Thanks to the generosity and caring spirit of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro, United Way of the Midlands (UWM) is excited to announce it raised $30.1 million through campaigns and programs during the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2024. This vital funding allows UWM to invest in more than 130 local programs with 80 unique metro-area nonprofits, as well as direct services like 211 and JAG Nebraska – creating a broad circle of supports and a safety net of essential services for our community.
“We are grateful for the leadership, generosity and caring spirit of so many in our community,” said Shawna Forsberg, UWM president and CEO. “With their support and belief in what we do, we can continue addressing the ever-changing needs of the metro area.”
The year’s campaign effort was led by 2023 Campaign Chairs Rob and Stacie Reed and the team at Physicians Mutual. Thanks to their passionate leadership, UWM surpassed Mr. Warren Buffett’s Tocqueville Society Challenge – reaching 406 members and increasing his generous match of UWM’s campaign. Additional support was provided thanks to nearly 30,000 individual donors, 884 corporate partners, family foundations, government partners, the UWM Board of Directors and the Top 100 UWM campaigns for the last fiscal year.
With the recent release of its new three-year Strategic Plan, developed in collaboration with the Executive Board Committee, UWM reinforced its commitment to efficient and effective stewardship and collaboration to bring people together to drive change and foster a thriving community. The full body of UWM’s work includes traditional investments through the Community Impact Fund (CIF), providing support to local programs serving the needs of our neighbors – and also through direct services such as the 211 Contact Center, JAG Nebraska, the Court Referral Community Service Program (CRCSP) and Goodfellows.
Through partnerships, investments and programs, UWM has the goal of providing 10 million services to address social and economic disparities across our community – all focused in four key areas:
The 211 Contact Center is a one-stop source of information for people in need of assistance. It serves as a point of contact and referral source for thousands of health and human service programs, disaster services and more. In the last fiscal year, 211 received nearly 275,000 contacts – and data collected from 211 contacts provides insight into the experiences of individuals seeking support – reinforcing our commitment to remove barriers to service and help people more efficiently access resources nearest them. As 211 continues to grow, it now serves as an Aging and Disability Resource Center and collaborates with many partners on important programs such as Save Our Seniors, Help Me Grow Nebraska, Unite Nebraska and the Military and Family Helpline with Offutt Air Force Base.
JAG Nebraska is a for-credit, classroom elective available in middle and high schools that equips students with essential life skills, career development and leadership training to excel both academically and in their future careers. Since its start in 2019 through a partnership with the State of Nebraska’s Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services, and with the current support of Commissioner John Albin and Governor Jim Pillen, the program is continuing to grow – expanding from three schools at its beginning to 82 programs across Nebraska for the upcoming school year. JAG Nebraska’s capacity now reaches 4,000 students annually, and last year the program boasted a 99% graduation rate. Plus, for the 2023-24 school year, the program facilitated more than 400 employer visits – exposing students to diverse career pathways and fostering a pipeline of confident, skilled workers for the state of Nebraska.
As a trusted vehicle for investment, UWM’s discernment process ensures dollars are directed where they are needed most. Community members review applications and help make funding recommendations, with 125 volunteers participating in the last year to ensure we have a thriving network of health and human services available in the metro. Each volunteer brought with them a specific area of expertise and lived experience, uplifting the voice of the community throughout the process.
With the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro having one of the highest percentages of working poor in the country and families facing unprecedented challenges that threaten their stability and well-being – like rising housing costs, food insecurity and access to affordable childcare – it’s more important than ever for UWM to focus efforts and reaffirm our commitment to agile and responsive solutions across our community.
In addition to its traditional investments, UWM created the Nebraska and Iowa Tornado Relief Fund (NITRF) in response to the April tornadoes that displaced thousands of people in Nebraska and Iowa. The fund has raised $1,415,000 thanks to the generosity and compassion of corporate and individual donors – with 100% of every donation being directed to those in need of assistance. For more information about the NITRF, go to UnitedWayMidlands.org/TornadoReliefInvestments.
UWM was also excited to move to a new location in the Millwork Commons area earlier this year. The move provides additional space to support programs like JAG Nebraska and 211, while continuing the important work we do. And, it was all possible thanks to WP Engine who is subletting the space to UWM at a reduced rate, as well as many other partners – including Google who sponsored a new training room that can be used by local nonprofits for meetings, trainings and events.
United Way of the Midlands is proud to leverage its unique position in the community to serve as a convener, collaborator and information aggregator. To step into these roles, 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.
“With our current investments going out to help the community, we are already hard at work on the next campaign with our 2024-25 Campaign Chairs, Randy and Candace Wood with Lindsay Corporation,” said Forsberg. “By working together to create a thriving, resilient community – we can build a stronger tomorrow for our neighbors in need and their families for generations to come.”
UWM will kick off its 2024-25 campaign on Wednesday, September 4, at Creighton University. To get involved in next year’s campaign through volunteerism or a donation, go to UnitedWayMidlands.org. And for a full list of UWM’s investments and more information, go to UnitedWayMidlands.org/CommunityInvestments.