The United Way of North Central Florida (UWNCFL) is joining the United Way Worldwide (UWW) in announcing a new refreshed brand to reflect the organization’s reach and impact in communities.

The UWW is one of the world’s oldest and largest privately funded charities and helps more than 48 million people annually, including UWNCFL’s six-county region of Alachua, Bradford, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy and Union counties.

The special brand reveal and ribbon-cutting event, in partnership with the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4 to celebrate this new milestone. This event will be held at the UWNCFL office, located at 6031 NW 1st Place in Gainesville. There will be speeches, tours, hors d’oeuvres and more. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 12:15 p.m.

“The global brand refresh is a significant milestone in our organization’s 137-year history and represents our commitment to evolve and innovate in order to meet the changing needs of our communities worldwide,” said Angela F. Williams, president and CEO of UWW, in a press release. “It signifies our organization’s longstanding journey, while also embodying our transformative approach to remain relevant, sustainable, impactful now and in the future.”  

According to the release, “United Way’s global brand refresh effort comes at a time when data reveal a decline in the proportion of Americans who volunteer or contribute to nonprofit organizations. Through this renewed strategy, United Way aims to spur greater engagement and action among the public and reinforce what United Way stands for, how it’s different, and why audiences should be engaged with the work of United Way. Underpinning the revitalized brand are four impact areas – youth opportunity, healthy community, financial security, and community resiliency – that highlight United Way’s expertise and unwavering commitment.”

The global brand refresh came after UWW was informed through a comprehensive brand discovery process that included both quantitative and qualitative research and the global and local levels reflecting the needs of communities.

“By aligning with the global brand refresh, and further unifying with our global network, our United Way will be better equipped to tackle the unique needs of our community and drive meaningful change in the lives of individuals and families here in North Central Florida,” said Amber Miller, President and CEO of United Way of North Central Florida, in the release. “This strategic branding approach helps us to better amplify the impact we are having not just in North Central Florida but in all communities where we operate.”

The United Way will also roll out a new branding campaign theme, “United is the Way™.” The new theme will activate the Untied Way name into a declarative statement of purpose, “United is the Way” that will invite all people and communities to take action and make a bigger impact, together.

The brand refresh will include a revitalized visual identity. The UWW’s iconic circle of hope logo will now be unboxed to signify the dynamic nature of the 137-year-old organization, which – through its deep roots in tens of thousands of communities around the world – listens and responds in real-time to changing, pressing needs.

The new brand will be rolled out across all UWW’s communication channels, which includes a refreshed website. UWW is confident that the global brand refresh will now resonate with its diverse global audience while inspiring increased engagement and support of communities worldwide.