Des Moines Welfare Bureau
Des Moines Public Welfare Bureau was created to assess the financial needs of city’s social agencies. First campaign raised $92,003 benefitting 24 local charities under the leadership of J.K. Elwell, President.
Since 1917, United Way of Central Iowa has united individuals, businesses, nonprofits, elected officials, and more to foster a thriving community through strategic focus on the 5 Elements of a Thriving Community:
This strategic imperative is called UNITED to THRIVE, and it represents the principles and strategies under which we organize our work and measure our impact. This unique model was developed thanks to a year-long effort in 2020 to gather input and feedback from across our community.
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Mission:
Improve Lives By Uniting The Caring Power of CommunityThis is the compass by which we conduct all of our work, and the goal we strive to achieve.
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Vision:
Engage Community to Empower AllUnited Way envisions a community where all individuals and families have the opportunity to thrive through the five elements of a thriving community.
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Core Values:
CompassionIntegrityCommunity EngagementResponsivenessStriving for Excellence
Focus on Integrity & Stability
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 percent of the thousands of charities evaluated that have achieved four-stars for ten years in a row or more.
To see the complete report by Charity Navigator, please visit the Charity Navigator Page:
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1917
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1930
Community Chest
Community Chest is adopted as the new name.
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1933
Community Chest of Des Moines
Community Chest of Des Moines is adopted as the new name. From the secretary’s report at the annual meeting, “Today about 25,000 of our people in Des Moines are receiving relief from organized relief agencies. This is approximately one person out of every six of our population.” Gardner Cowles, Jr. is campaign chair.
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1934
Making a Difference in the Depression
Every local campaign during the Great Depression exceeded its goal. Des Moines
ranks #4 nationally of 405 community chests. -
1943
War Efforts at Home
1,100 women canvass residential districts to augment the 34 teams of 900 workers that seek support for community needs.
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1952
“Give the United Way.”
First United campaign of Greater Des Moines was coordinated to address multiple fund-raising drives. Slogan was to “Give the United Way.” Cornerstone participants included Community Chest, Polio Fund of Des Moines, American Red Cross, USO and others.
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1954
Community Chest of Des Moines, Inc. – United Fund
Community Chest of Des Moines, Inc. – United Fund becomes organization’s name.
Mrs. E.T. Meredith joins the board of directors, and a year later, the concept of
payroll deduction is introduced. -
1956
Community Chest and Council of Greater Des Moines
Community Chest and Council of Greater Des Moines is adopted as the organization’s name. Children’s issues – particularly day care – emerge as an important focus. The board of trustees establishes a “reserve fund” to accommodate shortages and unanticipated needs of agencies.
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1957
United Community Services
United Community Services becomes the organization’s fifth official name. A
national movement grows to coordinate campaign giving “the united way,” and
loaned executives are used for the first time. By 1959, a key focus area for the
organization is helping families that are displaced by the construction of the new
MacVicar Freeway (now I-235). -
1960
Expanding
United Community Services broadens to all of Polk County. Ann Landers appears as
the special guest of the women’s division campaign kick-off rally to offset the decline
in women’s participation in the residential, home-to-home solicitation—the result of
more women in the workforce. -
1965
Focus on Poverty
Organization launches a “war against poverty.” A feature story in the December issue of Ladies Home Journal (a Meredith publication) about the Iowa Children’s Home Society results in thousands of contributions from people around the country. The board of directors increase support to the USO for expanded operations in Vietnam.
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1967
Give the United Way
The words “United Way” appear officially for the first time in a campaign slogan that read: “One Gift Works Many Wonders – Give the United Way.” A communitywide audit of local social services occurs to ensure all needs are being addressed and identify new areas of funding. An information and referral center is established as the forerunner to 211.
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1968
Setting Priorities
Six community priorities are identified: family disorganization; unemployment and underemployment; dignity of the individual; education; health services; and adequate recreation.
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1969
Greater Des Moines United Way
The organization changes its name to Greater Des Moines United Way. With the help of Farm Bureau Insurance, the organization’s campaign records are computerized for the first time.
