thanks to the generosity of donors like you, we raised more than
$32 million
to invest in our community!
fiscal year july 2023 - june 2024
a year of progress
measuring our impact and expanding our reach
Thanks to the giving spirit across the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro, and the leadership of our campaign chairs Terri and Tim Burke, UWM raised more than $40 million for our community during the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
A trusted agent of change
From the first dollar donated in 1923 to more than 40,000 people now giving to UWM, corporate and individual support has been the driving force behind a century of progress – proving that together, we can achieve incredible impact. UWM is proud to serve as a trusted agent for change. Our collective approach means we provide funding to impactful programs, and also offer direct services where they are needed most.
your partner for a better tomorrow
As a trusted vehicle for investment, we are proud to leverage its unique position in the community to serve as a convener, collaborator and information aggregator.
We examine our community’s most pressing challenges from a broad lens and work with our trusted allies to bring the business, government and nonprofit communities together to address them in a responsible, efficient and effective way.
But by creating a broad circle of supports and a safety net of essential services, we can address challenges, fill gaps through direct services and strengthen systems people rely on – ensuring we have a thriving network of health and human services available in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro to address the evolving needs of our community
impact areas
Every investment and direct service we provide aligns with our new strategic plan to create a thriving, resilient community. Explore how we focus our efforts to make a lasting impact across these essential areas.
Healthy Community
Improving health and well-being for all
Food access, shelter and homeless prevention, physical and behavioral health, case management and legal services, Combined Health Agencies Drive (CHAD) and more.
Youth Opportunity
Helping young people realize their full potential
Childcare and early childhood development, after school and summer learning, mentoring, college and career readiness, family engagement, JAG Nebraska and more.
Financial Security
Building financial stability and strength
Education and training, employment and entrepreneurship, financial literacy and asset development, Siemer Institute partnership and more.
Community Resiliency
Addressing urgent needs today to advance a better tomorrow
Referrals to health and human service resources via the 211 Helpline (NE and IA), CRCSP, Goodfellows, Emergency Food & Shelter Program, disaster relief/recovery and more.
Creating Local Impact
Over the last year, your support has made an incredible difference for families across the metro. We’re not only addressing immediate needs and providing critical supports, but we’re also making long-term investments that provide a path out of crisis toward stability, and help families change the course of their lives.
Thanks to your investments, United Way and our partners surpassed our annual goals by providing:
More than 10 million meals
515,000 health services
410,000 shelter nights
24,000 education and training sessions
Community Impact Fund
At United Way of the Midlands, we specialize in strategic investments that align donor interests with proven community needs. By leveraging diverse partnerships, we direct funds where they are most needed to maximize community impact. In 2024, anticipating a competitive process with more than 220 funding requests, we refined our approach to include an LOI phase and due diligence meetings to better manage expectations and provide tailored feedback. Through our Community Impact Fund, volunteers review applications and allocate resources, strengthening the human services network across the metro area.
EFSP (Emergency Food & Shelter Program) /State Set Aside
In partnership with United Way Worldwide, United Way of the Midlands effectively administers the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) and State Set-Aside (SSA) program. Through the fund, UWM invested in six local programs across five agencies for EFSP and nine state regions for SSA – all aimed at preventing homelessness and food insecurity by providing crucial assistance to individuals and families.
aRPA IMPACT REPORT
In 2022, United Way of the Midlands (UWM) was entrusted with distributing $5 million in ARPA funding over two years for the City of Omaha. This partnership highlighted trust in our community-driven processes and commitment to resilience.
As the pandemic tested our community, it revealed barriers but also showcased the strength of nonprofits. Thanks to Mayor Jean Stothert’s leadership, the community played a key role in directing ARPA dollars to where they were most needed.
About 100 volunteers selected 33 basic needs programs for funding — supporting food, shelter, health and essential services. These strategic investments addressed immediate needs while fostering long-term recovery.
JAG Nebraska
JAG Nebraska is a for-credit elective for middle and high school students, offering life skills, career development and leadership training to help them succeed academically and in their careers. Launched in 2019 through a partnership with Nebraska’s Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services, and with support from Commissioner John Albin and Governor Jim Pillen, the program has grown from three schools to 80 for the 2024-25 school year, reaching nearly 4,000 students annually with a 99% graduation rate last year.
