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.
This is the compass by which we conduct all of our work, and the goal we strive to achieve.
United Way envisions a community where all individuals and families have the opportunity to thrive through the five elements of a thriving community.
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.
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.
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.
1111 9th Street, Suite #100, Des Moines IA 50314
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:
United Way of Central Iowa Board Chair
President
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.
Community Chest is adopted as the new name.
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.
Every local campaign during the Great Depression exceeded its goal. Des Moines
ranks #4 nationally of 405 community chests.
1,100 women canvass residential districts to augment the 34 teams of 900 workers that seek support for community needs.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Six community priorities are identified: family disorganization; unemployment and underemployment; dignity of the individual; education; health services; and adequate recreation.
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.
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.
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.
The United Way of Iowa Association (now United Ways of Iowa) is formed by representatives of local United Ways across the state.
United Way of Greater Des Moines Foundation is established. Plans for an outreach center, later called the Ankeny Service Center, are developed.
United Way of Central Iowa is adopted as the organization’s eighth name.
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.
Maddie Glazer (Levitt) becomes United Way of Central Iowa’s first female campaign chair.
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.
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.
United Way of Central Iowa’s annual campaign surpasses $10 Million for the first time in the organization’s history.
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.
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.
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.
United Way of Central Iowa’s annual campaign surpasses $25 Million for the first time in the organization’s history.
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.
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.
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.
The Community Goals for 2020 culminate. 211 Iowa is called upon to act as statewide hotline for COVID-19 pandemic information.
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.
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.
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United Way of Central Iowa is proud to have earned a four-star rating for 18 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.
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. Click the logo to learn more.