Together — with our donors, volunteers, partners and sponsors — we work for a community where every child has an equal opportunity to thrive, every family has the resources to become self-reliant, and every person has a safe place to call home. The Cape and Islands United Way partners with local nonprofits to fund programs that address these critical issues, making a positive difference in the lives of more than 50,000 people every year.
​
The Cape and Islands United Way (CIUW) is the region’s leading social impact organization. Founded in 1960, we are the trusted local organization charged with the “big picture” of human needs. The population we serve includes all residents of the 22 towns of Barnstable, Duke and Nantucket counties.
The community impact model
We focus on developing lasting solutions to the complex and interconnected challenges we face within our local communities, while also ensuring that the basic needs of our residents are met. We study needs and research evidence-based strategies to address underlying causes. We strive to understand where resources are flowing, target gaps that exist, and identify duplication.
