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:United-to-Thrive-Puzzle-outlined

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 Community

This 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 All

United 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:

Compassion
Integrity
Community Engagement
Responsiveness
Striving for Excellence

Focus on Equity

At the center of the UNITED to THRIVE model is Equity, because the only way our community can thrive is if every central Iowa has the same opportunity to thrive. Equity is inherent in our work, as significant disparities exist in our community and our society. By overtly focusing on Equity issues across all five elements of a thriving community, we ensure that our work is designed to ensure equitable access in every area of our work.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

United Way of Central Iowa strives to be a model of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work. We seek to represent and advocate for the many people who proudly make up our community and we value and promote inclusiveness in all aspects of our work. The organization employs and promotes individuals, recruits volunteers, and partners with programs that inclusively support the diversity of our local community.

In all levels of staff and governance, United Way of Central Iowa is dedicated to greater diversity within the organization and to providing equal opportunity to people, without regard to race, religion, skin color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental abilities, genetic information, pregnancy, disability, age, family or marital status, veteran status and socio-economic status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

We believe that each United Way of Central Iowa community member, donor, volunteer, advocate, and employee must have equal access to addressing community issues. We recognize that we have the role, responsibility, and opportunity to partner across organizations throughout the community to close equity gaps.

Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of what it means to LIVE UNITED.


 

Focus on Central Iowa

United Way of Central Iowa focuses on three counties in Iowa: Polk, Dallas, and Warren. Our funding, strategies, collaborations, and partnerships are almost exclusively based within that territory.

We are an independent 501(c)3 organization based in Des Moines, Iowa, and regulated by our local Board of Directors. As a member of the United Way network, our organization is one of more than 1,000 local United Ways across the United States. 

United Way of Central Iowa is located North of downtown Des Moines on 9th street in the United Way Human Services Campus. This United Way-owned office complex, in addition to being our home, provides offices to several human services nonprofit agencies, as well as a conference center for events.

home.png  1111 9th Street, Suite #100, Des Moines IA 50314

Contact Us


 

Focus on Integrity & Stability

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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:

See Charity Navigator Report

 


 


Maria_Volante_Circle2023

Maria Volante

United Way of Central Iowa Board Chair

“ Our volunteer leaders all share a strong desire to make a difference in the lives of Central Iowans in the areas of education, income and health.  It truly is a privilege to be involved with United Way and to serve people in our community."

Meet our Board of Directors & Cabinets


Mary Sellers Circle 1

Mary Sellers

President

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"We are proud to serve central Iowa, and strive every day to make it a better community for all. Our team of dedicated professionals bring expertise from many areas." 

Meet The Team  Join The Team

Our History

Improving Lives Since 1917

  • 1917

    Ad from 1920:
    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.

  • 1930

    community chest
    Community Chest

    Community Chest is adopted as the new name.

  • 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.

  • 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

    1940s ad:
    War Efforts at Home

    1,100 women canvass residential districts to augment the 34 teams of 900 workers that seek support for community needs.

  • 1952

    Ad from 1952 - Give the United Way
    “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.

  • 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.

  • 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

    1961 ad: Give the United Way
    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.

  • 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.

  • 1968

    Setting Priorities

    Six community priorities are identified: family disorganization; unemployment and underemployment; dignity of the individual;  education; health services; and adequate recreation.

  • 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.

  • 1972

    1972 United Way Logo
    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 1981

    1980s poster
    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.

  • 1982

    United Way of Central Iowa

    United Way of Central Iowa is adopted as the organization’s eighth name.

  • 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.

  • 1986

    First Female Campaign Chair

    Maddie Glazer (Levitt) becomes United Way of Central Iowa’s first female campaign chair.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 1991

    $10 Million Milestone

    United Way of Central Iowa’s annual campaign surpasses $10 Million for the first time in the organization’s history.

  • 1993

    1990s
    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.

  • 2002

    wlc - ludsm
    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.

  • 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.

  • 2007

    $25 Million Milestone

    United Way of Central Iowa’s annual campaign surpasses $25 Million for the first time in the organization’s history.

  • 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.

  • 2016

    Brian-Gallagher-LIVE-UNITED
    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.

  • 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.

  • 2020

    Pandemic Response

    The Community Goals for 2020 culminate. 211 Iowa is called upon to act as statewide hotline for COVID-19 pandemic information.

  • 2021

    United-to-Thrive-Puzzle-outlined
    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.

  • 2022

    HealthWorks CMYK stacked
    Central Iowa Healthworks

    United Way of Central Iowa receives Federal Good Jobs Grant funding the Central Iowa Healthworks program, assisting individuals with training to enter the healthcare field.