Causes: Federated Giving Programs, Philanthropy

Mission: United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra mission is to link the community's will and resources to improve lives.

Target demographics: Helping families and individuals reach their full potential.

Direct beneficiaries per year: The Northern Nevada Reading Coalition alone reached over 200,000 children, 14,000 families and provided over 40,000 books to children who might not otherwise have books at home.

Geographic areas served: 13 counties in northern Nevada and around the Lake Tahoe basin.

Programs: United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra provides basic need services that are essential to the community. These programs include Nevada 2-1-1, Familywize, myfreetaxes. com, and the Emergency Food & Shelter Program. UWNNS is the connector and convener of the Pacesetter award-winner, The Northern Nevada Reading Coalition, bringing the community together to improve early childhood (ages 0-5) literacy and kindergarten readiness in northern Nevada. UWNNS invests in five quality-based programs that aim to increase family engagement and development of our region's children.