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1972
United Way of Greater Des Moines
Again, the name changes to United Way of Greater Des Moines. The United Way “hand” logo, designed for United Way of America by artist Saul Bass, is integrated in logos and materials used by local United Ways.
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1975
Resetting Priorities
Five community priorities are identified and used when determining allocation of funds. They are: individual and family counseling services; in-home physical healthcare; outpatient physical healthcare; mental outpatient healthcare; and homemaker and handy person services. Additionally, volunteer services gain traction through the Volunteer Bureau and Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
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1979
United Way of Iowa Association
The United Way of Iowa Association (now United Ways of Iowa) is formed by representatives of local United Ways across the state.
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1981
United Way of Greater Des Moines Foundation
United Way of Greater Des Moines Foundation is established. Plans for an outreach center, later called the Ankeny Service Center, are developed.
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1982
United Way of Central Iowa
United Way of Central Iowa is adopted as the organization’s eighth name.
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1984
Tocqueville Society
United Way of Central Iowa is one of five communities who collaborate to form the Alexis de Tocqueville Society. Plans are unveiled for a new human services campus facility on 9th Street, Des Moines.
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1986
First Female Campaign Chair
Maddie Glazer (Levitt) becomes United Way of Central Iowa’s first female campaign chair.
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1987
Iowa’s Outstanding Alexis de Tocqueville Recipient
Long-time United Way of Central Iowa volunteer and staff member, Maddie Glazer (Levitt), is honored at ceremonies at Washington’s Lincoln Center and the French Embassy as Iowa’s outstanding Alexis de Tocqueville recipient.
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1989
First Million-Dollar Partner
Principal Financial Group becomes the first Iowa-based company to raise more than $1 million in a single fundraising campaign. Additionally, United Way of Central Iowa’s public policy committee secures $1 million in state and federal funds to support housing and other basic needs for families. This is the start of United Way’s efforts to strengthen relationships with government officials/leaders.
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1991
$10 Million Milestone
United Way of Central Iowa’s annual campaign surpasses $10 Million for the first time in the organization’s history.
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1993
Foundations and Floods
United Way of Central Iowa Foundation moves its funds to the newly established Community Foundation – an offshoot of Des Moines Chamber of Commerce. The organization places a mortgage on its Human Services Campus to access emergency funds to assist the community after the 1993 floods.
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2002
Women United
United Way of Central Iowa launches Women’s Leadership Initiative (now Women United) to improve the lives of children and their school readiness. Forty-six women donated $2,500 each for a total of $331,242. United Way of America recognizes this program as the best new women’s program in the nation.
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2004
Education Leadership Initiative
United Way of Central Iowa launches Emerging Leaders Initiative (now Education Leadership Initiative) to support school success during the middle-school years. One hundred donors’ giving totaled $133,000.
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2007
$25 Million Milestone
United Way of Central Iowa’s annual campaign surpasses $25 Million for the first time in the organization’s history.
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2009
New Community Goals
United Way of Central Iowa sets Community Goals for 2020 in education, income, and health. This is the public launch of United Way’s community impact model.
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2016
Centennial Year
United Way of Central Iowa celebrates it 100th year. 211 Iowa and Central Iowa Works become part of the organization. OpportUNITY plan to reduce poverty and READ to SUCCEED plan to increase child literacy are launched. LINC affinity group is formed for young professionals.
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2017
CIRCA
United Way of Central Iowa receives the America’s Promise Grant to funding Central Iowans Returning Can Achieve (CIRCA) program assisting citizens returning from incarceration. This represents the organization’s first Federal grant.
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2020
Pandemic Response
The Community Goals for 2020 culminate. 211 Iowa is called upon to act as statewide hotline for COVID-19 pandemic information.
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2021
UNITED to THRIVE
United Way of Central Iowa launches UNITED to THRIVE strategic imperative, evolving strategic focus to 5 elements of a thriving community: Essential Needs; Early Childhood Success; Education Success; Economic Opportunity; and Health & Well-Being. An overt focus on Equity is central to the model. United LEAGUE affinity group is formed for donor who identify as Black and allies.