Funded Programs | United Way of Central Iowa

As United Way of Central Iowa forms and executes strategies to benefit central Iowans, we work closely with hundreds of nonprofit organizations, agencies and other programs to align and coordinate our work.

This approach allows the greatest potential impact on some of the most difficult issues facing our community, and ensures everyone involved is aware of those around them who are working toward the same goal. The following programs receive funding, strategic collaboration and other assistance from United Way of Central Iowa. The annual investment process involves a rigorous application, goal-setting and results review led by a panel of qualified expert volunteers and supported by United Way Staff.

Al Exito:
Al Exito - Des Moines
Al Exito - Perry High School
Al Exito - Movimiento

Art Force Iowa:
Creative Pathways
DSM Heroes

Bidwell Riverside Child Care Center:
Quality Early Learning Center

Big Brothers Big Sisters:
Community Based Mentoring

Boy Scouts of America:
After School Scouting

Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa:
Hiatt Programming
McCombs Extension Club
Youth Development Programs

By Degrees Foundation:
Dreamer Academy at Findley

Camp Fire Heart of Iowa:
Community Center Programs

Capitol Park Early Learning Center:
Quality Early Learning Center

Child Abuse Prevention Council:
Wee Care Respite Nursery

Children & Families of Iowa:
Backyard Boyz
Whyld Girls
Teddy Bear Town

Children & Family Urban Movement:
Literacy for Life

City of West Des Moines:
Youth Justice Initiative

Dental Connections:
Smile Squad

Des Moines Public Schools:
Community Liaison
Community Schools & Family Support Svcs.
Early Leadership Initiative
Flexible Graduation Pathways
Licensed Social Worker
RunDSM

Everybody Wins! Iowa:
Power Read/Power Lunch

EveryStep:
Child Care Nurse Consultant
Community Literacy Specialist
Community Literacy Support (Play & Learn)
Developmental Screening/First Five
Nurse Family Partnership

Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa:
Girl Scout Leadership Experience

Grand View Child Development Center:
Quality Early Learning Center

Greater Altoona Community Service Campus:
Kids Klub

Hispanic Educational Resources, Inc.:
Conmigo Quality Early Learning Center &
Support

Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children:
Early Childhood Quality Initiative
TEACH
WAGE$

Iowa Jobs for America's Graduates:
iJAG

Isiserettes Drill & Drum Corps:
Drill and Drum Corps

ISU Foundation:
Science Bound

ISU Extension:
Dallas & Warren County Reach for the Stars

Johnston Partnership for a Healthy Community:
Johnston Youth Mentoring Program (JUMP)

Lutheran Services in Iowa:
Parenting Initiative
Refugee Childcare Providers

Man Up Iowa:
Man Up Mentoring Program

Oakridge Neighborhood Services:
Be REAL Academy
Oak Academy Quality Early Learning Center &
Support
Project OASIS
SWAGG at Callanan

Orchard Place:
PACE
Reach for the Stars (Polk County)

Perry Child Development Center:
Quality Early Learning Scholarships

Pursuit of Innovation:
Pi515

State Public Policy Group:
Enrichment Coaches

United Way of Cental Iowa:
Book Buddy Volunteer Reading Program
Out of School Initiative/Summer in the City
Play & Learn
Quality Childcare Center Support & Scholarships
READ to SUCCEED
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Willkie House:
After School and Summer Programming

Wonder Years Child Development Center:
Quality Early Learning Center

YMCA of Greater Des Moines:
Before & After School Program at Waukee &
Findley
Y-Readers Program / Starfish Academy

Young Women's Resource Center:
Young Mom's Program

Youth Law Center:
Multi-Disciplinary Legal Representation

211:
24/7 Phone Support for Human Services

Catholic Charities:
Refugee Cooperative Program

Central Iowa Shelter and Services:
Job Training Program

DMACC:
Basic Adult Literacy Program
Bridges to Success

The Director's Council:
One Economy Financial Revival

EMBARC Iowa:
Work Ready Navigators Program

Evelyn K Davis Center for Working Families:
Job Navigators

Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa:
Work Experience Program

Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity:
Financial Foundations
Self-Help Homeownership Program

Hawthorn Hill:
Home Connection Education/Employment
Specialist

Iowa Community Capital:
Solidarity Microfinance

Iowa Homeless Youth Centers:
Education & Employment Program
Housing Program
Post-Secondary Retention Program

Lutheran Services in Iowa:
Preparing Refugee ELL for Work and Career
Refugee IDA Partnership Program

New Opportunities:
Financial Education

Oakridge Neighborhood Services:
Adult & Family Services
Hope for Stable Families

OpportUNITY:
Community Effort to Reduce Poverty

Project Iowa:
Project Iowa Programming
Impacting the Work of Women

United Way of Cental Iowa:
Bridges to Success
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Youth Policy Institute of Iowa:
Opportunity Passport

Essential Needs
Funded Programs

211:
24/7 Phone Support for Human Services

Catholic Charities:
St. Joseph's Emergency Family Shelter

Central Iowa Shelter and Services:
Community Kitchen
Shelter Program

Children & Families of Iowa:
Domestic Violence

Des Moines Area Religious Council:
Food Pantry
Food Pantry Network Database

Hawthorn Hill:
New Directions Shelter

The Helping Hand:
Food Pantry

HOME, Inc:
Community Housing Services
HOPE for Stable Families

Iowa Legal Aid:
Civil Legal Assistance

Primary Health Care:
Centralized Intake
Outreach & Case Management

WesleyLife:
Meals on Wheels

YMCA of Greater Des Moines:
Supportive Housing Program

Catholic Charities:
Counseling Program

Eat Greater Des Moines:
Food Systems Coordinator

ChildServe:
Outpatient Therapy

Community Youth Concepts:
Teen Outreach Program

Courage League Sports:
Courage League Wellness Program

Dallas County Health Department:
Health Navigation

Dental Connections:
Smile Squad

Des Moines Area Religious Council:
Food Pantry 2.0

Eat Greater Des Moines:
Food Systems Coordinator

EMBARC Iowa:
Health Navigation Project

EveryStep:
5210 Program Coordinators
Community Nursing

Hunger Free Dallas County:
Fresh Food Focus

Link Associates:
Leisure Services

Lutheran Services in Iowa:
Global Greens
Refugee Elder Services

NAMI of Greater Des Moines
Education & Outreach

One Iowa:
Reducing Social Isolation for LGBTQ Iowans

Orchard Place:
Direct Clinical Services
School Based Mental Health

Please Pass the Love:
School-Based Mental Health Outreach

Prelude Behavioral Services:
Bernie Lorenz Recovery Center

U.S. Committee for Refugees & Immigrants:
Community Engagement & Connectivity Initiative

Urban Dreams:
Community Engagement & Connectivity Initiative

WesleyLife:
Wesley Home Care Aide

Young Women's Resource Center:
Empowerment Services

Youth Emergency Services & Shelter:
Emergency Services for Youth

Youth and Shelter Services:
Teens Against Human Trafficking