New dashboard provides data about community needs in Hardee, Highlands, and Polk counties
LAKELAND, FL (July 30, 2025) – GiveWell Community Foundation (GWCF) and United Way of Central Florida (UWCF) are excited to launch the United Community Indicators Dashboard, an online interactive tool that provides snapshots of key metrics that focus on community needs. The dashboard (ucindicators.org) is the second phase of the joint GWCF/UWCF United Community Needs Assessment (UCNA) project, which measured community needs in the tri-county area of Hardee, Highlands, and Polk counties in central Florida.
“We are proud to offer this valuable resource to our community,” said Callie Neslund, GiveWell Community Foundation’s President and CEO. “The data available on the dashboard will benefit nonprofit organizations, governments, educators, and community members as we focus on our most pressing needs, and track trends and outcomes.”
In addition to UWCF and GWCF, the UCNA process involved community leaders throughout the tri-county area, as well as residents who completed the surveys and participated in focus groups. As a result of the process, six priority domains were identified: economy & employment, education, food security, housing, quality of life, and transportation & infrastructure. The dashboard provides data about these domains for each of the three counties.
“The United Community Indicators project gives our community a shared foundation for action,” said Christina Criser Jackson, United Way of Central Florida’s President and CEO. “With clear, accessible data, we can continue to align efforts to meet the most urgent needs across Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties.”
United Community Indicators Project Overview
A Collaborative Data Resource for Hardee, Highlands, and Polk Counties
Project Partners:
- United Way of Central Florida
- GiveWell Community Foundation
Overview:
The United Community Indicators project is the second phase of the United Community Needs Assessment (UCNA)—a collaborative initiative designed to provide a clear, accessible snapshot of the most pressing needs across Hardee, Highlands, and Polk counties. This tool empowers local stakeholders with up-to-date, actionable data to inform decision-making, advocacy, and resource allocation.
Purpose & Impact:
This platform is built to serve:
- Municipal leaders and elected officials advocating for policy and funding.
- Nonprofit organizations applying for grants and designing community programs.
- Media partners reporting on human interest stories.
- Philanthropic organizations like GiveWell Community Foundation and United Way of Central Florida, responding to real-time community needs.
Key Features:
- Interactive Data Dashboards: Visualize trends in education, employment, food security, housing, quality of life, and transportation.
- County-Level Snapshots: Tailored insights for each of the three counties.
- Regular Updates: Ensures stakeholders are working from the most current data available.
Why It Matters:
The tri-county region faces complex challenges:
- Economic Barriers: Many households fall below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold
- Affordable Housing Shortages: Rising costs and limited inventory are displacing vulnerable populations.
- Youth and Education Needs: With a growing under-18 population, access to quality education and childcare is critical.
- Transportation Gaps: Infrastructure limitations hinder access to jobs, healthcare, and education.
Vision for the Future:
Philanthropy alone cannot solve systemic issues. The United Community Indicators project fosters a shared understanding of community needs, enabling collaborative action across sectors. By aligning strategies and resources, we can build a more resilient, equitable, and thriving region.
Explore the Data:
Visit ucindicators.org to access the latest insights and join the movement toward data-informed community transformation.
About United Way of Central Florida United Way of Central Florida mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive. We bring people, resources, and ideas together to identify service gaps and co-create solutions that strengthen Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties. Through partnerships with qualified organizations, we advance Youth Opportunity, Healthy Community, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency.
We amplify donor dollars through local matches, convene partners to improve efficiencies, and broker services that deliver the greatest return on investment in areas of critical need. Because we believe no one can do their best if they are hungry, sick, or in pain. To learn more, visit uwcf.org or call 863.648.1500.