GRACE BONILLA Leading Through Change: Grace Bonilla and the Evolving Mission of United Way of New York City

As someone who began my career at the United Way of New York City (then called The United Fund of Greater New York) some 50 years ago, I was thrilled to sit down with Grace Bonilla, the current President and CEO, for a candid conversation about the organization’s work, challenges, and vision. Grace’s leadership comes at a pivotal moment for both the nonprofit sector and New York City, as post-pandemic realities continue to shape how we address systemic poverty and equity.

Adapting to New Realities

UWNYC’s enduring mission is to empower New Yorkers to flourish. However, as Grace noted, the city’s needs have transformed over time, prompting the organization to adapt accordingly.

“The mission has always been steady: we want New Yorkers to thrive. What has changed is the needs of New Yorkers, and we have been at the forefront of addressing both emerging and longstanding policy needs to ensure that New Yorkers are thriving,” Grace shared.

This adaptability is evident in UWNYC’s focus on four key pillars: health equity, education equity, mental health support for system-involved individuals, and access to food and benefits. These areas are crucial to providing all New Yorkers with dignity and opportunity.

A Sector in Recovery

Leading UWNYC in the aftermath of COVID-19 has presented unique challenges. Upon taking the helm, Grace encountered significant fatigue within the nonprofit sector—not just organizational strain, but also individual burnout among workers.

“What I didn’t account for was the exhaustion in the sector post-COVID. We were facing probably the worst vacancies in the social services sector that we’ve ever faced, with a workforce that was really exhausted post-COVID. We needed to take care of the caretakers before we got the work done,” she reflected.

This reality has influenced Grace’s leadership approach, prioritizing workforce support across the sector to ensure sustainability for future changemakers.

Addressing Food Insecurity with Dignity

Food insecurity remains a pressing issue, intensified by economic pressures. Grace emphasized that UWNYC’s efforts extend beyond food distribution to encompass the dignity of recipients.

“For most of the 86 years that we have been around, and food has always been part of our DNA, we were just trying to fill pantries with whatever food was possible. The last couple of years have allowed us to be introspective and say, ‘Wait a minute. Dignity means that our neighbors get food that’s nutritious to them,’” Grace explained.

Through partnerships with upstate farms and investments in urban agriculture, UWNYC ensures that New Yorkers receive nutritious and culturally appropriate food, exemplifying how nonprofits can reimagine their impact.

The Road Ahead

Looking forward, Grace is focused on workforce development in the era of artificial intelligence and addressing the needs of the “forgotten middle”—those who are neither poor enough to qualify for benefits nor affluent enough to achieve financial stability.

“There is a section of New Yorkers and Americans that are unseen. They’re uncounted. They are not poor enough for benefits. They are not wealthy enough to own homes. And sometimes, their voice goes unheard,” Grace said. “Where we sit at United Way of New York City, we can be part of the vehicle for that voice to be heard.”

Grace’s optimism and determination are evident in every UWNYC initiative, reminding us that systemic change is achievable when we prioritize dignity, partnerships, and meeting people where they are.

To listen to the full interview or read the transcript, just click here.

Denver Frederick, Host of The Business of Giving serves as a Trusted Advisor and Executive Coach to Nonprofit Leaders. His Book,?The Business of Giving: New Best Practices for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Leaders in an Uncertain World, is available now on?Amazon?and?Barnes & Noble.