Wells Fargo Donates $1M To California United Ways

CASTRO VALLEY, CA — Wells Fargo has donated $1 million to United Ways of California to bolster financial empowerment and community resilience programs across more than 30 counties. A quarter of the funds—$250,000—will directly support United Way Bay Area (UWBA) and its SparkPoint centers, which provide free financial planning and support services to low-income individuals and families.

There are 10 sites in the East Bay. See the list below to find the most convenient option for you.

SparkPoint centers, a cornerstone of UWBA’s poverty-fighting initiatives, offer clients personalized financial coaching, career guidance, tax preparation, and credit counseling at no cost. In addition to financial services, families can access essential resources like food, housing, and utility assistance.

“Building pathways to financial prosperity is what we do at United Way Bay Area’s SparkPoint centers,” said Keisha Browder, CEO of UWBA. “Thank you to Wells Fargo for investing in this important community programming, which helps create healthier financial habits and lays the foundation for people to achieve economic security.”

The grant aligns with Wells Fargo’s focus on financial health and housing, helping low-income Californians build wealth through region-specific programs.

“We are excited to support California United Ways to advance the important work they do to strengthen communities,” said Gregg Sherkin, senior vice president of Philanthropy & Community Impact at Wells Fargo. “In the Bay Area, SparkPoint centers help families build better financial futures that can be life-changing for generations to come.”

According to UWBA research, students who participate in SparkPoint services are 127-percent more likely to remain enrolled in college compared to those who do not receive support.

“Financial security is a key impact area of United Way, particularly in California where a high cost of living results in one in three households struggling to make ends meet,” said Pete Manzo, president and CEO of United Ways of California. “This is an exciting opportunity to align the many United Way financial security efforts across the state while ensuring each region can implement what is most needed and impactful.”

The United Way Bay Area continues to fight poverty through employment assistance, financial stability programs, and advocacy for housing justice.

Here is a list of SparkPoint locations in the East Bay:

• Chabot College, Hayward
• Contra Costa College, San Pablo
• Contra Costa East, Bay Point
• Contra Costa West, Richmond
• Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill
• Downtown Oakland
• Fremont Family Resource Center
• Laney College, Oakland
• Union City Family Center
• West Oakland Job Resource Center

More information can be found at www.uwba.org.