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Use our guide to volunteer or organize giving opportunities with your family, friends, co-workers, or church or social group this holiday season. Explore opportunities in many categories, including adopting a family or child, donating canned food, donating toys or books, and much more.
United Way of Central Iowa is collecting board games, cleaning products, and gift cards for 48 families in need this holiday season. This opportunity will benefit families participating in HOPE for Stable Families to set goals, remove barriers, and find support in moving out of poverty to long-term financial stability.
United Way offers free tax preparation to eligible individuals. This program is great because of our fantastic volunteers. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to serve as Greeters, Tax Preparers, or Quality Reviewers. People over age 55 may also qualify for mileage reimbursement to/from volunteering. No experience is necessary.
United Way is in the process of building a skills-based volunteering program. We are looking for interested volunteers to help us develop the program. If you are interested in participating in listening and learning sessions, please let us know by clicking here to email Ramona Gaukel.
Show people in central Iowa how much you care and how much they matter by writing a note of encouragement. We will deliver your notes to the people who need them the most, including teachers, students, home-bound senior citizens, healthcare workers, and more.
United Way of Central Iowa team members led this interactive online information session to help corporate teams develop a plan to use their volunteer time off. We describe on-site, hybrid, holiday, and 55+ volunteering. The video also demonstrates navigating the Central Iowa Volunteer Hub.
Always Available
Literacy kits are used in elementary schools and at early childhood centers to help inspire a love of learning and reading. Employees say making literacy kits is a meaningful break in their workday while connecting with their fellow co-workers.
ON-DEMAND VIRTUAL EVENT
This event focused on essential needs and giving back to youth and adults experiencing homelessness. This is a two-part event. Part one is education, part two is a call to action with a hands-on volunteer/donation activity. Recording of the event is available to use on-demand.
ON-DEMAND VIRTUAL EVENT
This event focused on essential needs and giving back to youth and adults experiencing homelessness. This is a two-part event. Part one is education, part two is a call to action with a hands-on volunteer/donation activity. Recording of the event is available to use on-demand.
April 2022
National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize and thank volunteers who lend their time, talent, voice, and resources to meet the critical needs of our community. United Way has created a toolkit for you to recognize your employees.
May 2022
Stuff the Bus is our annual book drive. Together last year we collected nearly 24,000 books. Sign up to help Stuff the Bus and we will provide you with resources and tools to help make it a success.
September 2022
Day of Action is a day when our nonprofit partners team up with corporate volunteers to help accomplish projects, big and small. Visit this page to see photos and results from the 2021 Day of Action. The next Day of Action will happen in 2022.
Many families struggle to afford hygiene items like shampoo or deodorant. This can cause teasing or make kids skip school. Make a difference by hosting a school hygiene drive at your workplace. We have opportunities to support Des Moines Public, Saydel, Carlisle, and Perry schools. However, you could hold a drive for any school in your area.
Create Book Buddy students their very own Magic Reading Carpet -- small blankets that they can sit on or hold while they are reading. They will use their Magic Reading Carpet twice weekly throughout the school year and will get to take it home with them upon completion of the program.
Book Buddy is a 1:1 reading program that pairs volunteers with preschoolers for regular reading. The caring adult reads in person to the student at a local childcare center. You may pair up with a friend to share this weekly volunteer opportunity.
An online portal that connects individuals in central Iowa seeking leadership roles with nonprofit organizations that have opportunities. Find listings for Boards of Directors, Committees, Task Forces, Councils, Ad Hoc Steering Committees, and more.
UNITED 55+ is a great way for adults to get involved in the community. A partnership with AmeriCorps Seniors Program, the program provides support and guidance to volunteers aged 55+. Benefits include mileage reimbursement and networking opportunities.
Ramona "Moni" Gaukel
Volunteer Engagement Officer
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United Way of Central Iowa is proud to have earned a four-star rating for 15 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.
United Way of Central Iowa has received a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, the world's largest source of information on nonprofit organizations. The seal is given to nonprofits who have achieved the highest level of transparency through disclosures, information made available to the public, and accuracy and frequency of updates. Click the logo to learn more.