United Way Inc

Los Angeles, CA · Founded 1962

Breaking the cycle of poverty in Los Angeles County

Primary audience
Low-Income Families
Work area
Community Development
Topic
Poverty & Homelessness
Contact
Elise Buik
Website Contact

About Organization

United Way of Los Angeles permanently breaks the cycle of poverty for low-income families, children, veterans, and people experiencing homelessness through coordinated services and community partnerships. Based in Los Angeles, CA, the organization generated $49.6 million in revenue in 2021 with 93 employees and 500 volunteers.

What They Focus On

Housing Stability

Helps hundreds of thousands of families and individuals move into stable homes through rental assistance, case management, and shelter partnerships.

Poverty Reduction

Addresses the root causes of poverty through workforce development, financial literacy, and economic mobility programs for low-income families.

Education Access

Invests in early childhood education, youth development, and college access programs that break intergenerational poverty cycles.

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2021)

$49.6M

-27.9% vs 2020

Expenses (2021)

$44.2M

+7.6% vs 2020

Assets (2021)

$90.0M

-0.2% vs 2020

Employees (2021)

93

-8.8% vs 2020

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2021 $49,602,090 $44,155,282 $90,002,015 93
2020 $68,762,414 $41,034,127 $90,203,286 102
2019 $59,662,223 $55,109,866 $63,354,445 116
2018 $59,604,703 $48,294,639 $59,246,831 105
2017 $46,705,474 $49,406,413 $43,016,085 117

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Identify Greatest Need

    Use data and community input to understand where poverty, homelessness, and instability are concentrated across Los Angeles.

  • 02

    Fund Strategic Programs

    Direct resources to proven programs and trusted partners that deliver measurable results for families and individuals.

  • 03

    Mobilize Community

    Engage 500+ volunteers, corporate partners, and donors to amplify impact beyond what any single organization can achieve.

  • 04

    Respond to Crisis

    Deploy rapid-response funding and coordination during emergencies like wildfires, serving thousands within days.

  • 05

    Measure & Share Impact

    Track outcomes across all programs and publish annual impact reports to maintain transparency and accountability.

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by United Way Inc

Housing & Homelessness

Helps families and individuals move into stable housing through rental assistance, case management, and partnerships with shelters and housing providers.

Wildfire Response Fund

Provides emergency relief, housing assistance, mental health care, and cash assistance to communities affected by Los Angeles wildfires.

Education & Youth

Invests in programs that improve educational outcomes for low-income children and youth, from early childhood through college access.

Economic Mobility

Supports workforce development, financial literacy, and income-building programs that help families escape the cycle of poverty.

Veteran Services

Connects veterans with housing, employment, healthcare, and social services to support their transition and stability.

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind United Way Inc.

Everyone In

Everyone In

Everyone In is a community-driven effort to end homelessness by advocating for policies that will increase access to supportive and affordable housing, and communicating with thousands of people across L.A. County about those housing solutions.

EB

Elise Buik

President & CEO
Full-time
Compensation: $567,471
OC

Oscar Cruz

Chief Operating Off. - Part Year
Full-time
Compensation: $187,236
CH

Carter Hewgley

Director, Homelessness Initiatives
Full-time
Compensation: $141,722
CY

Cristian Yancey

Director, Marketing & Events
Full-time
Compensation: $135,235
DT

David Tran

Director, Finance
Full-time
Compensation: $134,989
TK

Taulene Kagan

VP, Special Projects & Initiatives
Full-time
Compensation: $215,289
LR

Lining Recendez

VP, Finance
Full-time
Compensation: $215,092
CK

Chris Ko

VP, Impact & Strategy
Full-time
Compensation: $178,876
TN

Thomas Newman

VP, Engagement & Activation
Full-time
Compensation: $144,834
EL

Elicia Lopez

Dir., Individ. Giving - Part Year
Full-time
Compensation: $124,679
RH

Ron Herrera

Ex-Officio
1 hrs/week
UA

Utility Assistance

Since 1982, we’ve partnered with Southern California Edison and SoCalGas® to provide vital utility assistance to people facing financial hardship.

Milestones

Over a century of fighting poverty in Los Angeles

1922

Founded in Los Angeles

1922

Established to coordinate charitable giving and community services in the Los Angeles region.

1962

Incorporated as 501(c)(3)

1962

Formalized nonprofit structure to expand fundraising and program delivery across greater Los Angeles.

2020

Pandemic Response

2020

Revenue peaked at $68.8 million as the organization mobilized emergency assistance during the COVID-19 crisis.

2023

45,000+ People Served

2023

Delivered comprehensive services to over 45,000 individuals and families across Los Angeles County.

2025

Wildfire Response

2025

Launched the Wildfire Response Fund, providing emergency relief to thousands affected by the Altadena and Palisades fires.

