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 funded 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.

Essential Needs@36 Essential Needs Funded Programs

Early Childhood Success@36 Early Childhood Success Funded Programs

Education Success@36 Education Success Funded Programs

Economic Opportunity@36 Economic Opportunity Funded Programs

Health & Well-Being@36 Health & Well-Being Funded Programs

Funded Partners

Organization Cabinet(s)
211 Essential Needs
African Immigrants and Refugees Transition Services Early Childhood Success@36
Africans In Iowa for Empowerment Economic Opportunity@36
AMOS Health & Well-Being
Ankeny Community Network Essential Needs
Art Force Iowa Education Success@36Health & Well-Being
Association of Youth Development and Enrichment (AYDE) Education Success@36
B.Well Foundation Health & Well-Being
Big Brothers Big Sisters Education Success@36
Black Women 4 Healthy Living Health & Well-Being
Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa Education Success@36
By Degrees Foundation Education Success@36
Camp Fire Heart of Iowa Early Childhood Success@36Education Success@36
Can Play Health & Well-Being
Capitol Park Early Learning Center Early Childhood Success@36
Carlisle Community Schools Education Success@36
Catholic Charities Essential NeedsEconomic Opportunity@36Health & Well-Being
Children & Families of Iowa Essential NeedsEarly Childhood Success@36Education Success@36Economic Opportunity@36Health & Well-Being
Children & Family Urban Movement: Education Success@36
ChildServe Health & Well-Being
Community Youth Concepts Health & Well-Being
Corinthian Baptist Community Development Corporation Health & Well-Being
Courageous Access Health & Well-Being
Creative Visions Inc. Essential Needs
Dallas County Health Department Health & Well-Being
Dental Connections: Early Childhood Success@36Health & Well-Being
Des Moines Area Religious Council Essential Needs
Des Moines Independent Community School District Early Childhood Success@36Economic Opportunity@36Education Success@36
Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Economic Opportunity@36
The Director's Council Economic Opportunity@36
Dorothy's House Health & Well-Being
Ellipsis Health & Well-Being
EMBARC Early Childhood Success@36Health & Well-Being
Everybody Wins! Iowa Education Success@36
EveryStep Early Childhood Success@36Health & Well-Being
Families Forward Essential NeedsEarly Childhood Success@36Economic Opportunity@36
Focuss Inc. Education Success@36
Forest Avenue Outreach Education Success@36Economic Opportunity@36Health & Well-Being
Genesis Youth Foundation Education Success@36Economic Opportunity@36
Gigi's Playhouse Education Success@36
Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa Education Success@36
Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa Economic Opportunity@36
Grace Fitness Health & Well-Being
Grand View Child Development Center, Inc Early Childhood Success@36
Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity Economic Opportunity@36
Healthy Birth Day, Inc Early Childhood Success@36
Heart of Transit Health & Well-Being
The Helping Hand of Warren County Essential Needs
Hispanic Educational Resources Early Childhood Success@36
HOME, Inc Essential Needs
Hunger Free Dallas County Essential Needs
International Rescue Committee Essential Needs
Investing In My Future, Inc. Education Success@36
Iowa ACEs 360 Early Childhood Success@36Health & Well-Being
Iowa AEYC Early Childhood Success@36
Iowa Center for Children's Justice Education Success@36Health & Well-Being
Iowa Center for Economic Success Economic Opportunity@36
Iowa Community Capital Economic Opportunity@36
Iowa Congolese Organization and Center for Healing (ICOACH) Early Childhood Success@36Education Success@36Economic Opportunity@36
Iowa Healthiest State Initiative Essential Needs
Iowa Homeless Youth Centers Essential NeedsEconomic Opportunity@36
Iowa Jobs for America's Graduates Education Success@36
Iowa Legal Aid Essential NeedsEconomic Opportunity@36
Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice Essential Needs
Iowa Safe Schools Health & Well-Being
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach-Dallas County Early Childhood Success@36
Isiserettes Drill & Drum Corp Education Success@36
ISU Foundation - Science Bound Education Success@36
Jewels Academy Education Success@36
Johnston Partnership for a Healthy Community Education Success@36
Knock and Drop Iowa Essential Needs
LadyLike c/o Back 2 School Iowa Economic Opportunity@36
Latinas Latinos Al Exito Inc. Education Success@36
Latinas Unidas por un Nuevo Amanecer (L.U.N.A.) Health & Well-Being
Latinx Immigrants of Iowa Economic Opportunity@36
Link Associates Health & Well-Being
Lutheran Services in Iowa Essential NeedsEarly Childhood Success@36Economic Opportunity@36Health & Well-Being
Man Up Iowa Education Success@36
Mary's Helping Hands Early Childhood Success@36
MindSpring Health & Well-Being
Monsoon Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity Health & Well-Being
New Opportunities Economic Opportunity@36
Oakridge Neighborhood Services Early Childhood Success@36Education Success@36Economic Opportunity@36
One Economy Financial Development Corp Economic Opportunity@36
One Iowa Health & Well-Being
Orchard Place Early Childhood Success@36Health & Well-Being
Perry Child Development Center Early Childhood Success@36
Perry Paces Education Success@36
Primary Health Care Essential Needs
Project Iowa Education Success@36Economic Opportunity@36
Proteus, Inc. Health & Well-Being
Pursuit of Innovation Education Success@36Economic Opportunity@36
Refugee & Immigrant Voices in Action (RIVA) Economic Opportunity@36
Sarge's WestSide Boxing Club Education Success@36
Shalom Community Impact Center Early Childhood Success@36Economic Opportunity@36
Short Years Partnership Early Childhood Success@36
St. Vincent de Paul Economic Opportunity@36
Starts Right Here Education Success@36
The Supply Hive Essential Needs
U.S. Committee for Refugees & Immigrants Health & Well-Being
United Upper Nile South Sudanese Community Association in Iowa Essential Needs
United Way of Central Iowa Essential NeedsEarly Childhood Success@36Education Success@36Economic Opportunity@36Health & Well-Being
Urban Dreams Essential NeedsEconomic Opportunity@36Health & Well-Being
Waukee Area Christian Services Essential Needs
WeLift Education Success@36Economic Opportunity@36
WesleyLife Essential NeedsHealth & Well-Being
West Des Moines School District Education Success@36
Willkie House Education Success@36
Wonder Years Academy Early Childhood Success@36
YMCA of Greater Des Moines Essential NeedsEducation Success@36
Young Women's Resource Center Early Childhood Success@36
Youth Justice Initiative Education Success@36Health & Well-Being
Youth Law Center Education Success@36