JAG Career Specialists teach real-world skills and connect students with employers through tours, job shadowing and conferences. In the 2023-24 school year alone, JAG hosted 600 employer visits, helping build a skilled workforce for Nebraska.
211
Over the last year, your support has made an incredible difference for families across the metro. We’re not only addressing immediate needs and providing critical supports, but we’re also making long-term investments that provide a path out of crisis toward stability, and help families change the course of their lives.
211 top 5 needs
The 211 Helpline is fully funded through the State of Nebraska, grants and fee-for-service contracts. We are grateful for the work of the Nebraska Unicameral to help maintain the support for this growing public-private partnership.
Additionally, in fiscal year 2024-25, 211 will provide expanded coverage from Nebraska and most of Iowa, to include counties in Illinois.
211 Partners & programs
Over the last year, your support has made an incredible difference for families across the metro. We’re not only addressing immediate needs and providing critical supports, but we’re also making long-term investments that provide a path out of crisis toward stability, and help families change the course of their lives.
In addition, 211 provides specialized assistance through private contracts, Goodfellows and Lyft programs.
ADRC (Aging and Disability Resource Center) – Provides support for seniors, persons with disabilities, their families/caregivers with information and assistance on available community services and long-term supports.
Military and Family Helpline – A collaboration with Offutt Air Force Base to connect the military population with on-base and community-based military support programs and resources.
Save our Seniors – A program serving individuals age 60+ who have experienced hardships as a result of elder mistreatment including abuse, neglect or financial misappropriation.
Help Me Grow – A collaboration between 211 and the BRIDGE to connect children age 8 and younger with resources when parents have developmental, behavioral or educational concerns.
UNITE US – A program of working with network partners to provide timely, accurate and appropriate referrals to meet the full range of a client’s needs.
Weatherization Assistance Program
UWM is proud to collaborate with OPPD and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy on the Weatherization Assistance Program (Weatherization). This energy-efficiency program aims to help low-income households reduce energy costs while ensuring their health and safety. The services are offered to eligible households at no cost – thanks to funding from the U.S. Departments of Energy and Health and Human Services.
In addition to energy-efficiency improvements, the program also checks each home’s indoor air quality, combustion safety, carbon monoxide and other possible issues. Following each home check, a work order is created and trained crews install energy efficient supports – like blowing insulation or new windows – plus any health and safety measures needed. At the conclusion of each project, a certified inspector checks to make sure all work is completed appropriately.
UWM’s 211 Helpline accepts Weatherization applications in Douglas County and determines eligibility as part of this new partnership – helping improve the lives of many low-income families in the metro.
Goodfellows
United Way of the Midlands is proud to partner with the Omaha World-Herald to administer the Goodfellows program that provides help to those in our community who have fallen on hard times. This includes people between jobs, the elderly, those who have experienced abuse and those facing a personal crisis with nowhere else to turn.
- Rent, mortgage and utility support for more than 875 families
- 71,440 diapers for 1,100 children
- 7,750 meals for local families in need
- Shoes, coats and clothing for more than 14,000 school-aged children at 76 schools
CRCSP
In collaboration with Douglas County and partners in the court system, UWM’s Court Referral Community Service Program and Offender Work Program (OWP) serve 395+ justice-involved adults annually – referring them to agencies for completion of community service hours, verifying they complete their hours and delivering reports to probation officers and the courts. This represents more than 2,500 service hours for our community – and CRCSP is currently on-track to serve the most clients since 2017.
Nebraska & Iowa Tornado Relief Fund (NITRF) and Natural Disaster Relief Fund
In addition to its traditional investments, UWM created the Nebraska and Iowa Tornado Relief Fund (NITRF) in response to April 2024 tornadoes that displaced thousands of people in Nebraska and Iowa. The fund raised $1,415,000 – thanks to the compassion and generosity of corporate and individual donors – with 100% of every donation being directed to those in need of assistance.
Play Video
The money raised was distributed in two phases:
- Phase one included distributions to both individuals experiencing severe damage or complete destruction of their primary residence and 10 local agencies/organizations who worked directly with impacted families and aided in recovery efforts.
- Phase two included distributions to 11 local agencies/organizations to strengthen their ability to respond to long-term recovery needs.
