UNITED to THRIVE

Fostering an Equitable, Engaged, Empowered Community


LIVE UNITED

State of Nonprofits

Find out more about Iowa organizations in the 2024 Central Iowa Nonprofit Sector Survey.

Read the Report

2024 Community Report

View the annual Community Report, highlighting critical issues in our community. 

2024 Community Report

Advocacy

Learn about United Way of Central Iowa's advocacy priorities and how we advocate for all central Iowans

ADVOCATE

What we do

WHAT WE DO

You know United Way... but do you understand what we do?

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GET INVOLVED

Central Iowans are United to Thrive, and to make our community better for all.

ABOUT US

ABOUT US

We improve lives by uniting the caring power of community.

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.

Learn More about UNITED to THRIVE

THE FIVE ELEMENTS OF A THRIVING COMMUNITY

United Way of Central Iowa focuses on issues in our community that fall within the Five Elements of a thriving community as listed below. Click the icon to find specific information about that issue here in central Iowa—and how United Way uniting central Iowans to thrive.

UNITED to THRIVE

Essential
Needs
Essential Needs

Early Childhood
Success
EARLY CHILDHOOD SUCCESS

Education
Success
Education

Economic
OpportunityECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

Health &
Well-BeingHealth & Well-Being

 

RECENT BLOG POSTS

Delivering Joy, Celebrating Community

Thanks to our strong and ongoing partnership with the South Central Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO (SCIFL), we recently had the joy of delivering union-made toys and birthday cards to five United...

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The Strength of Street Knowledge

Meet the Project Manager of the Safe & Thriving Youth Initiative

In the heart of Des Moines, a new voice has emerged to help guide United Way of Central Iowa’s Safe and Thriving Youth coalition....

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United Way of Central Iowa Welcomes New Board Members to Advance Mission and Community Impact

The United Way of Central Iowa Board of Directors is pleased to announce their new Board Chair, Monica Friedman, and the addition of seven new members, who began their two-year terms on July 1, 2025....

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United Way of Central Iowa Blog   Stories of Success