1 in 3 Frederick County households struggle to afford basic human needs.
Each year, the Unity Campaign supports the more than one out of every three households in Frederick County that struggle to afford basic human necessities. The campaign specifically funds programs directly supporting the health, education, and financial stability of ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) households that have been adversely impacted by COVID-19. Together, we can make a huge difference!
The Unity Campaign is a collaborative project between nonprofit partners, sponsors, and the greater Frederick community to support our most vulnerable neighbors by giving to a nonprofit organization of their choice during the 12 days of giving.
The 2021 Unity Campaign raised nearly $660,000 from 1,424 contributions in support of 31 organizations who support ALICE households in Frederick County.
2021 Incentive Match Sponsors
Through the generosity of our Incentive Match sponsors, 100% of individual contributions go directly to the designated nonprofit. In addition, individual gifts are boosted because a portion of your donation is matched by the sponsors.
Thank you to our Incentive Match Sponsors!
Ausherman Family Foundation
Delaplaine Foundation
Equity United Mortgage
Legacy House Title
Springirth Services
Randall Family Foundation
Troyce Gatewood & Partners
2021 Promotional Sponsors
88 Visual
Manning Media
The Frederick News-Post
US Bulk Mail
History of the Campaign
Launched in 2014, the Unity Campaign was built on the success of two previous fundraising efforts – Frederick 48 and Frederick News-Post’s Season of Hope. When county funding for our local nonprofits were being eliminated, an effort was begun to “fill the gap” by raising funds from the Frederick Community. The Unity Campaign has a clear and vital mission to support local nonprofits who serve ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households in need of food, shelter, clothing, financial sustainability, and healthcare as well as at-risk children and youth. Starting in 2017, the Unity Campaign became a annual project of United Way of Frederick County. The Frederick News-Post remains a strong partner of the campaign.
2021 Unity Campaign Partners
Who is ALICE?
ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households have incomes above the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), but struggle to afford basic household necessities.
In Frederick County, MD, 35,291 households (37%) cannot afford basic needs such as housing, transportation, child care, food, transportation, health care and technology. Despite overall improvement in the federal poverty level, employment rates and gain in median income, the economic recovery in Frederick County, like that in the rest of Maryland, had not reached all families before the deleterious impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. A growing number of families now face challenges from low wages, reduced work hours, depleted savings and increasing costs.
Nonprofit Partner Resources