VITA: Free Income Tax Preparation Service


If you earned $58,000 or less in 2019, visit one of our two locations in Central Iowa to receive free preparation of your income tax return. 

Locations are open now until April 15. Times are subject to change. Please call 211 for the most current information. 

Click Here to Learn More

 Community Gardens Mini-Grant Application


Community gardens play a critical role in supporting high-poverty  neighborhoods. If you are a nonprofit organization and have a community garden or want to start one, apply for a mini-grant! 

The completed application form is due February 17 at 5 p.m.Apply for a Mini-Grant

TOTES for Teachers

Help us replenish the classrooms − and support our teachers − in the Des Moines Public School district by collecting school supplies and donating a tote for elementary school, middle school or high school classrooms. 

Please consider hosting a supply drive from now until February 18 at your place of business. 
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What We Do

What We Do

You know United Way... but do you know what we do?
About Us

About Us

Our mission, our board, our team, finances & documentation, and more.
Get Involved

GET INVOLVED

You can join the fight and make our community better for all central Iowans.

United Way of Central Iowa leads the fight for the health, education, and financial stability of all central Iowans.

We do this by bringing together central Iowa businesses, donors, volunteers, nonprofits, community leaders, subject matter experts, and those in need. United we lock arms to form sustainable solutions and tackle our community's toughest challenges. Together we LIVE UNITED.
 

COMMUNITY ISSUES

United Way of Central Iowa focuses on issues in our community in the areas of Education, Income, and Health—the building blocks for a quality life. Below are six focus areas that encompass much of our work. Click below to find specific information about that issue here in central Iowa—and how United Way is leading the fight.

I want kids to have quality care and learning from the start.

I want youth to have support through middle school and high school to graduate.

Thriving Workforce

I want to remove barriers so more families can be financially stable. 

I want our community to encourage all families to make healthy choices.

I want all central Iowans to have food and a safe home they can afford. 

I want youth to have support through middle school and high school to graduate.

2019 COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT

2019 ci report hero imageEach year United Way leads the fight for the health, education, and financial stability of all central Iowans by working toward the Community Goals for 2020.  

The Community Impact Report, is published each year at the annual LIVE UNITED luncheon, provides updates on progress made toward the community goals for 2020, as well as highlighting the key focus areas in each category of EDUCATION, INCOME, and HEALTH. Specific initiatives and the results they have produced are also included.

View the Report Online

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United Way of Central Iowa
(515) 246-6500
contactus@unitedwaydm.org
1111 9th Street, Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50314

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Charity Navigator four star rated charity badgeUnited Way of Central Iowa is proud to have earned a four-star rating for 15 straight years from Charity Navigator, an American independent charity watchdog organization that evaluates charitable organizations in the United States. This record places United Way of Central Iowa in the top 1 percent of charities nationwide. Click the logo to review our complete evaluation.

 

 


GuideStar - Platinum Seal of TransparencyUnited Way of Central Iowa has received a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, the world's largest source of information on nonprofit organizations. The seal is given to nonprofits who have achieved the highest level of transparency through disclosures, information made available to the public, and accuracy and frequency of updates.

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