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Wealth inequality is higher in the United States than in almost any other developed country and has risen for much of the past 60 years. Racial wealth inequities have persisted for generations, reflecting the long-standing effects of racist policies, not individual intentions or deficits. In a nation that professes that those who work hard and play by the rules should be rewarded with social and economic upward mobility, these persistent disparities are a stark reminder that, as a society, we have not achieved this goal. - Urban Institute

Newly added content:

WE’RE THE LEADERS WE’RE LOOKING FOR PODCAST
United Way of the Wine Country has launched a podcast. Listen to the most recent episode above or learn more and find more episodes here:

UNITED WAY OF THE WINE COUNTRY VIDEOS
Conversations on Economic, Race & Social Equity Part 4

PRESS DEMOCRAT OP-ED - JUNE 16, 2025
Lisa addresses how the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ affects our community

UNITED WAY OF THE WINE COUNTRY EMAIL ARCHIVE
Visit our email newsletter archive.


THE 707 PODCAST
November 15, 2025

Addressing the Hunger Crisis: United Way of the Wine Country

Lisa G. Carreño, President and CEO of United Way of the Wine Country talks with Michelle Marques.


PRESS DEMOCRAT OP-ED
June 16, 2025

Close to Home: ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ cuts the safety net

We need a budget that reflects our values — not one that punishes those who hold our communities together.

by Lisa Carreño

Across Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt and Del Norte counties, we share a simple but powerful belief: every person deserves dignity, compassion and fairness. These values are the foundation of strong communities — places where every child goes to bed nourished, every senior receives the care they need, and every family, regardless of income, has a fair shot at economic security. For over 55 years, United Way of the Wine Country has worked alongside our neighbors and partners to help families meet their basic needs and build brighter futures.

But today, those values — and the well-being of thousands of our neighbors — are under threat. H.R. 1, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” now before Congress, would make deep cuts to programs that keep our communities healthy and resilient…

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CONVERSATIONS ON ECONOMIC, RACE & SOCIAL EQUITY PART 4

United Way of the Wine Country’s President & CEO, Lisa G. Carreño continues the conversation with Laurie Lynn Hogan, MBA, Principal Steward, The Connection Company about the new direction of the organization and how United Way Worldwide’s “United is the Way” campaign emobies our local efforts.

CONVERSATIONS ON ECONOMIC, RACE & SOCIAL EQUITY PART 3

United Way of the Wine Country’s President & CEO, Lisa G. Carreño discuss what it takes for us to sit with the folks that need to hear the impacts of big decisions that are being made in the world, how to have meaningful conversations, and to connect with each other on a one human to another human basis.

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BITE-SIZED SAMPLES OF CONVERSATION 3

What does it take for us to sit with the folks that need to hear the impacts of the big decisions that are being made in the world?

The need to interact with and have discussions with people who are a part of us but we don't necessarily agree with.

Join us in some of the spaces where we're having conversations and where we are plugging our community into the work that's being done.

The first thing is to have the courage to show up for the conversation and whatever is going to be in the conversation.

We're in a moment when, at the federal level, we have this "disturbance in the force." However, that's just the latest in a long line of emergencies.

Something people can do? Support our 211 platform that connects people with the resources and supporting our free tax assistance services.

What's the magic recipe when something is said in the conversation that goes against everything you stand for and believe?

What are some of the challenges that are unfolding in our region and how are they affecting our communities during this "pregnant moment."

United Way has become a space for learning about what belonging building and trust building in philanthropy really, geniunely look like.

Right now we see a lot of the weaponization of fear but we need to recognize the fear comes from a very old wound or trauma.

United is the way. The moment that we're in in this community invites all of us to think about what's important to us and how we want to show up.

We are one. So if I set aside the conditioning I've experienced then I can truly listen and be in community with you.

What United Way is for our donor community is a channel for connecting thousands of other people to access to the resources they need.

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CONVERSATIONS ON ECONOMIC, RACE & SOCIAL EQUITY PART 2

United Way of the Wine Country’s President & CEO, Lisa G. Carreño continues the conversation with Laurie Lynn Hogan, MBA, Principal Steward, The Connection Company about the new direction of the organization and how Community-Centric Fundraising provides the framework for achieving the organization’s mission.

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CONVERSATIONS ON ECONOMIC, RACE & SOCIAL EQUITY PART 1

United Way of the Wine Country’s President & CEO, Lisa G. Carreño is interviewed by Laurie Lynn Hogan, MBA, Principal Steward, The Connection Company about the new direction of the organization, why United Way of the Wine Country has shifted focus, and how programs like 2-1-1 and Earn It, Keep It, $ave It support that shift.

BITE-SIZED SAMPLES OF CONVERSATION 1

We need to get to the root causes of what makes it easy for some to have everything and for many to have...

We need this change now because we have no other choice, but it is potentially the hardest because...

Unlike the official poverty measure which primarily accounts for the cost of food, the Real Cost Measure...

Community-Centric Fundraising is a body of thought - focused on principles of economic, race...

Is all this true or is this fake news? Open your eyes and look around. Walk in the neighborhood that...

2-1-1 provides a safe space for those in need to access the vital, culturally appropriate resources...

It is about creating belonging, recognizing and appreciating the assets of everybody in the...

The people with the fewest resources are most affected by the challenges we’ve faced in our community over...

It costs so much to be poor in America. People living on the margins know how to make every penny...

Just throwing a lot of money at a whole host of social problems hasn't changed them...

 In truth what’s happening is that there’s all kinds of power and opportunity available when...

Thanks to supporters like the County of Sonoma, EKS provides life changing refunds to help...

United Way of the Wine Country strives to create a sense of belonging to a cause that is greater than...

We have a much more solid understanding now about how economic and race equity play...

 When we say we’re not just your grandparents’ United Way, what we mean is that we’re a United Way...

My advice is follow your heart. Join the conversation. Don't be afraid of what you don't know...

It has been well researched and over decades that this free tax service, which is provided by…

Put simply, community centrism is putting the community that we want to serve in the center of everything...

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RESOURCES

United Way adopted Community Centric Fundraising (CCF) principles to transform local philanthropy and nonprofit management. CCF promotes fundraising grounded in equity and social justice, emphasizing collaboration over competition and advocating for the holistic well-being of communities. We aim to shift from competitive and extractive practices to racially, economically, and socially equitable norms by engaging in deep conversations with nonprofits, funders, businesses, and political leaders to raise understanding and support for CCF. Ultimately, our goal is nothing short of transforming how we do fundraising and community investment in Sonoma County. 

Our approach includes building relationships with community-based organizations, especially those led by people of color, raising and providing flexible funding, and investing in the capacity-building needs of our organization and our partners’. We are also advocating for policies and practices that promote equity and inclusion in philanthropy and nonprofit management.

These resources have been pulled together to support the continued collaboration focused on developing Sonoma County’s Community of Practice and to more deeply implement CCF principles that shift fundraising and community investment practices from transactional to deeply relational.

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