United Way of Greater Atlanta: How It Serves Atlanta Residents and How You Can Get Help or Get Involved

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia or the surrounding metro area and you’ve heard of United Way Atlanta, you’re usually hearing about United Way of Greater Atlanta—one of the major nonprofit organizations coordinating help for people and families across the region.

This guide explains what United Way of Greater Atlanta does, who it helps, how to connect with services, and how Atlanta residents can volunteer or donate if they want to support their community.

What Is United Way of Greater Atlanta?

United Way of Greater Atlanta is a nonprofit organization that works across Atlanta and 13 surrounding counties to improve conditions for children, families, and communities. Instead of focusing on just one issue, United Way coordinates:

• Funding for local nonprofits
• Community programs and initiatives
• Partnerships with schools, hospitals, businesses, and public agencies

In the Atlanta area, the focus is often on:

• Housing stability and homelessness prevention
• Food insecurity
• Early childhood education and literacy
• Youth development and mentoring
• Financial stability and workforce readiness
• Health and basic needs

The organization does not replace government services or individual charities. Instead, it connects people to a network of help and supports organizations already working on the ground.

Where Is United Way Atlanta Located?

The main office for United Way of Greater Atlanta is in Downtown/Midtown-adjacent Atlanta:

United Way of Greater Atlanta
40 Courtland St NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main Phone: (404) 527-7200 (general information)

This is an administrative and coordination hub, not a walk-in emergency shelter or food pantry. Many services funded or supported by United Way are actually delivered by partner agencies throughout the Atlanta metro area.

If you’re looking for direct help (rent assistance, food, utilities, etc.), your best first step is usually to call 2-1-1, not to show up at this office.

United Way Atlanta’s 2-1-1: Your First Call for Help

For most people in metro Atlanta, the most practical way to access United Way–connected services is through the 2-1-1 information and referral line.

What 2-1-1 Does in Atlanta

When you contact United Way of Greater Atlanta’s 2-1-1, you can get referrals to:

• Emergency and short-term housing / shelters
• Rent and utility assistance programs (when funding is available)
• Food pantries and community meal sites
• Free or low-cost health clinics and mental health resources
• Childcare and early learning programs
• Job training, GED, and employment support
• Support for seniors and people with disabilities

2-1-1 is not an emergency service like 911. It’s a navigation and referral line to guide you toward organizations that may be able to help, depending on eligibility and available resources.

How to Contact 2-1-1 in Atlanta

You have several options:

• 📞 Dial 2-1-1 from most phones in the Atlanta metro area
• Or use the alternate line: (404) 614-1000 (helpful if 2-1-1 doesn’t work on your phone)
• You can also text or use online search tools provided by United Way of Greater Atlanta (details can change, so phone is often the most stable starting point)

When you call, be prepared to share:

• Your ZIP code or neighborhood (e.g., 30315, 30318, Southwest Atlanta, etc.)
• The type of help you’re seeking (rent, food, childcare, transportation, etc.)
• Any special circumstances (children in the home, disability, veteran status, domestic violence concerns)

The 2-1-1 specialist can then look up nearby agencies serving your part of metro Atlanta—whether you’re in the City of Atlanta, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, Gwinnett, Fulton, or another surrounding county.

Key Areas United Way of Greater Atlanta Focuses On

Although exact programs can change over time, many Atlanta residents encounter United Way through these main focus areas.

1. Housing, Homelessness, and Basic Needs

United Way of Greater Atlanta helps support and coordinate:

• Homeless shelters and transitional housing across the metro area
• Homelessness prevention programs (rental assistance, utility assistance, when funding is available)
• Food insecurity programs like food banks and community pantries

If you’re facing eviction, shutoff notices, or homelessness:

1. Call 2-1-1 first.
2. Ask specifically about rent assistance, utility assistance, shelters, or rapid rehousing in your ZIP code.
3. Write down the names, phone numbers, and any case numbers or reference IDs provided.

Important: Funding is often limited and time-sensitive, and programs may have waitlists or eligibility rules. United Way does not guarantee assistance but works to connect you with options.

2. Child and Youth Well-Being

Metro Atlanta has a strong United Way focus on child well-being, especially in neighborhoods where children face higher barriers.

Programs and supported initiatives may include:

• Early learning and preschool readiness
• After-school and summer programs
• Mentoring and youth leadership
• Support for teens in foster care or at risk of homelessness

If you’re a parent or guardian in Atlanta:

• Ask 2-1-1 about after-school programs or youth services near your school cluster or neighborhood (e.g., around APS zones like Washington, Douglass, South Atlanta, or Mays).
• Mention your child’s age and any special needs to get more targeted referrals.

