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CONTACT:
Beylah R. Marks, Director of Marketing and Communications
United Ways of California
(877) 355-8922 x16
bmarks@unitedwaysca.org

United Ways of California Named Winner of 2024-2025 Amazon Web Services IMAGINE Grant for Nonprofits

United Ways of California will work with AWS to supercharge California’s 211 resource and referral centers using generative AI, preparing California to respond to disasters like fires, floods, and earthquakes.

SOUTH PASADENA, Calif., December 9, 2024 — United Ways of California today announced it has been selected as a winner of the 2024 Amazon Web Services (AWS) IMAGINE Grant, a public grant opportunity open to registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations in the United States and registered charities in the United Kingdom and Ireland who are using technology to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. The grant will support United Ways of California’s efforts to provide Californians with helpful, reliable, and timely information and resources by using generative AI to create faster, more efficient 211 systems. The grant will help California’s 211s to better support their communities when they need it most and ensure California is more prepared to respond to disasters like fires, floods, and earthquakes. 

Now in its seventh year, the AWS IMAGINE Grant provides vital resources to nonprofit organizations looking to deploy cloud technology as a central tool to achieve mission goals. As part of the program, AWS seeks proposals for big ideas on how to leverage cloud technology in new and innovative ways to accelerate impact in local and global communities.

United Ways of California was named a winner in the Pathfinder – Generative AI category, which recognizes highly innovative, mission-critical projects that leverage generation AI. United Ways of California will receive $125,000 in unrestricted funding, up to $15,000 in AWS Promotional Credits, and implementation support from the AWS Generative AI Innovation Center. Proposals were judged on several factors, including the innovative and unique nature of the project, impact on mission-critical goals, and clearly defined outcomes and milestones.

211 information and referral systems are critical information hubs during times of crisis and receive an influx of requests during natural disasters, which can mean long wait times for community members and result in abandoned calls. To address this, United Ways of California, in partnership with 12 California United Ways that operate 211 programs as well as the broader state network of 211s, will work with AWS and SoftwareOne to create a generative-AI-powered resource hub and a 211 chat bot built on Amazon Bedrock and designed to serve residents across voice, chat, and SMS text channels in Spanish and English.

The 211 Bot will support and empower human 211 Information & Referral Specialists, not replace them. The bot will give community members with basic questions access to immediate answers, while pushing more complicated or urgent cases straight to live help from 211 Specialists. Simultaneously, the system will catalog the callers and text them immediately with any new, relevant information. Bringing the latest technology to 211 will benefit the millions of Californians who use 211 services each year.

The AWS IMAGINE Grant will fund a pilot version of this 211 Bot for a United Ways of California 211 partner with the hopes of expanding the service to additional 211s in the future.

United Ways operate and/or provide major funding for 211 programs throughout the state. Each year, roughly 3 million Californians use 211 to find food, housing, and disaster relief assistance, among other services. 211 Information & Referral Specialists at 211 provide culturally-sensitive support, information, and referral assistance to people of all income levels, languages, and cultural backgrounds. 211 services are available to 96% of Californians and to 85% of U.S. households, and they play a critical role in providing information and support in times of disaster—such as evacuation, shelter, food, medical and recovery information—and provide public officials with data about changing local conditions.

“211 is a critical resource for our communities, and the latest technology can make it even better,” said Pete Manzo, President & CEO of United Ways of California. “Right now, the system is relying heavily on 211 Specialists to do everything from collecting data to answering basic questions. By using generative AI to help community members get information faster in times of crisis and enable highly trained 211 Specialists to spend more time directly helping those with the greatest need, our 211 partners will be able to support our communities even better in times of crisis like natural disasters. We’re grateful to AWS for this grant to support the development of this key infrastructure optimization that will have a substantial impact on our communities.” 

“At AWS, we’re inspired by the nonprofit sector’s unwavering commitment to preserving the dignity and health of people and our planet,” said Allyson Fryhoff, managing director of nonprofit and nonprofit health at AWS. “Our IMAGINE Grant winners are pioneering groundbreaking, technology-driven approaches that will amplify their mission impact and build a more equitable and compassionate world. We are thrilled to work alongside these organizations, helping them leverage the transformative capabilities of the AWS Cloud to bring these projects to life.”

Since the launch of the IMAGINE Grant program in 2018, AWS has awarded over $14M in unrestricted funds, AWS Promotional Credits, and expert technical guidance to over 130 nonprofit organizations in support of their technology-driven goals. Previous winners are currently using AWS services to tackle critical challenges such as eliminating barriers to food security, improving maternal health outcomes, helping millions access clean and safe drinking water globally, tackling rare disease research, and more.

Over 85,000 nonprofit organizations worldwide use AWS to increase their impact and advance mission goals. Through multiple programs tailored specifically to the nonprofit community, AWS enables nonprofits of all sizes to overcome barriers to technology adoption, while enhancing the scale, performance, and capabilities of mission operations.

For more information on the AWS IMAGINE Grant, visit aws.amazon.com/government-education/nonprofits/aws-imagine-grant-program.

ABOUT UNITED WAYS OF CALIFORNIA

United Ways of California mobilizes the caring power of communities to improve health, education, and financial results for low-income children and families. In partnership with California’s local United Ways, United Ways of California implements community impact programs and advocates for policies that advance opportunities for Californians, working toward an equitable California where every individual has the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. To learn more, visit unitedwaysca.org.