Your United Way

Community Impact

United Way of Southwest Minnesota advances the common good by focusing on the building blocks for a good quality of life - education, income, health, hunger, safety & well-being.  Our purpose is to recruit people and organizations that bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done.

United Way of Southwest Minnesota is a local, autonomous organization that is not just about raising and distributing money.  It's about creating opportunities for a better life for all. 

• Community Impact Grants - 2013-14 Community Impact Grant Application documents are now available.
• Special Community Projects Grant - previously known as Venture Grants - Policy and purpose have both been updated!  Check it out!
• Community Initiatives
• Student Emergency Funds

Following are the United Way of Southwest Minnesota Goals for the Common Good.  All grants, initiatives and work of this organization support these goals.  CLICK HERE for a printable version of the Goals for the Common Good.

UNITED AGAINST HUNGER

Increase nutrition awareness and outreach

• Food support referral, application assistance and follow-through on enrollment in food support programs to increase participation in food support programs.

• Nutrition Education

• Basic cooking skills

Connect with vulnerable seniors, disadvantaged or persons with disabilities

*Includes but not limited to elderly, non-English speaking, mental or physical disabilities, lack of access to transportation, or other factors that limit the ability to get help

• Meal Delivery (Meals on Wheels)

• Mobile opportunities in smaller communities

• Increase participation in food support programs

• Nutrition Education

Increase access to food

• Food shelf/pantry

• Connect with and improve a network of area food shelves

• Increase donations of food items/food rescue

• Increase access to fresh produce

• Community gardens, engage people/increase participation/extra row concept

• Develop and share hunger solutions through Fare For All, food distribution events and other programs

• Meal programs

• Summer meal programs for school aged children and families

• Backpack programs for weekends

• Nutrition Education

United Way of Southwest Minnesota encourages food programs to:

• Food shelves/pantries to be a member of or comply with as many of the standards set by Second Harvest Heartland or Emergency Foodshelf Network as possible;Where appropriate use screening tool (e.g. Bridges to Benefits) to screen participants for Food Support.  The screening tool may also help determine potential eligibility for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and other federal benefits; When appropriate provide up-to-date information and referrals-where needed-for housing, job training, financial counseling, tax preparation, etc.; Collaborate with other basic needs focused organizations/food shelves, etc., when appropriate.

UNITED TO INCREASE SAFETY & WELL-BEING

Build awareness, education and respect for the consequences of bullying

• Proactive and consistent parent and community education

• Advocacy

• Provide tools to model positive, caring behavior

• Teach respectful communication and/or conflict resolution

Increase suicide prevention and awareness

• Support and Outreach

Strengthen support and prevention programs that target:

• Bullying

• Sexual Assault

• Domestic Violence

• Child Abuse

• Mentoring, Youth Development

• Providing safe places, i.e., Out of School Time, Support groups

• Engagement opportunities, community involvement/service

• Building Resiliency and Self-esteem

• Increasing potential for success and enabling others to thrive

• Increasing awareness of resources

• Outreach to those growing up or living in disadvantaged circumstances

EDUCATION

Help children and youth achieve their potential.

• Children enter kindergarten developmentally on track in the areas of literacy and in social, emotional and cognitive skills

• Academic achievement means elementary-age students are prepared to succeed in later grades and to graduate from high school.

• Young adults (18-24) are making the transition from high school to the working world.

INCOME

Promote financial stability and independence

• Youth and adults develop financial literacy skills.

• Lower-income individuals and families move toward financial stability.

• Community members have resources to overcome disasters and emotional or financial crises.

HEALTH

Increase the number of youth and adults who are healthy and avoid risky behaviors.

• Achieve a healthier start to life.

• Increase community conditions that support healthy behaviors.

• Promote healthy eating and physical activity.

• Seniors and people with disabilities maximize their self-sufficiency.