Updated October, 29, 2018
This holiday season, as wrapping paper is ripped off gifts, many kids will find hidden gems among their toys: books that will take them on adventures and turn them into lifelong readers and learners. But not all kids will...
A community-wide effort to improve central Iowa students’ reading skills has recruited 500 reading mentors and launched several strategies that are showing success. United Way of Central Iowa announced the results of its READ to SUCCEED campaign at...
United Way of Central Iowa announced a new name for the Women’s Leadership Connection (WLC) at its 2018 Premier Event on August 30, 2018. The new name—Women United—honors a diverse and vibrant group of women leaders who are making an impact locally...
One in three central Iowans doesn't earn enough to cover basic expenses without support. Many struggle to find enough food to eat or a place to sleep at night, while others manage by piecing together jobs and support. Yet, they are one flat tire or...
The percentage of central Iowa students graduating high school within five years increased to an all-time high of 93.6 in 2016, from 92.8 percent in the prior year, according to data released by the Iowa Department of Education on April 11. The...
After a long and hopefully fulfilling weekend focused on food, family, and finding the best shopping deals, today is an opportunity to focus on another side of the holiday season.
#GivingTuesday is an international day of online giving established...
For many students, for many reasons, college may not be an option. Yet, many alternative paths exist that can lead to well-paying jobs and long-term financial stability. As stakeholders at businesses, schools, nonprofits, and the community, we have...
As Book Buddy volunteers met their preschool reading partners over the past few weeks—the kids they will be working with throughout the school year—they were greeted with smiles and hugs.
They were also met with some gratifying new data that makes...
Nearly 2,000 students and families were reached in one Saturday morning during the 2017 Graduation Walk!
Graduation Walk took place on August 26 with 500 volunteers and Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) staff members visiting the homes of students at...
On June 20, the longest day of the year, more than 1,000 volunteers came together at sites across the city to build literacy kits for central Iowa's kids.
This is the second year that United Way of Central Iowa has hosted Literacy Solstice from...
United Way of Central Iowa is proud to have earned a four-star rating for 13 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.