OUR MISSION IN ACTION

Our Mission in Action!

The United Way of Southwest Minnesota invests donations into our communities primarily through Community Impact Grants. We focus on four key areas: Youth Opportunity, Healthy Communities, Financial Security, and Community Resilience. Programs that receive funding are carefully selected based on their significant impact on the lives of residents in Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine, and parts of Cottonwood, Lac qui Parle, Nobles, and Redwood counties in Minnesota.  You can click on the link provided to view the list of programs we are currently investing in.

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

Your investment helps increase access to:

  • Nutritious meals
  • Safe environments
  • Developmental tools for children
  • Financial literacy skills
  •  Physical, emotional, and mental fitness programs

Learn more at UnitedWaySWMN.org/CI

HEALTHY COMMUNITY

  • Achieving a healthier start to life
  • Enhance community conditions that support healthy behaviors
  • Promote healthy eating and physical activity
  • Expand access to programs that improve physical, emotional, and mental fitness
  • Connect individuals to food support efforts, programs, and opportunities
  • Increase access to nutritious meals for those in need
  • Boost nutritional awareness, food budgeting, and basic cooking skills

YOUTH OPPORTUNITY

  • Ensure children enter kindergarten developmentally on track in literacy, social, emotional, and cognitive skills
  • Prepare elementary-aged students for success in later grades and high school graduation
  • Assist learners in exploring interests and preparing for post-secondary education and careers
  • Support in-school, after-school, and summer learning programs
  • Promote family engagement
  • Enhance literacy development
  • Foster College and career readiness

FINANCIAL SECURITY

  • Increase financial literacy skills for youth and adults
  • Help individuals and families move toward financial stability
  • Expand access to education, employment, and job training
  • Ensure community members have access to support services and resources to help navigate challenging times of crisis.
  • Support adult education, job training, and career pathways
  • Provide financial education and coaching
  • Preventing homelessness

COMMUNITY RESILIENCY

  • Increase suicide prevention, support, outreach, and awareness
  • Enhance access to services that provide a safe environment free from sexual assault, domestic violence, abuse, bullying, and crime
  • Offer engagement opportunities for community involvement, service, mentoring, and youth development
  • Strengthening efforts to create equitable opportunities and increase awareness and engagement in outreach services and programs
  • Support crisis hotline and support service programs