Campaign Frequently Asked Questions

United Way of Southwest Minnesota is a 100% independent local non-profit organization that focuses on human service needs of communities in this area. United Way is much more than a fund-raising organization. United Way is about changing lives. United Way works with dozens of partners to deliver results. Our primary service area includes Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine and western Redwood Counties of Minnesota.

A twenty-four member Board of Directors is comprised of local volunteers. These volunteers are responsible for setting policies, budget and for overseeing the direction of United Way of Southwest Minnesota. The 2009-10 Board President is Melinda Schmidt of North Star Mutual Insurance Company. Professional staff manages day-to-day activities.

United Way of America is the national organization dedicated to leading the United Way movement in making a measurable impact in every community across America by focusing on the underlying causes of the most serious problems. The United Way movement includes over 1,300 community-based United Way organizations. Each is independent, separately incorporated and governed by local volunteers. There are no fund-raising quotas, and all resources are under local control and decision-making. Dues to United Way of America end up being less than 1% of our budget and are recouped by our community many times over in training, services and access to national corporations.

When you give to United Way of Southwest Minnesota, you entrust your hard-earned dollars to a local organization that takes this trust very seriously. The organization is committed to the highest standard of fund responsibility, transparency and stewardship. United Way of Southwest Minnesota volunteers oversee grants to all local programs and closely monitor agency services and hold them accountable for integrity in their programming and business operations. Just as important, United Way of Southwest Minnesota's own operating expenses and records are audited by an independent accounting firm and carefully scrutinized by a volunteer finance committee to protect this trust. Based on our most recent audit, local administration costs are only 5.8% and fund raising costs are only another 7.5%, which means the most money possible goes into services for people in this area. United Way of Southwest Minnesota also provides important services to the community in addition to providing grants to qualifying organizations providing services for local people.

United Way of Southwest Minnesota and its partner organizations need and appreciate volunteer participation. Contact United Way of Southwest Minnesota at 507-929-2273 for more infromation. To see what volunteer opportunities are available in this area, go to our Volunteer Connection section on our website.

United Way of Southwest Minnesota has several grant opportunities. Venture Grant applications will be accepted two times this year. Community Impact Grants are awarded each summer. United Way of Southwest Minnesota needs to know of an organization's interest by February of each year to get them current information for the Community Impact Grant process. All grants are reviewed by teams of volunteers. Venture Grant and Community Impact Grant information is available elsewhere on our website.

To be eligible to apply for funds through United Way of Southwest Minnesota, you must meet the following requirements: be a non-profit health or human service agency serving residents of our service area; document cost-effective delivery of high-priority programs and services; demonstrate sound financial and administrative management practices; comply with all applicable laws; be governed by a board of directors; and demonstrate impact through measureable outcomes. i.e. show that they get results.

Children ages birth to 5 years of age who live in this area are eligible to be enrolled in this literacy, school-readiness program. They will receive a free, age-appropriate book each month at home. Parents need to agree to regularly read the books to their children. For more information, go to our Imagination Library link on our website. Or contact United Way of Southwest Minnesota at 507-929-2273. You can also enroll through our website.