OUR MISSION IN ACTION

Our Mission in Action!

United Way of Southwest Minnesota works throughout the year to raise funds to support local individuals and communities.  We focus on investing in programs that align with our five priority areas: health, education, financial stability, hunger, and safety & well-being.  We firmly believe these are the fundamental building blocks for a quality life.  While other aspects of life are important, these areas are essential.  You can click on the link provided to view the list of programs we are currently investing in.  Please refer to our website for more information on our grant opportunities and eligibility requirements.

We raise funds throughout the year to support local programs that support health, education, financial stability, hunger, and safety & well-being.  These are the essential building blocks for a quality life.  Click the link to see the programs we support.

For more information on our grant opportunities and eligibility requirements, visit our website.  Click here.

To view our service area, click here.

 

Our Annual Campaign

We hold an annual fundraising campaign that collects donations from individuals, businesses, groups, organizations, and events.  Learn more at UnitedWaySWMN.org/Campaign.

Community Investment Process

Campaign funds raised throughout the year are reinvested in local programs that serve the people in the local community.  Community volunteers review applications for program funding to assess the impact and ensure your donation is invested well!  Learn more at UnitedWaySWMN.org/CIG.

Your Impact

The impact of your investment is visible in our service area, as it helps increase access to the following:

  • Food or nutritious meals.
  • Services that provide a safe environment.
  • Tools necessary to ensure children start school developmentally on track.
  • Improved financial literacy skills.
  • Programs that enhance physical, emotional, and mental fitness.

Learn more at UnitedWaySWMN.org/CI

HEALTH:  Increase healthy behaviors and wellness.

  • Achieve a healthier start to life
  • Increase community conditions that support healthy behaviors
  • Promote healthy eating and physical activity
  • Provide and increase access to programs that improve physical, emotional and mental fitness.

EDUCATION:  Improve life-long learning and development.

  • Assure children enter kindergarten developmentally on track in literacy skills, as well as social, emotional and cognitive skills.
  • Prepare elementary-aged students to succeed in later grades and to graduate high school.
  • Assist learners in exploring areas of interest and preparing for post-secondary education and/or a career.

FINANCIAL STABILITY:  Improve financial stability and independence.

  • Increase financial literacy skills for youth and adults.
  • Help individuals and families move toward financial stability.
  • Increase access to education, employment and/or job training.
  • Assure community members have resources to overcome disasters and emotional or financial crises.

HUNGER:  Increase food access, nutritional awareness and outreach.

  • Connect people to food support efforts/programs/opportunities.
  • Increase access to food and/or nutritious meals for people in need.
  • Increase nutritional awareness, food budgeting/stretching and/or basic cooking skills.

SAFETY & WELL-BEING:  Increase access to services focused on safety and well-being.

  • Increase suicide prevention, support, outreach and/or awareness.
  • Increase access to services that provide a safe environment free from sexual assault, domestic violence, abuse, bullying and/or crime.
  • Provide engagement opportunities for community involvement, service, mentoring and/or youth development.
  • Strengthen efforts to create equitable opportunities; increase awareness and engagement in outreach services/programs.