Our Story, Mission & Vision
Rooted in faith, committed to community, and guided by God’s vision since 2004.
How It All Began
The Union Foundation was established in 2004 when Rev. Dr. Orlando B. Yates, Senior Pastor of Union Baptist Church, Inc., presented God’s vision for a foundation that would build upon endowments and donations for present and future ministries.
After the Board of Trustees was appointed, The Union Foundation received official 501(c)(3) non-profit status on March 30, 2007, formalizing its commitment to serve both the congregation and the broader Cincinnati community.
Today, the Foundation operates with the highest moral and ethical standards, encouraging individuals to act as good stewards of their resources — time, talents, and monetary gifts — in service of God’s work.
Our Journey
Rev. Dr. Orlando B. Yates presents God’s vision for The Union Foundation, establishing the organization to build upon endowments and donations for present and future ministries.
On March 30, 2007, The Union Foundation receives official 501(c)(3) non-profit status following the appointment of the Board of Trustees.
The Freddie Powell Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund is established to honor the life and legacy of Freddie Powell Jr. (1966–2013), celebrating his generous and selfless service to Cincinnati and the church community.
The Union Foundation is awarded a Historic Preservation Fund Grant, recognizing its work in preserving two of Cincinnati’s most historically significant African-American cemeteries.
Mission & Vision
Our Mission
To generate resources and services to positively impact the lives of all people in our community and to support the expansion of God’s work. We support Union Baptist Church’s ministries to advance commitment to Jesus Christ and provide services relevant to nurturing the holistic person — spirit, soul, mind, and body.
Our Vision
To advance the Kingdom of God in all its fullness and to expand the circle of God’s Love — obeying Christ’s commandment to love one another. We seek to fulfill the Great Commission through evangelistic programs and human services that address the holistic needs of the varied family structures of the community at large.
Our Core Commitments
These principles guide everything we do as a foundation committed to God, community, and excellence.
- Excellence in All Things — We strive for continuous improvement and the highest standards in every program and initiative we undertake.
- Moral & Ethical Standards — We operate with the highest moral and ethical standards, ensuring trust and accountability in all that we do.
- Good Stewardship — We encourage individuals to act as good stewards of their resources: time, talents, and monetary gifts, in service of God’s purpose.
- Partnerships & Collaboration — We build collaborations with churches, philanthropic organizations, non-profits, the public sector, and businesses to amplify impact.
- Holistic Community Service — We address the holistic needs of varied family structures in the community, serving spirit, soul, mind, and body.
- Fulfilling the Great Commission — We fulfill Christ’s Great Commission through evangelistic programs and human services rooted in Matthew 28:19–20.