How United Way California Capital Region Works Toward Ending Poverty Through Education... and So Much More.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text...

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Dawnté Early, CEO of United Way California Capital Region. United Way is one of our region’s longest-serving nonprofits, with more than a century of impact — but what struck me most in this conversation is how intentionally the organization has evolved to meet today’s realities.

We talk about what it really takes to “end poverty,” why education remains the strongest ladder out, and how United Way is stepping beyond traditional grantmaking to provide direct services that stabilize families, support children, and strengthen entire communities.

This conversation spans early childhood literacy, housing stability, guaranteed income for former foster youth, free tax preparation, collaboration, policy change, and the growing pressure facing nonprofits as safety-net funding tightens. It’s thoughtful, data-driven, and deeply human.

What We Cover in This Conversation

• How United Way has evolved from a trusted community funder into a hands-on, direct-service organization
• Why education is central to breaking generational cycles of poverty — starting at birth
• Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and how monthly books are changing outcomes for families
• Kindergarten readiness, literacy tutoring, and closing opportunity gaps after COVID
• Guaranteed income for former foster youth — and why $500 a month can mean the difference between dropping out and graduating
• Free tax preparation and how tens of millions of dollars are being returned to local families that might have otherwise gone unnoticed
• The role of collaboration, collective impact, and shared infrastructure across nonprofits
• Why poverty is also a policy issue — and how United Way is working upstream
• The financial realities nonprofits face as government support pulls back
• Leadership, sustainability, and what it takes to grow impact without losing mission

Why This Matters

United Way’s work touches every stage of life — from early literacy to college completion to financial stability for working families. This episode offers a clear look at how layered, connected solutions can create real, measurable outcomes, and why collaboration is no longer optional in today’s nonprofit landscape.

If you care about education, housing, economic mobility, or the future of our nonprofit safety net, this is an important conversation.

Learn More

Find programs, volunteer opportunities, free tax prep locations, and upcoming events by visiting your local United Way website. Information on United Way Capital Region and their annual gala can be found in the links below.

Website link: https://www.yourlocalunitedway.org/

Tax preparation link: https://www.yourlocalunitedway.org/our-work/financial-security/free-tax-preparation/

Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.