneurs from historically underrepresented and resilient communities in the Greater Charlottesville area. A comprehensive guide that showcases and supports small businesses led by entrepreneurs from historically underrepresented and resilient communities in the Greater Charlottesville area. This resource is made possible through collaboration with a strong network of community partners. Read More

Business Development Grants

These grants award up to $5,000 each year to help empower and sustain local small businesses that are just getting started. Through our partnership with the Minority Business Alliance of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, these grants award $5,000 each year to multiple local small businesses that are just getting started. These grants help empower and sustain local entrepreneurs. Read More

Family Investment Program

Work with financial coaches to outline and begin your family's personalized path to financial resiliency and stability. Work with one-on-one financial guidance to outline and begin your family's personalized path to financial stability. Services offered include matching investments in emergency savings, paying down bad debt, and providing down-payment assistance for home purchases. Read More

Prosper: Pathway to Prosperity

Connect with local nonprofits that work with historically marginalized families to reduce the regional racial wealth gap. This program connects historically marginalized families to a network of local nonprofits working together to close the racial wealth gap in Greater Charlottesville. Participants can access direct services to help them become financially stable. Read More

Envision Enterprise Grants

These grants support local small yet established businesses each year with up to $10,000 grants for growth and expansion. These grants, through our partnership with the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County Offices of Economic Development, support local small business owners with established businesses yet limited access to capital for business growth and expansion. Read More

Driving Lives Forward

Find help accessing, affording, leasing, and insuring reliable transportation while also building your credit. Receive help finding and funding a reliable used vehicle while building your credit. In partnership with Carter Myers Automotive, United Way helps with down payment assistance, auto insurance, and more. Read More

The Impact

Thousands of families in our region face tough decisions every day. For instance, do we pay the car bill, send the kids to childcare, or put healthy food on the table? United Way has provided the tools required to meet immediate needs and work toward long-term goals.

*Based on data from July 2023 to June 2024.

Dorian’s Story: From a “Dreamer” to a First-Time Homebuyer With the Help of United Way of Greater Charlottesville

"Thank you for making it possible for me to say, with pride and joy, I own my first home. Your work, your donations, your belief in programs like these—it all matters more than you know." Read More

Sade’s Story: United Way’s “Life-Changing” Transportation Programs Helped Charlottesville Mom Get to Work

When a local Charlottesville mom lost her vehicle, she used our transportation services to help her purchase a new vehicle, maintain her job, and avoid spending hundreds of dollars each month on ride shares. Read More

Anwar’s Story: Shortbread, Long-Term Success with the Help of a Small business Grant from United Way of Greater Charlottesville

Over the past two years, Allen’s Scottish Shortbread has been awarded a Minority Enterprise Grant, an Envision Small Business Grant, and an international distribution contract with Whole Foods. Read More

illustration of mother and three sons sledding

Victoria’s Story: Providing for Her Sons While She Works to Buy a Home

Meet Victoria. Victoria is a mother in our community who worked her way through odd jobs and is currently working as a paralegal to provide for her sons and reach her goal of owning her own home. Read More

Mayra & Silvestre’s Story: The Gift of Peace While Purchasing a Family Home

Mayra and Silvestre had a goal to purchase a home where their family could live for many years to come. When Mayra unexpectedly lost her job, help from the United Way enabled them to still achieve that goal. Read More

A Note from the Field: Our Role in Helping Our Community Thrive

Ella Jordan, Senior Financial Stability Director, reflects on key moments with a client who was able to become a new homeowner in Albemarle County through our Family Investment Program. Read More

News & Updates

United Way of Greater Charlottesville Awards $35,000 to Local Small Businesses Through the 2027 Business Development Grants

Uncategorized

Oct 09, 2026

Supports & Services - Financial

All Financial Programs

The Impact

Help us build a community where everyone thrives.