UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL IOWA BLOG

United Way of Central Iowa announced yesterday that Elisabeth Buck, the organization’s President since 2017, will retire in July 2021. Buck joined the organization in 2011 as Chief Community Impact Officer, where she oversaw United Way’s mission-focused work. She was promoted to President in 2017.

In 2020, 211 usage in Iowa jumped a staggering 81% compared to the previous year. On National 211 Day, 211 Iowa recognizes its record-breaking year and its commitment to continue to serve the state. 

United Way of Central Iowa unveiled its new strategic focus today: UNITED to THRIVE. As the principle now guiding the organization’s strategic decisions, United Way of Central Iowa aims to unite central Iowans to foster a thriving community – one that is equitable, engaged, and empowered.

United Way of Central Iowa was named the #1 Most Influential Nonprofit in Greater Des Moines by the Des Moines Business Record’s "Book of Lists."

United Way of Central Iowa released its Legislative Agenda for the 2021 session of the Iowa General Assembly at a virtual event held yesterday for elected officials and members of the community.

United Way of Central Iowa Now Offers “TextSupport: Central Iowa Schools” Initiative to Provide Free School District Updates and Community Resources.

In this guest blog post, Michelle Mahoney, CFP^® and co-founder of Generations Wealth Management, offers options to have control, strengthen your financial position, and help others this year.

United Way of Central Iowa’s Day of Action is the day of the year when we pull together as a community to harness our collective strength as volunteers. In a normal year, we would be volunteering in person. We would read to students, build houses, clean-up playgrounds, paint a mural, or a myriad of other activities.

Gerry Neugent, co-chairman of the board and former CEO of Knapp Properties, was selected as this year’s winner of the prestigious Tocqueville Society Award from United Way of Central Iowa. This award is the organization’s highest honor, given annually by past awardees to an individual or household who exemplifies inspirational, sustained leadership and service to the central Iowa community.

United Way of Central Iowa recently invested $518,724 in 44 of its nonprofit partners across Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties in response to their emerging needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. This investment is the first distribution from $1.1 million planned for COVID-19 relief this year and is included within the total investment of $21.5 million that United Way of Central Iowa is distributing into the community this fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.