What is the Circle of Support?

The Circle of Support is a group of more than 100 nonprofit programs that are funded by United Way of the Midlands (UWM) donors like YOU! These nonprofit programs provide three different supports that are vital to helping families in need: Basic Needs, Education and Financial Stability.

Why is it important to provide Basic Needs, Education AND Financial Stability support?

People who are struggling often need many different kinds of help to get back on their feet.

For example, after Vincent fell ill and couldn’t recover because he lacked access to adequate healthcare, he lost his job and is now struggling to pay his utility bills. Joan wants to escape a domestic violence situation, but she lacks the education and job training to be able to afford a safe, stable home for herself and her kids. The circumstances that lead to poverty are complex and interconnected.

By providing basic needs, education and financial stability supports, UWM-funded programs form a Circle of Support around our neighbors in need so they can address multiple problems at once and regain stability during difficult times.

Meet Cass

She overcame addiction, homelessness and domestic violence with our donors’ support.

Meet Luis

He learned how to cope with trauma and is thriving in preschool with our donors’ support.

Meet Jabin

A young entrepreneur, he will be the first college graduate in his family with our donors’ support.

Why is providing a Circle of Support needed now more than ever?

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 100,000 people were living in poverty in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area.

Now, COVID-19 has forced employers to make difficult decisions, creating an entirely new demographic: people who are newly in-need, out of work, taking care of loved ones…with no idea where to turn.

Thousands more people are struggling to meet their basic needs for food, shelter and health care. Because schools aren’t in session and children have spent less time in the classroom, hundreds of children are at a higher risk of falling behind. And as the economy slips into recession, unemployment rates have reached new heights, leaving a staggering number of people without stable jobs.

That’s not all. Other neighbors are one missed paycheck, broken down vehicle or health crisis away from being in need themselves.

We can’t meet people’s many needs alone. YOU can help those who are struggling by donating what you can to our Omaha Gives fundraiser today! Your gift will support more than 100 nonprofit programs that form a Circle of Support for our neighbors and help them build a better life.

Every dollar up to $15,000 will be graciously matched by our community partner, Wells Fargo.

Omaha Gives! is a year-round online giving platform organized by the Omaha Community Foundation to grow philanthropy in Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie counties. Each year, a 24-hour online giving event in May celebrates participating nonprofits.

The goal of Omaha Gives! is to inspire our community to come together for 24-hours to give as much as possible to support the work of public 501(c)(3) nonprofits in the metro area. The minimum donation is $1 and there is no maximum.

About the Author

Brayton is the Manager of Communications at United Way of the Midlands. She spends most of her days writing press releases, letters, brochures and more, but she wouldn’t have it any other way! She loves to travel and is always daydreaming about her next adventure. When she’s at home, you’ll most likely find her hanging out with her family and friends, eating chocolate or reading a good book.