Equity & Anti-Racism Statement

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of what it means to live united; to be an equity-focused, diverse and inclusive organization is fundamental to achieving our mission and goals for equality in education, financial stability, and health & wellness.

• We recognize that structural racism, ethnic discrimination, and other forms of oppression have created inequities that have existed in the past and persist in the present.
• We acknowledge those inequities are the result of historic and ongoing policies and practices that work to marginalize entire populations.
• We support and advocate for anti-racism, stand against ethnic discrimination and all forms of systematic oppression in order to improve the well-being and vitality of our community.
• We will not discriminate against others on any legally recognized basis including but not limited to: veteran status, marital status, physical or mental disability, race, age, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, a victim of domestic violence or familial status.
• We work to dismantle inequities and engage community members, especially those whose voices have traditionally been marginalized, in the shared work of fortifying equity and empowerment.
• We engage public and private partners to co-create solutions that ensure everyone is heard and has the resources, support, opportunities, and networks they need to thrive.

United Way of Buffalo & Erie County commits to leveraging all our assets including convening, strategic investments, awareness building, assessment, and advocacy to create a more equitable community while measuring our impact over time.