As we celebrate the holidays and close out 2024, we’re reflecting on how this year shaped us. The past 12 months have bound us together through community, compassion and hope. Thanks to our dedicated supporters and partners working alongside United Way of Anchorage, we’ve experienced exciting changes and are poised for greater community impact in the coming year.

Our vision is for Anchorage to be a diverse, vibrant community where everyone can achieve their potential. Enacting this vision starts with you. You empower us to extend our programs and assistance to more Alaskans.

Since Eric Utraq Billingsley began leading us as our President and CEO in June 2024, we’ve expanded our reach in Alaska. We’re impacting more Alaskans in many areas, including:

• Education by helping 50 high-risk students graduate through the Back on Track Program.
• Housing security by helping over 200 households to avoid eviction.
• Health by enrolling over 1,000 Alaskans in affordable health care in under four months.

You power our impact. Your support enables us to make a profound difference in our community members’ lives. In addition to the United Way programs, we disbursed over $738,000 to 34 other non-profits improving the lives of Alaskans last year. Your support changes our community.

Recently, a retiring board member told us what inspired her to get involved with us. “United Way is a convening organization focused on root causes and Alaska’s toughest challenges. That sets us apart,” Beth Stuart says. “We try to understand underlying issues and find solutions to them rather than treat their symptoms indefinitely. United Way’s work inspires me to give.”

Whether you’re offering your time or dollars, we appreciate that you’re generously giving what’s meaningful to you. Alaskans’ generosity and care for others help so many people and fuel our efforts. We’re grateful to work alongside you for all Alaskans and wish you a Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year. Thank you for your support!