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AB
Adele Berwanger Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
Alex Martin Chaves
Alex Martin Chaves CEO, Parking Company of America Management, LLC 1.00 hrs/week
BL
Brad Larsen Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
CC
Caroline Choe Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
CC
Chris Carey Board Member 5.00 hrs/week
Darlene Hopkins
Darlene Hopkins Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
DP
Dominic Porporino Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
Erik Robinson
Erik Robinson Vice President e 1.00 hrs/week
Irene Oh
Irene Oh Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer, East West Bank 1.00 hrs/week
JS
Jade Shopp Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
JN
Jerry Neuman Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
JM
Julie Miller-Phipps Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
Kevin Demoff
Kevin Demoff President, Los Angeles Rams 1.00 hrs/week
LJ
Larry James Chair 5.00 hrs/week
Lisa Cleri Reale
Lisa Cleri Reale Principal, Cleri Reale and Associates 1.00 hrs/week
LP
Luis Patino Board Member - Part Year 1.00 hrs/week
Marc Hickman
Marc Hickman Resident Managing Director / EVP, AON Risk Insurance Services West, Inc. 1.00 hrs/week
MS
Maria Salinas Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
ML
Mark Louchheim Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
MP
Mark Phair Board Member - Part Year 1.00 hrs/week
Martha Santana-Chin
Martha Santana-Chin President & CEO, L.A. Care Health Plan 1.00 hrs/week
ML
Michael Lawson Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
MS
Michael Silacci Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
Michelle Wroan
Michelle Wroan Managing Partner, Los Angeles, KPMG LLP 1.00 hrs/week
NS
Natalie Schilling Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
RS
Renata Simril Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
RR
Richard Raffetto Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
RL
Robyn Lawhon Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
RM
Rudy Medina Corporate Secretary 5.00 hrs/week
SH
Sandra Hrna Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
Scott Cohen
Scott Cohen Co-Founder, Byte 1.00 hrs/week
SM
Sean McBurney Board Member 1.00 hrs/week
Stewart Kwoh
Stewart Kwoh Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director, The Asian American Education Project 1.00 hrs/week
Alice Juarez
Alice Juarez Regional Bank President, Wells Fargo Bank
Ann Sugai
Ann Sugai Divisional Director Home Lending - CA, Chase
Chris Doll
Chris Doll Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer City National Bank
Elise Buik
Elise Buik President & CEO, United Way of Greater Los Angeles
Hassan Webb
Hassan Webb Managing Director; Market Executive, Global Commercial Banking, Bank of America
Jim White
Jim White Board Member
John Yamamoto
John Yamamoto Vice President of Community Health and Government Relations, Kaiser Permanente
Kim Harrington
Kim Harrington Partner/Principal, Business Tax Advisor, Ernst & Young
Leslie Livesay
Leslie Livesay Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Michael Headrick
Michael Headrick Senior VP and District Manager, PCL
Michelle Rhone-Collins
Michelle Rhone-Collins CEO, Lift
Omid Noori
Omid Noori Senior Vice President, Market Leader, Greater L.A. U.S. Bank
Rudy Espinoza
Rudy Espinoza Executive Director, Inclusive Action for the City
Ted Dunn
Ted Dunn Head of Diversified Industries West & Verticals, BMO
Yvonne Wheeler
Yvonne Wheeler President, L.A. County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2021)

$2.5M

Highest Paid

$820K

Elise Buik

Compensated Officers

10

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Elise Buik President & CEO $567,471 $252,102 $819,573 50
Taulene Kagan VP, Special Projects & Initiatives $215,289 $52,750 $268,039 50
Lining Recendez VP, Finance $215,092 $52,147 $267,239 50
Oscar Cruz Chief Operating Off. - Part Year $187,236 $19,993 $207,229 50
Chris Ko VP, Impact & Strategy $178,876 $20,559 $199,435 50
Thomas Newman VP, Engagement & Activation $144,834 $25,577 $170,411 50
David Tran Director, Finance $134,989 $21,569 $156,558 50
Carter Hewgley Director, Homelessness Initiatives $141,722 $10,424 $152,146 50
Cristian Yancey Director, Marketing & Events $135,235 $15,541 $150,776 50
Elicia Lopez DIR., Individ. Giving - Part Year $124,679 $8,603 $133,282 50

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$2.3M Grants Received
16 Organizations

Top Funders

16 total
FI
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
$916K
SI
Siemer Institute 2 grants
$330K
CF
Columbus Foundation
$300K
AO
American Online Giving Foundation Inc.
$199K
CA
Charities Aid Foundation America
$82K
LH
Liberty Hill Foundation
$80K
G
Good360
$78K
UW
United Way Of Bergen County
$59K
JC
Jewish Community Foundation Of Los Angeles
$53K
CI
California Institute Of Technology
$46K
+6 more funders
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Siemer Institute Columbus Foundation American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Charities Aid Foundation America Liberty Hill Foundation Good360 United Way Of Bergen County Jewish Community Foundation Of Los Angeles California Institute Of Technology Sempra Employee Giving Network Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc. Kaiser Foundation Hospitals The United Way Of Southwestern Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund United Way For Southeastern Michigan
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Siemer Institute Columbus Foundation American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Charities Aid Foundation America Liberty Hill Foundation Good360 United Way Of Bergen County Jewish Community Foundation Of Los Angeles California Institute Of Technology Sempra Employee Giving Network Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc. Kaiser Foundation Hospitals The United Way Of Southwestern Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund United Way For Southeastern Michigan

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Contact

Get in touch with United Way Inc

Email

[email protected]

Phone

(213) 808-6220

Social

Visit Website
1150 S Olive Street Suite T500 Los Angeles, CA 90015