Additionally, with the support of UWM’s Board of Directors, our partners at Tenaska, Children’s Nebraska, Scoular and Lindsay designated a portion of their contributions to establish a Disaster Relief Fund so resources will be immediately available when the next natural disaster occurs in our region.
- April 26 Storm Contacts – 768
- May 21 Storm Contacts – 251
- July 31 Storm Contacts – 2153
- Other IA Storms Contacts – 143
- Other NE Storms Contacts- 119
Mental Health
Through its partnership with Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare, and thanks to the support of Women United, UWM continues to expand access to Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training. This training gives individuals the tools and resources they need to help someone struggling with mental health challenges, while helping to reduce the stigma of and barriers to seeking help.
Since expanding with Women United, Region 6 has hosted 176 MHFA trainings for more than 2,200 people.
As a result of MHFA 80%+ of participants are better equipped to
- Identify and address their own mental health needs
- Approach and help someone with mental health needs
- Identify mental health needs of people around them
- Bring awareness of mental health needs
Shine Bright
As part of its Good on the Go program, UWM partners with local school districts and raises funds for the purchase and assembly of Shine Bright hygiene kits for Kindergarten, sixth- and ninth-grade students. The kits are then distributed to students in the Omaha, Council Bluffs and Papillion La Vista school districts – as well as JAG Nebraska students across the state. Each Shine Bright kit contains the full-size essential hygiene items kids need to feel confident so they can succeed in the classroom and in life.
- Nearly 400 community volunteers representing 34 organizations/companies
- 5,100 kits built/distributed to metro-area school districts
- 300 kits built/distributed to JAG Nebraska students across Nebraska
- 10 supporting and community sponsors
- 7 companies were both sponsors and volunteered
Housing & Utility assistance
More than half of 211 callers request support with housing and utilities. With the support of MAACH, MUD, OPPD, Goodfellows donors and our fabulous partner the Omaha World-Herald, we provided more than $13.6 million in rental, mortgage and utility assistance to help eligible Nebraskans stay in their homes.
PROGRAMS & PARTNERSHIPS
UWM also plays a pivotal role in addressing community needs by offering direct service programs and forging collaborative partnerships.
Through direct service programs, we create a tangible impact by running initiatives that directly assist individuals and families. UWM’s reach and effectiveness is further amplified through coalitions. Ultimately, these programs and partnerships, combined with our investment portfolio, represent a multifaceted response to the ever-evolving needs of the metro – fostering positive, sustainable change.
211 CONTACT CENTER
Last year, the 211 Contact Center had more than 313,000 contacts – connecting with people over the phone, through text and online. And thanks to our work with Children’s Nebraska, CyncHealth, Lyft, the Iowa Department of Public Health, Unite Us, Help Me Grow and Nebraska and Iowa United Ways – families get the help they need faster. With more than 4,000 organizations in our resource database and the support of key donors, 211 continues to grow.
The 211 Contact Center is now an official Aging Disability Resource Center (ADRC) for the entire state of Nebraska!
UWM’s 211 Contact Center is also now taking calls as an Aging and Disability Resource Center, and is working to further support Nebraska’s aging population through a Victim of Crimes Act partnership. This is especially important as we know the 65 and older population is projected to increase 51% between 2020 and 2045. With older adults now replacing children as the age group with highest poverty, this partnership means more seniors can access critical supports.
211 expands to iowa!
Additionally, we expanded 211 coverage in terms of both geography and duration – moving from supporting Southwest Iowa over nights and weekends, to 24/7 coverage across nearly the entire state of Iowa. In July, we welcomed new team members from Iowa and ensured a seamless transition to avoid interruption in service.
Housing & Utility assistance
More than half of 211 callers request support with housing and utilities. With the support of MAACH, MUD, OPPD, Goodfellows donors and our fabulous partner the Omaha World-Herald, we provided more than $13.6 million in rental, mortgage and utility assistance to help eligible Nebraskans stay in their homes.
Embedded in our Community
This map shows the nonprofits receiving UWM funding, as well as JAG Nebraska sites, schools receiving Shine Bright kits, our partners in court referral and more.
Here you can see how your impact extends across the entire community and creates access to resources, forging a brighter, more resilient future.
OUR MISSION
Even as we grow in exciting new directions, our existing program partnerships continue to flourish.