3. Financial Stability and Workforce Development

United Way of Greater Atlanta works with local partners to support:

• Job readiness and skills training
• Career coaching and resume support
• Free tax prep assistance (often seasonally)
• Financial education workshops

In Atlanta, these services may be offered at:

• Community centers
• Nonprofit organizations
• Libraries and workforce development hubs

If you’ve lost a job, are underemployed, or need help improving your employment situation, ask for employment support programs or job training when you contact 2-1-1.

How United Way of Greater Atlanta Works With Other Atlanta Organizations

One of the biggest roles United Way plays in Atlanta is as a connector and funder, not just a direct service provider.

Examples of Partnerships

United Way of Greater Atlanta often collaborates with:

• Local nonprofits and faith-based organizations running shelters, food banks, and youth programs
• Atlanta Public Schools and other school districts for early learning and student support
• City of Atlanta and county governments on housing, homelessness, and family services
• Hospitals and health systems for community health initiatives
• Businesses and corporate partners through workplace giving campaigns and employee volunteer projects

For Atlanta residents, this means:

• Services you access—even if they don’t have “United Way” in the name—may still be funded or coordinated through United Way.
• The network is regional, so if you live in a suburb like Sandy Springs, Decatur, College Park, East Point, or Marietta, you may still be served through United Way of Greater Atlanta–connected programs, depending on the county.

If You Need Help in Atlanta: Practical Steps

Here is a simple overview for Atlanta residents seeking help through United Way–connected resources.

Quick Action Guide

📝 Tips when calling 2-1-1 in Atlanta:

• Call when you can be on hold if needed—lines can be busy during high-demand times.
• Have paper and pen ready to jot down agencies and phone numbers.
• Ask if there are waitlists and what documents you might need (ID, lease, bills, income proof).
• If one agency can’t help, ask if there are alternative referrals nearby.

Volunteering with United Way of Greater Atlanta in Atlanta

If you’re not seeking services but want to give back in Atlanta, there are many options connected to United Way.

Types of Volunteer Opportunities

United Way of Greater Atlanta helps connect volunteers to:

• One-time volunteer days (packing food boxes, assembling school supplies, etc.)
• Ongoing roles with partner nonprofits (mentoring, tutoring, administrative support)
• Corporate and group projects for Atlanta-area businesses, churches, and civic groups
• Seasonal efforts like back-to-school drives or holiday giving

Common volunteer locations include:

• Community centers
• Nonprofit service sites in neighborhoods across Atlanta, not only downtown
• Schools and youth programs (sometimes with background checks required)

To find current opportunities:

• Contact United Way of Greater Atlanta’s main office by phone, or
• Look for volunteer sign-up channels they maintain (details can change, so calling is often a reliable first step).

Donating to Support Atlanta-Area Programs

Many people know United Way from workplace giving campaigns in Atlanta’s major employers, hospitals, universities, and corporations.

Ways Atlanta residents often give:

• Payroll deduction through your employer
• One-time or recurring direct donations to United Way of Greater Atlanta
• Designated giving—sometimes you can target your gift to certain focus areas or initiatives, depending on options offered at the time

Your donation typically goes into a larger community fund that is then granted to programs across the region. This allows United Way to:

• Respond to changing needs (for example, spikes in housing insecurity or health concerns)
• Support smaller neighborhood-based organizations that may not have large fundraising capacity on their own

If you’re considering donating, you can ask:

• How funds are used in your specific county or ZIP code
• Whether there are special initiatives focused on areas you care about (such as child well-being, homelessness, or financial stability)

If You’re New to Atlanta and Want to Understand United Way’s Role

If you’ve recently moved to Atlanta, it helps to see United Way of Greater Atlanta as:

• A backbone organization that helps many different nonprofits coordinate services
• A central hub for information through 2-1-1
• A regional partner for businesses, schools, hospitals, and public agencies

For newcomers, especially those without a strong local support network, knowing about 2-1-1 can be particularly important. Whether you live in Midtown, Buckhead, the Westside, South Atlanta, or a suburban area, 2-1-1 can point you toward local, neighborhood-level help.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Residents

• “United Way Atlanta” generally refers to United Way of Greater Atlanta, serving Atlanta and multiple surrounding counties.
• The main office is at 40 Courtland St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303, phone (404) 527-7200, but walk-ins there are not the primary way to access help.
• For direct services, your best starting point is 2-1-1, which connects you to local agencies for housing, food, childcare, health, and more.
• United Way of Greater Atlanta funds and coordinates many programs, but most day-to-day help is delivered by partner organizations around the metro area.
• Atlanta residents can volunteer or donate through United Way to support a broad network of community services across the region.

Whether you’re in crisis, planning ahead, new to the city, or looking for ways to give back, knowing how United Way of Greater Atlanta and 2-1-1 work in Atlanta gives you a clear path to either reach help or help others.