United Way of Cumberland County recently moved into a downtown facility that will better equip them to implement their vision of enhancing all citizens’ quality of life. On Dec. 3rd, 2024 they held a grand opening and ribbon cutting along with the Greater Fayetteville Chamber that attracted 100 visitors to their new 321 Dick Street location.
“It's not extravagant,” said Scott Embry, Executive Director of United Way of Cumberland County, “but it's a nice office building that meets all the needs of the United Way and allows us to stay focused on our mission.”
Embry said United Way serves as a central location for raising and distributing funds for nonprofit programs.
“What we do is allow these nonprofits to just focus on the work, and they don't have to spend as much of their time planning galas and fundraisers and 5ks,” he explained.
He said the need to downsize instigated the move. Maintenance in their previous location was too expensive, so they sold the building and moved into a temporary location. From there, they moved to 321 Dick Street.
“We really want to be the center of this community, we were really just needing a smaller, more efficient space,” he said. “Where we ended up is perfect for that.”
Ashlee Pearson, Director of Development at United Way of Cumberland County agreed.
“We’re able to do a lot more,” she shared. “It's just honestly amazing.”
Pearson explained that UWCC wants to “improve lives across Cumberland County by strategically raising and investing resources that successfully impact and prioritize human services and needs while working in effective and innovative partnerships with direct provider agencies each year.”
According to UWCC’s website, their 2023/2024 impact included 171,013 people helped, 4,601 volunteer hours, $1,019,474 funds granted, and 789 volunteers.
Commenting on the collaboration and volunteer efforts within the community, Embry said, “I love that Fayetteville is such a compassionate, giving community. You know that slogan that you see with Fayetteville, the 'Can-Do City'? I think it's true. I don't think it's just a slogan.”
He hopes their move downtown will free them up to focus on their work instead of maintaining a building and allow them to offer their new facility as a meeting space for agency partners, “We want people to know where we are and to utilize us.”
Embry shared that they’ve intentionally brought elements of the old into the new. They’ve repurposed exterior signs from the old building in the interior of the new building, even bringing elements such as an iconic bell that donors ring after making donations, which has been with UWCC for decades.
Several new staff members have been added to the team in the last couple of years, including Embry himself, who joined as Executive Director in 2024. Embry said many staff members feel the move is a “fresh start” for everyone.
“We don’t want to forget our roots, but we do need to be working on new stuff, and this is a great home to do it in,” he elaborated.
Embry articulated an open invitation to anyone wanting to learn how to get involved with UWCC’s mission.
“If they want to get involved with their time, talent or treasure, we need all of those and we'd love to sit down and have some dialog around it.”
Contact and upcoming event information can be found on the UWCC Facebook page and website at https://www.unitedway-cc.org/

(Photo: The United Way of Cumberland County held their ribbon cutting ceremony for their new location on Dec. 3, 2024. Photo courtesy United Way of Cumberland County)