At United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, we believe meaningful change begins with a clear understanding of our purpose, our values, and how we work alongside others to build a stronger community.
That’s why we’ve taken the time to define what drives us. These phrases aren’t just statements—they’re the foundation of every decision we make, every partnership we form, and every action we take to support the people of Buncombe County.
VISION: A united and resilient community where everyone belongs and everyone thrives.
MISSION: We bring people, partners, and resources together to improve lives and tackle our community's toughest challenges.
IMPACT AREAS: Youth Opportunity | Community Resiliency
Approved in 2025 by our full board of directors, the 2026-28 Strategic Plan:
- builds upon our previous commitments to align our work around Youth Opportunity, through our support of United for Youth and Community Schools, and
- in the wake of Helene, establishes our commitment to Community Resiliency, through the phases of Relief, Rebuilding, and Preparedness.
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How we show up in our community is just as important as what we do. These Guiding Principles will serve as an outward-facing promise and an inward-facing set of standards for all board, staff, and volunteers.
Accountability Driven: Earn community trust through dependability, transparency, & a commitment to achieving results
Equity at the Center: Recognize & challenge narratives, norms, & power structures that prevent all people from belonging & thriving
Courageous Leadership: Live out our Vision, Mission, & Guiding Principles with empathy & compassion, even when difficult or unpopular
Collective Wisdom: Ensure that our work is guided by community expertise, including the lived experience of people most impacted by poverty & injustice
Embracing Change: Continuously learn, innovate, & evolve to confront emerging challenges & opportunities
We believe in the inherent worth and dignity of all people. We know that only by working together, using data-informed strategies, and connecting to the collective wisdom of our entire community, can we tackle tough problems, create opportunities for all, and move closer to our vision of a united and resilient community where everyone belongs and everyone thrives.
We believe in the inherent worth and dignity of all people. Because of this, the staff and board of United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County commit to:
- Recognize the many ways inequity, particularly racial inequity, takes form both historically and today;
- Name the structures that uphold injustice and work to eliminate these barriers to inclusion and equity from our own work and in our community;
- Build the relationships needed to do this work and, with humility, join community efforts and invite others to join us; and
- Actively honor, engage and embrace diversity with the core belief that it will strengthen our systems, partnerships, and community.