United Way of Marion County

United Way of Marion County focuses on the areas of education, income and health. In 2019-2020, investments were made to fund 27 programs at 21 different agencies. Our partnership continues with the heart of Florida United Way in providing our community the 24-hour information and referral service: 2-1-1. Last year, this program received more than 25,000 calls for assistance. We also continue to partner with the early learning coalition in our success by 6 program focused on educating parents that they are their child's first teacher. We completed eight years of our early literacy program, readingpals, that actively recruited and engaged 227 volunteers to help kindergarten students with reading skills within the school system's academy program. Financial stability efforts continue through our offering of free income tax preparation by certified irs volunteers. This past year included five permanent sites, where 1,944 tax returns were processed free of charge to Marion County residents.

There are costs associated with educating United Way's donors and the community about human service needs and the work being accomplished by United Way supported agencies addressing those needs. Costs charged to this function are those not directly associated with any solicitation of a contribution.