Education

United is the Way to improve education outcomes for Utah students.

From promoting literacy and providing school supplies through our signature Year of Action events to advocating for public policies that support education, we provide high-quality education opportunities that help Utah students thrive in and out of the classroom.

As a founding and sustaining partner of Promise Partnership Utah, United Way of Salt Lake powers initiatives aimed at creating transformative change that puts more Utah students on a path to economic mobility.

Our Education Initiatives

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Early Learning

Through initiatives like Promise Baby & You and The Basics Utah, we support early childhood development and education so kids and families in our community can thrive from the very beginning.

Promise Baby & You is a free, 9-week workshop series for parents and caregivers of children ages 0-3. Participants learn effective strategies for supporting their child’s early development from The Basics Utah, get connected to community resources, and gain a network of support.

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Student Mentorship

Through Promise Student Advocates, students are paired with a caring adult mentor who helps them set goals and navigate challenges in and out of the classroom. Students work with their mentors to create individualized success plans to reach graduation and beyond.

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CTE Pathways

United Way of Salt Lake supports Career and Technical Education Pathways and other career opportunities that help give students workplace skills and real-world experience. We leverage school and corporate partnerships to provide students with career presentations, mock interviews, and internship opportunities to help prepare them for future career success.

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Education by the Numbers:

families have graduated from the Promise Baby & You Program.

students receive one-on-one mentorship support through Promise Student Advocates.

of kindergarten classes statewide were categorized as full day in 2026.

Our Education Advocacy

We advocate for policies that support a robust public education system. Over the years, United Way of Salt Lake advocates have successfully championed impactful legislation that provides access to full-day kindergarten, early literacy support, and more. During the 2026 legislative session, our priority bill—SB 165 Economic Mobility Initiative—passed, establishing the Raising Expectations through Accountability, Community, and Hope (REACH) initiative which supports community-based partnerships across the state.

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Our Funded Partners in Education

United Way of Salt Lake supports and collaborates with many funded partners who provide resources and opportunities to improve education outcomes like early literacy, middle school math, and high school graduation. By fueling this work, we broaden our impact and empower more students and their families to achieve academic success and thrive.

Funded partner list reflects FY26.

Supporting Youth - Cradle to Career

United Way of Salt Lake supports youth in our community through education initiatives from cradle to career.

How You Can Help

Give

Classrooms and schools need all the support they can get! Donate to support our education work so more kids can reach their full potential.

Make a Donation

Volunteer

Help students in schools across our community reach their full potential through our many volunteer opportunities. Work directly with students to support mentorship and tutoring initiatives, offer reading and literacy support in classrooms, and more.

Find Opportunities

Ways to Donate

Your contributions fuel our early learning initiatives, student mentorship programs, and advocacy efforts. If you are wondering how you can help, here are a few ways to give:

Financial Contributions: Make a one-time or recurring monetary donation to support our cradle-to-career education initiatives. Your financial support allows us to direct funds where they are needed most.
In-Kind Supply Donations: Equipping students with the right tools is essential for academic success. If you are looking to make a school supplies donation in Salt Lake City, we host annual events, such as our Stuff the Bus drive, to collect backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and more. When you donate school supplies, you directly alleviate the financial burden on local families and teachers.
Corporate and Workplace Giving: Partner your business with United Way to multiply your impact. Companies can sponsor schools, match employee donations, or organize large-scale school donations in Utah to support our community-wide initiatives.

Ways to Volunteer

Give the gift of your time and expertise. By working directly with students or helping us organize our community events, you become an active part of their support system.

Mentorship and Tutoring: Become a Promise Student Advocate. Offer reading and literacy support in classrooms, or provide middle school math tutoring to help students build confidence and improve their grades.
Year of Action Events: Participate in our signature volunteer events throughout the year. From helping sort and organize a school supplies donation to participating in literacy fairs, there are year-round opportunities to get hands-on.
Host a Collection Drive: Rally your neighborhood, church group, or workplace to gather items. Hosting a drive is one of the most effective ways to increase school donations in Salt Lake City and ensure our local classrooms remain fully stocked.