United Way of Broome County currently has 29 local member agencies. 

All member agencies provide assistance in the areas of health and human services. Most of them offer many programs, but United Way provides funds only to some of them. 

United Way also operates five local services that benefit the community. 

United Way has one national member agency, but it receives funds only when specifically mentioned by a person making a donation to United Way.

United Way provides funds to about 100 specific programs at its member agencies and elsewhere in the community in these six areas of community service: 

1. Assisting Older Adults programs includes programs that address quality of life for older adults through recreational and cultural programs; promotion of well being and self-sufficiency through counseling and education.

2. Promoting Health and Wellness programs provide services for individuals and families with disabilities, mental illness, addictions, and other special needs, including information, counseling, referrals, and support groups.

3. Strengthening Families programs include programs that provide individual, adolescent, marital and family counseling; child care; foster care and adoption services; and parent and home health care aides and support.

4. Helping Young People Succeed programs include youth development through citizenship and leadership programs, physical education programs, and sports activities; and hands-on experience through teen apprenticing.

5. Responding to Emergencies, Including Fighting Hunger and Homelessness programs includes assistance for disaster victims and others in need of food, clothing, or shelter; and assistance for victims of domestic violence.

6. Building a Stronger Community programs include those that provide community-wide services, such as referral to community resources, technical assistance for agencies, and coordination of volunteer activities.

United Way member agencies and the programs funded by United Way are concerned with community needs for all age groups from infants through older adults

United Way provides Venture and Special Assistance Grants to about 15 local agencies each year—both member and non-member agencies.

The mission of United Way of Broome County as stated in the By-laws is to operate for charitable purposes only and have as its goal the development of Broome County as a community where the health, recreation, and welfare needs of all people are met equitably and thoroughly regardless of race, religion, or economic status.

In Broome County, the "united" fundraising concept dates back to at least 1918 with the formation of the Binghamton United Relief Organization. Nationally, the organization now known as United Way began as an effort to consolidate fund raising activities among local charities in Denver, Colorado, more than a century ago.

The member agencies and direct services programs supported by United Way assisted local people more than 190,000 times in 2006.

The Day of Caring program, coordinated by United Way's Voluntary Action Center, provides an opportunity for employee groups and others to participate in one-day volunteer projects at local non-profit agencies. Since 2002, Day of Caring has been held as a yearly event on or near the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Each year more than 1,000 volunteers participate.

United Way is involvement with many community programs. Its Gifts-in-Kind program serves as a link between non-profit agencies in need of equipment, furnishings, and supplies and companies or individuals that want to donate surplus goods to benefit the community.

Working with several other organizations in Broome County, including Partnership 2000, BOCES, and several local school districts, United Way is taking steps to improve child care in our area.

United Way helped develop a database of homeless shelter vacancies and helped organize a  web site to allow police, social service workers, and others to easily access information about shelter vacancies to refer those in need of a place to stay.

United Way also helped develop a Citizens Corps Council to help the community prepare for emergencies. United Way also services on the local Federal Emergency Management Aid (FEMA) board, which helps allocate resources to the community during emergencies.

United Way is involved with the Aging Futures Partnership, which helps to identify the needs of local seniors and determine which community programs can help fill those needs. This coalition of local organizations identified seven needs of the local aging population and has been awarded a four-year, grant to help fund strategies to address the top three issues affecting seniors: supporting caregivers, managing chronic illnesses, and reducing social isolation.

Teaming for Technology, a United Way-funded program, helps local non-profit organizations with their computing and technological needs through the distribution of computers and donated by IBM and other companies, and the technical assistance provided by the program’s two staff members.

In collaboration with other organizations, United Way supported the annual "Keeping Kids Warm" coat drive for children in Broome County. About 2,000 coats are collected, cleaned, and distributed through local human service agencies, schools, and churches each year.