United Way of Pennsylvania l August 6, 2026 | | |
Pennsylvania Proudly Hosts First
Northeast Regional Conference
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For the first time ever, United Ways from across the Northeast region came together for the Northeast Regional Conference, held June 1-3, 2026, at Wind Creek Bethlehem in Pennsylvania. As the host state, Pennsylvania was proud to welcome more than 400 attendees representing United Ways from Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia.
The participation and engagement throughout the conference demonstrated a shared commitment to investing in learning, leadership development, and innovative solutions that strengthen communities. Over three days, staff, board members, and community leaders exchanged ideas, built meaningful connections, and collaborated with a diverse network of United Ways of every size.
Pennsylvania made a particularly strong showing, with more than 160 staff and board members from across the Commonwealth attending the event. Pennsylvania United Ways also shared their expertise by presenting in 10 breakout sessions, highlighting successful programs, promising practices, and innovative approaches to community impact.
Pennsylvania's leadership extended beyond conference attendance and presentations. Chester County United Way, United Way of Bucks County, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, and United Way of Pennsylvania all served on the Conference Planning Committee. The committee was co-chaired by Marci Lesko of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, whose leadership helped make this landmark event a success.
The strong participation and meaningful discussions reflected United Ways' shared commitment to innovation, growth, and community impact. Attendees left with fresh ideas, valuable connections, and renewed energy, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in strengthening communities across the region.
We are grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of the event and look forward to reconnecting at the next Northeast Regional Conference, currently planned for 2028.
| | UWP & PA Treasury Partner to Return More Than $28,000 to Local United Ways | | |
United Way of Pennsylvania (UWP) partnered with the Pennsylvania Treasury's Unclaimed Property Bureau to identify and return unclaimed property belonging to local United Ways across the Commonwealth. Through the partnership, more than 75 items of unclaimed property were identified and matched to local United Ways, resulting in $28,337.02 being returned to the network.
Each year, the Pennsylvania Treasury receives hundreds of millions of dollars in unclaimed property. These funds can become unclaimed for many reasons, including outdated mailing addresses, misspelled names, organizational mergers, or name changes. Working together, UWP and the Treasury reviewed claim information, identified the appropriate local United Ways, and filed a group claim on behalf of the network to simplify the process.
Those recovered dollars are now back where they belong, supporting local United Ways as they strengthen communities, invest in programs, and help Pennsylvanians build healthier, more financially secure futures.
This marks the second successful partnership between United Way of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Treasury. In 2023, more than $160,000 in unclaimed property was returned to local United Ways across the state.
Check for Unclaimed Property
This effort also serves as a reminder for individuals and organizations to search for unclaimed property of their own. According to the Pennsylvania Treasury, 1 in 10 Pennsylvanians has unclaimed property waiting to be claimed.
Take a few minutes to search for yourself, a family member, your organization, or someone you know by visiting the Pennsylvania Treasury's Unclaimed Property search: patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property.
Every dollar returned has the potential to make a meaningful difference for families, nonprofits, and communities across Pennsylvania.
| | DoBS Launches My Money Resource | |
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) recently launched My Money, a new online resource designed to help Pennsylvanians learn about, manage, and protect their finances.
Available at www.pa.gov/MyMoney, the website brings together trusted financial education materials, fraud prevention resources, and consumer assistance information in a single, easy-to-navigate location.
| Bring Impossible Choices to Your Community | | |
Impossible Choices is an interactive activity that puts participants in the shoes of an ALICE household. Through a series of real-life budgeting decisions, participants experience the difficult tradeoffs many working families face each month, helping build understanding of the financial realities behind the ALICE data.
UWP can help bring this experience to your community through a facilitate activity tailored for your audience, footprint, and community! The experience can be tailored for different audiences like employers exploring workforce challenges, colleges seeking to better understand and support ALICE students, and health care professionals examining the connection between financial hardship and health outcomes.
If you're looking for new ways to educate your community about ALICE, we'd be happy to help identify an approach that best fits your audience. Learn more here.
| | United Way Invests in Education | |
As students prepare to head back to school, local United Ways across Pennsylvania are investing in children and families at every stage of the educational journey, from early learning to career readiness.
United Way of York County is helping young learners get the best possible start through its Early Childhood Education Scholarship Program, which expands access to quality early learning opportunities and helps children build a strong foundation for future success.
Schuylkill United Way is supporting students both inside and outside the classroom. Through Stuff the Bus, the community comes together to provide essential school supplies to local students, while the Nurse's Pantry ensures children have access to critical health and hygiene items that support their well-being and ability to learn.
United Way of Venango and Titusville Region is preparing students for life beyond graduation through its Career Counselor Program, helping young people explore career paths, connect with workforce opportunities, and make informed decisions about their futures.
These initiatives represent just a few of the ways local United Ways are strengthening communities through education. By investing in early learning, reducing barriers to classroom success, and preparing students for tomorrow's workforce, United Ways are helping children thrive today and creating brighter futures for generations to come. Connect with your local United Way to learn more about how they are investing in education!
| Your Support Powers Change Across the Commonwealth | | |
United Way of Pennsylvania extends heartfelt thanks for your generous support — powering our statewide efforts and the work of local United Ways across the Commonwealth. Your commitment helps connect Pennsylvanians to vital resources through PA 211, strengthen financial stability for ALICE households, and build brighter futures where everyone can thrive.
We invite you to continue making a difference by supporting your local United Way, contributing to our work with ALICE families, or helping connect Pennsylvanians to essential resources through PA 211. Together, we’re building a stronger, more resilient Pennsylvania for all.
| | United Way of Pennsylvania | | | | | |
