United Way of Central Iowa’s mission is to improve lives by uniting the caring power of our community. That’s what we stand for; it’s central to every partnership we forge, every dollar we raise and invest.

United Way of Central Iowa believes the best way to help the most people is by focusing on underlying causes to our community’s most serious problems. Since 1917, business and civic leadership and the citizens of central Iowa have looked to United Way as an organization that unites partners throughout the community to address those problems. United Way has transformed its work from a fundraising organization to a community leader that:

• Identifies and builds on community strengths and assets,
• Helps individuals and groups with specific community interests find ways to contribute their time and talents,
• Supports programs and agencies that provide direct services to help individuals and families, and
• Advocates for public policy that improves community conditions.

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Asking for help is hard.  Getting help is easy.  United Way funds 2-1-1, a bilingual, 24/7 information and referral phone service which links people in crisis with resources throughout the community. Each caller is matched with direct assistance to any of 1,588 social service agencies in a 15-county area, providing everything from food and shelter, rental assistance, counseling and medical care.  Call 2-1-1 or go online.

Community Partners
United Way brings together neighborhoods, faith-based groups, agencies, business, labor, government, schools and volunteers.