"The best philanthropy is constantly in search of the finalities – a search for a cause, an attempt to cure evils at their source." - John Rockefeller
 
Facing human suffering on a daily basis weighs heavily on the human-service worker, but we find great rewards creating solutions and changing conditions. Consistent trends of resource reduction and need growth are challenging the human service sector more and more each year. It is not enough to provide relief. We must find sustainable solutions.
 
What is Community Impact? I am community impact. You are community impact. Collectively we are community impact. Only by working together and combining our philanthropic efforts can we reverse the overwhelming trends facing our community. If together we use proven methods and focus on solutions to the root causes of generational poverty, symptoms such as violence, poor health and unprepared work forces will dissipate.
 
United Way of the Cape Fear Area (UWCFA) is uniquely positioned to assess the picture from outside the frame and make neutral decisions based on data and evidence. Solutions are not found in any one entity; their parts exist through the efforts of many different organizations including for-profit, government, nonprofit and faith-based organizations. UWCFA works tirelessly to assemble these parts, eliminate wasteful duplication and nurture the solutions to fruition.
 
UWCFA Community Impact fund invests currently in 43 different strategies to find solutions for communities in Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender Counties. Our vision is a healthy, safe and prosperous community for everyone. We know that we cannot achieve our goal alone; it will take all of us living in a united way. We know that everyone has something to contribute towards the solution.
 
Solutions require us to step outside of our everyday experiences and look objectively at our community. They have to be locally driven and customized to our region. We must embrace change and respect the past, yet refuse to be bound by it. Any difficult problem requires innovation to solve. The innovation our region needs requires a Community Impact focus. Join the movement and help us impact more lives today.
 

Tommy Taylor, born in Mansfield, Ohio, achieved his Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Guilford College, and most recently achieved his Masters in Public Administration from UNCW in 2019. Tommy’s career started as a Crisis and College Counselor at Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, Virginia. After 4 years, Tommy moved to his favorite vacation spot, Wilmington, North Carolina, and started his new career as the Regional Development Manager for Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC. Six years later, after tripling food distribution and doubling revenues, he accepted the Vice President of Community Impact position at the United Way of the Cape Fear Area. Now serving as the CEO, Tommy is thankful to be able to see the good side of the world that many people do not get a chance to experience and to be able to be part of the solutions to our community's deepest problems.