United Way of Greater Cleveland Lays Off Nine Workers In Effort to Ensure Nonprofit's 'Long-Term Stability'

United Way is downsizing. Nine employees were let go from two of its offices, including its main base in Playhouse Square. Credit: Scene

In order to respond to a changing atmosphere for nonprofits post-pandemic, the United Way of Greater Cleveland announced it laid off nine of its employees in Cuyahoga and Geauga counties, Crain’s reported on Monday.

Workers let go include those in HR, marketing, and resource development at the nonprofit’s offices in Playhouse Square, along with two other employees that worked out of its satellite office in Chardon.

A spokesperson told Crain’s that the layoffs were necessary to keep United Way operating smoothly in the years ahead.

“We’re really navigating a shifting philanthropic landscape,” she said, “and we were implementing these internal changes to make sure our organization’s long-term sustainability and service to the community reflect what we need in terms of the future sustainability of the organization.”

United Way’s social services arm provides a range of public assistance in three counties—helping people find food and jobs, securing pro bono attorneys in eviction cases, operating a hotline for veterans and gambling addicts, and more.

The organization has somewhat downsized in recent years. It reported $23 million in revenue in 2023, half of what it reported, $46 million, eleven years before that.

Scene reached out to United Way on Monday, yet did not hear back in time for publication.