United Way of Greater Cincinnati (UWGC) influences improvements to policies and practices so all Greater Cincinnati families can thrive.

Learn more about our advocacy efforts, download our 2023 Advocacy Policy Agenda (.pdf) or join our advocate network at uwgc.org/advocacy.

United Way of Greater Cincinnati, along with United Ways throughout the state of Ohio, convened at the Statehouse in Columbus to meet with legislators and advocate for a bipartisan budget proposal that seeks $2 million in annual state funding to support the essential operations of Ohio’s 14 regional 211 help centers, including UWGC’s 211 Helpline. Ohio is one of only a few states that do not provide consistent annual funding for 211 programs. This proposed funding would match the annual investment that United Ways make in the program, and it would provide 211 help centers with the means to continue meeting their infrastructural demands and serving the critical needs of Ohioans.  

UWGC joined forces with Groundwork Ohio for Big Voices for Little Kids Advocacy Day at the Statehouse in Columbus. Nearly 400 Ohioans spent the day advocating for increased access to quality child care for low-income Ohioans, classroom grants that would incentivize new capacity for infant and toddler care, and enhanced Medicaid coverage that meets the unique needs of moms and babies. To ensure that legislators heard from parents and child care providers, United Way sponsored 15 early childhood advocacy fellows who shared their lived experiences. 

United Ways around Kentucky, including UWGC, came together for the 10th annual Live United Day at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort. UWGC volunteers and staff met with Northern Kentucky legislators to promote policies that would advance the well-being of all Kentuckians in the areas of health, financial mobility and educational access. Our advocates’ agenda included policy proposals to promote economic mobility by addressing benefit cliffs, making postsecondary education more affordable, and ensuring families can access high-quality, affordable child care.  

UWGC volunteers and staff joined forces with other representatives of Indiana United Ways and met with state lawmakers at the Statehouse in Indianapolis to advocate for increased investments in the On My Way Pre-K Program. The program provides quality preschool education to children from families with low incomes. The advocates garnered bipartisan support for an increase in overall funding for On May Way Pre-K and increasing income eligibility.  

Take the first step in helping break down barriers to prosperity in our community by joining the United Way of Greater Cincinnati advocate network. Become an advocate today!