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United is the Way
United Way of Central Iowa mobilizes our community to action so all can thrive.
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United for Action
Empower lives. Strengthen our community. Your time makes a lasting impact!
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360K360K
Individuals Served
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185185
Programs Funded
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112112
Nonprofit Partners
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107K107KK-12 Students in Region
Who we are
Fostering an Equitable, Engaged, empowered Community
United Way of Central Iowa is committed to addressing the challenges our community faces. We are nimble and responsive in the way we work within the community to focus on not only meeting basic needs – but on growing, prospering, and thriving.
Engaging our community to address critical issues
United Way of Central Iowa holds a unique role in our community as a convener and mobilizer, engaging every voice in our community to empower all. Central Iowa looks to United Way to bring everyone together, find alignment to address issues, identify strategies, and execute collectively on those strategies.
Critical Community Issues
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10%
10%of Central Iowans are food insecure.
In central Iowa, 10% of the population is food insecure, including 15% of children under age 18 - that’s nearly 23,000 children.
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7%
7%of central Iowa youth ages 16-19 are disengaged from school or work.
Experts agree that youth disengagement (not being enrolled in school or being under-employed) can be a determining factor in contributing to youth violence.
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75%
75%of central Iowa children under the age of 6 have both parents or caregivers in the workforce.
Iowa ranks #1 in the nation for the percentage of households in which all parents or caregivers of young children are in the workforce. Access to safe, affordable childcare and other workforce supports are critical to a thriving, robust economy.
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57%
57%of youth in Iowa do not receive the mental health services they need.
Our state falls short of the number of mental healthcare providers needed to meet this challenge. In Iowa, there are 570 individuals for every 1 mental health provider.
THE 5 ELEMENTS OF A THRIVING COMMUNITY
The 5 Elements of a Thriving Community are interconnected areas of focus United Way of Central Iowa uses to create strategies and set goals to improve the lives of every person in our community.
- Essential Needs
- Early Childhood Success
- Education Success
- Economic Opportunity
- Health & Well-Being
We are UNITED to THRIVE
United Way of Central Iowa's strategic focus outlines the way our organization establishes standards, sets goals, and measure progress in the community. UNITED to THRIVE guides our strategic approach as we unite central Iowans to foster a thriving community – one that is equitable, engaged, and empowered.
Integrity & Stability
Responsible and Trustworthy Since 1917
United Way of Central Iowa has earned a four-out-of-four-star rating each year since 2004 from Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest independent evaluator of charities and nonprofit organizations. Charity Navigator’s four-star rating recognizes United Way’s sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. Less than 1% of the thousands of charities evaluated that have achieved four-stars for ten years in a row or more.
United 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.
News & Insights
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United Way of Central Iowa Introduces the 2025 Advocacy Agenda: A Vision for a Thriving Community
advocacy
United Way of Central Iowa recently unveiled its 2025 Advocacy Agenda at the annual Advocacy Breakfast, an event that brought together policymakers,...Read More -
The legacy of Harriet S. and J. Locke Macomber is woven into the fabric of Des Moines, Iowa, through their steadfast commitment to philanthropy,...Read More
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From Introduction to Impact: The Evolving Journey of United Way Donors
ELI
Affinity for an organization grows over time, and the donor journey is ever-evolving. That’s the case with some of United Way of Central Iowa’s most...Read More
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