United Way of Ventura County

United Way of Ventura County was established in 1945 to provide residents with crucial health and human services. Since then, the organization's work has been driven by a compelling mission: to mobilize the community's power and resources to improve the lives of all residents. This mission is fulfilled through volunteer-based and community-designed programs focused on education, financial stability, and health. In addition to these direct service programs, United Way of Ventura County played a crucial role in establishing 2-1-1, the county's information and referral social-services call center.

As Southern California has weathered increasingly destructive wildfire seasons, United Way of Ventura County has expanded its poverty reduction programming to include disaster relief. In 2017, the Thomas Fire — California's largest ever wildfire at the time — scorched more than 281,000 acres of land in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. In 2018, heavy rains induced massive mudslides and flash floods in recently burned areas, further endangering citizens and their residences. In response, the United Way of Ventura County established the Thomas Fire and Flood Fund to provide direct aid for the victims of the fire and floods, raising and distributing more than $4.5 million to individuals and families living in Ventura County. Through GRoW, founder Gregory Annenberg Weingarten joined forces with his fellow trustees at the Annenberg Foundation to provide support for the wildfire recovery efforts in the region.