About Us
Empowering children to read, learn and succeed
United Way Australia is a community impact organisation, focusing on preparing our young people for success in life. Guided by community voice and aspirations, we unite residents, business, government and philanthropy to help prepare children to read, learn and succeed.
Building foundations for communities to thrive
Founded in 1887, United Way is a global organisation focussed on improving lives, and strengthening communities. Operating in 41 countries and with over 1800 local chapters, United Way is the largest privately funded not-for-profit charity in the world.
In Australia, we operate at the heart of communities to empower and educate children and young people through flagship early childhood and youth employment initiatives. We build foundations for communities to thrive.
Our key initiative, READ LEARN SUCCEED, operates across many geographically and culturally diverse communities. Early literacy skills and school readiness is supported through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and youth employment and career development is promoted through school and business partnerships.
We understand that families, communities, businesses and governments all benefit when children start school with the skills and confidence they need to learn and succeed. The Hive in Sydney’s Mt Druitt is a United Way Australia initiative providing a backbone for collective impact to help children start school well.
Led by a proactive and strategic Board, our 30-strong team are located in Sydney and greater NSW and are dedicated to creating community and systems change to break the cycle of disadvantage.
