United Way of the Midlands’ Annual Report

July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024

A message from our board chair and ceo

A note from our Board Chair and CEO about this past year’s successes, learnings and proud moments.

United Way Friends,

While the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro is a dynamic community where many are thriving, others face barriers and challenges that threaten their well-being and stability. As hard-working families deal with rising housing costs, food insecurity, a lack of affordable childcare and more – the incredible generosity of our neighbors in the metro is making a meaningful difference.

In a true testament to this caring spirit, United Way of the Midlands (UWM) raised more than $32 million this past fiscal year – thanks to the passionate leadership of 2023 Campaign Chairs Rob and Stacie Reed and the team at Physicians Mutual – and with the thoughtful guidance of our UWM Board of Directors. 

In addition, following the April tornadoes that displaced thousands of people in Nebraska and Iowa, UWM created the Nebraska and Iowa Tornado Relief Fund (NITRF). The fund raised more than $1.4 million thanks to the generosity and compassion of corporate and individual donors – with 100% of every donation being directed to those in need of assistance.

As we continue to work with organizations across the metro who share our commitment to addressing our community’s most pressing needs – we can help those who are struggling build a better future for themselves and their families. Through these partnerships, UWM is able to deliver results by funding our community’s most impactful health and human service programs and filling the gaps that exist with direct services like the 211 Helpline, JAG Nebraska, the Weatherization Assistance Program and more.

And with the support of generous community members like you, we will respond to the ever-changing challenges many are facing and create opportunities for everyone to thrive in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro.

We are grateful for your partnership. 

Chanda Chacón
Board Chair

President & CEO

Children’s Nebraska

SHAWNA FORSBERG​

Shawna Forsberg

President and Chief Executive Officer

United Way of the Midlands

our mission

Mission Statement

Spirit of giving

The Power of Generosity in Our Community

proudly supported by

We are truly grateful to the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro and how they come together each year to support United Way of the Midlands, and for the 884 partner organizations we have the privilege to work with.

Because of the generosity of these companies, thousands of people across our community received support to get back on their feet.

Responsible stewardship and accountability

A year of progress

thanks to the generosity of donors like you, we raised more than

$32 million

to invest in our community!

Envisioning tomorrow

PLANNING WITH PURPOSE FOR A RESILIENT FUTURE

strategic plan

Our 2024-2027 strategic plan reaffirms UWM’s purpose and guides our work to address the evolving needs of our community.

Based on our strategic plan, UWM and our partners will provide more than 10 million services to address social and economic disparities, with impact focused in four areas:

 

Healthy Community – Improving health and well-being for all

Youth Opportunity – Helping young people realize their full potential

Financial Security – Building financial stability and strength

Community Resiliency – Addressing urgent needs today to advance a better tomorrow

A Preferred Partner for Implementation

As we look ahead, United Way of the Midlands is proud to be a preferred partner for implementation, leveraging our expertise and collaborative approach to drive impactful solutions.

With new partnerships including a Weatherization program, Military and Family Helpline, expansion of 211 services into Illinois and the statewide growth of JAG, we continue to expand our reach. Additionally, our grantmaking capabilities and proven investment management processes position us to lead even more initiatives that address critical community needs.

Legacy Society

Your Legacy, Our Community’s Future!

Planned giving designed to deliver a perpetual source of funding to help United Way of the Midlands for many years to come.

Life Insurance Beneficiary Gift

Individual Endowed Gift

Endowed Tocqueville Gift

Estate or Planned Gift

United Way of the Midlands offers donors a powerful way to leave a lasting legacy through planned giving. With the Legacy Society and our estate planning guide, you can make a difference that extends beyond your lifetime. Legacy Society endowments provide a perpetual source of funding, ensuring our community remains resilient and strong for your children, grandchildren and generations to come.

Through UWM alone, volunteers dedicated more than 38,000 hours to our community last year. Capitalizing on the strong spirit of volunteering in our community, UWM is excited to introduce our SkillShare program.

This initiative aims to connect community leaders with organizations that can benefit from their expertise and talents.  The SkillShare program will offer various opportunities, including serving on boards and committees, providing mentorship and training and contributing specialized skills to address critical needs.  By leveraging the diverse talents of our leaders, we aim to strengthen local organizations and enhance their impact, ultimately fostering a more vibrant and supportive community.

we moved!

Our ability to collaborate and come together is essential to creating a thriving future for hardworking families across the metro.

In February we moved to our new location in Millwork commons, where we had a unique opportunity to sublet a space from WP Engine. They graciously offered us an in-kind contribution toward our rent, all of the existing furniture and technology currently in the space.

Many partners also donated in full or offered reduced pricing to make this move possible, including a buildout required to make the space compatible for our operations.

 

This move gave us additional space to grow staff to support programs – such as JAG Nebraska and 211 – and to keep doing the work we do while maintaining a collaborative, engaging and supportive environment.

Thanks to Google, we now have a beautiful training center available for the nonprofit community to host trainings and engage clients in meaningful dialogue. It is all part of our commitment to bringing the community together.

Leaders In Action

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