For the past 98 years, United Way of the Midlands (UWM) has used its community-wide perspective to identify local needs that are going unseen or unmet – and how we partner with corporate, government organizations, nonprofits, and donors to tackle them. Today, UWM remains committed to uniting our community’s caring spirit to build a stronger tomorrow. We invest donor dollars in 150 local nonprofit programs that, together, form a circle of support around our community. These programs are addressing pressing social and economic disparities and providing the essentials families need to thrive. The application process is now closed. Please email mblue@uwmidlands.org with questions.
More than 130 community volunteers have joined United Way of the Midlands (UWM) and are currently reviewing submissions for community card funding, as well as ARPA funding through the City of Omaha. Volunteers may submit questions to applicants as part of their review process. Applicant organizations should add admin@e-cimpact.com to their safe sender list.
Programs will be notified in June of decisions related to their applications, and will be required to sign grant agreements that outline requirements. Funded programs will receive investments beginning July 1, 2022 for a two-year cycle ending June 30, 2024. The continuation of funding for programs after the first year in the investment cycle for both UWM and ARPA funded programs is contingent upon the adherence to all requirements in the Grant Agreement and availability of funds.
For questions regarding UWM Funding please reach out to the Community Impact and Analytics Team at communityinvestment@uwmidlands.org.
This includes, but is not limited to, food distribution, meal services, pantry and pantry services, and backpack programs, etc.
Programs that provide access to a coordinated and integrated system of supports to remove barriers. Including, but not limited to, navigation and case management, material resources, legal, disaster, etc.
Access to immediate safe shelter.
Transitional housing options and other support services for individuals and families to prevent homelessness.
Financial literacy, awareness and knowledge about asset building/protection, and independent living preparedness.
Increase knowledge and skills of healthy parenting and childhood development.
Increase knowledge, skills, or assets to promote health and nutrition, and prevent disease and diet-related illness or asthma.
Access to high-quality physical and dental healthcare services across the lifespan.
Access to high-quality behavioral and mental health counseling services for all ages.
*This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP0230 awarded to the City of Omaha by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
For more information about the City of Omaha ARPA Community Grant Program, you can read the press release at https://www.cityofomaha.org/american-rescue-plan-act.
United Way of the Midlands brings individuals, businesses, nonprofits and government agencies together to strengthen our community.
Programs funded through the Community Care Fund are selected through our Community Investment Review Team (CIRT) Process. This effort is facilitated by UWM’s community impact team of subject matter experts, along with our analytics and performance team.
During the CIRT process, community volunteers review funding proposals submitted by local nonprofit agencies. The volunteers evaluate each proposal based on a number of criteria, including the program’s ability to demonstrate measurable impact, drive efficiencies, establish collaborations and more. Their discernment resulted in a 2018-2020 investment portfolio that maintains a broad community-wide view and recognizes that challenges are interconnected.
View our investments here
United Ways across the country are locally-governed by a Board of Directors in their service areas and set their own policies.
Because United Way organizations have a community-wide perspective, United Way of the Midlands connects with United Way organizations around the country to share learnings, experiences and insights. United Way Worldwide (UWW) often facilitates information sharing and aggregates data from the network of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways around the world. UWW is an international service association created to serve independent, local United Ways by providing necessary services such as training for staff and volunteers, national publicity, campaign materials and program and service data. UWW does not set policy for UWM or any of the other locally-governed United Ways across the country.
Read more about United Way Worldwide
Donors can make online gifts by clicking here or simply texting THATKINDOFTOWN to 41444. Many donors also give through a workplace campaign.
You can also mail a check or stop by and see us at our office at 2201 Farnam St., Ste. 200, Omaha, NE, 68102. Please call 402-342-8232 or email support@uwmidlands.org if you have questions.
Please email our team at communitystrong@uwmidlands.org to cancel, void or refund a donation.
If you donate through our online donation form or through a text-to-give campaign, you can visit https://www.mobilecause.com/constituent-terms-new/ to learn more about terms, how to opt out, get help or learn more about your donation.
We’re happy to help you start a workplace campaign! There are many ways you can share your enthusiasm for United Way and promote philanthropic giving in your workplace.
For more information, please contact Greg Vassios, Senior Vice President, Corporate and Donor Relations at gvassios@uwmidlands.org
We make every dollar count. United Way of the Midlands is ranked 7th for campaign performance out of approximately 1,200 U.S.-based United Ways. As a result, 92 cents out of every donated dollar is invested directly back into our local community. Read more about United Way’s financials
*Updated December 2020
If you’re in need of assistance, call the 2-1-1 Helpline or text your zip code to 898211. 2-1-1 Information and Referral Specialists have the community’s most extensive human service database at their fingertips. They can connect you directly to food pantries, counseling, utility assistance or other health and human services in our community.
2-1-1 is available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The call is free and confidential.
Read more about the help available
United Way of the Midlands operates the 2-1-1 Helpline call center, which provides information and referral services to the full state of Nebraska and eight counties in Iowa (Pottawattamie, Harrison, Mills, Shelby, Cass, Montgomery, Fremont and Page). UWM works alongside the Nebraska 2-1-1 Coalition to ensure this service is available to all Nebraskans. The coalition includes the State of Nebraska, the Nebraska Public Service Commission, Nebraska’s United Way organizations, University of Nebraska’s Public Policy Center, regional and county health departments and others.
Read more about 2-1-1
United Way of the Midlands works with local nonprofits to identify meaningful volunteer opportunities for a variety of interests and time commitments. Projects range from a one-time hourly project, such as painting a house or clerical work, to a continuous commitment, such as mentoring or tutoring.
Click here to browse all available volunteer opportunities
Day of Caring is an annual day of volunteerism, pairing hundreds of volunteers with dozens of project in the Omaha metro area. This special day of service was created in 2001 to promote the spirit and value of volunteerism in the Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie County area.
Click here for more information on Day of Caring
Yes! You can follow United Way on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedWayMidlands/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unitedwaymidlands/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-way-of-the-midlands
Twitter: https://twitter.com/unitedwayomaha
If you have more questions, email communitystrong@uwmidlands.org or call our main number at 402.342.8232 to be connected to a staff member who can provide an answer.
Bethany Walker
Manager, Community Impact
402.522.7957
bwalker@uwmidlands.org
Lauren Kimball
Senior Director, Community
Impact and Analytics
402.522.7920
lkimball@uwmidlands.org
Tiffany Howard
Manager, Community Impact
402.522.7952
thoward@uwmidlands.org
Christine Allen
Manager, Court Referral Community Service Program
402.522.7932
callen@uwmidlands.org
Matt Wallen
SVP, Community Impact & Analytics
402.522.7950
mwallen@uwmidlands.org
Uroosa Jawed
Grant Manager, Community Impact & Analytics
402.522.7912
ujawed@uwmidlands.org
Hannah Pollock
Executive Assistant, CIA + Finance
402.522.7954
hpollock@uwmidlands.org
Meg Blue
Director, Community Impact
402.522.7956
mblue@uwmidlands.org