United Way Celebrates Nonprofit Partnerships
Earlier this month, United Way of the Midlands (UWM) held a luncheon to celebrate the work of our funded agency partners representing the best of our community. This event took place at the Mastercraft Living Room and included great food and time for agency CEOs and UWM staff to network and catch up with one another.
Together with these agencies, we’re able to address social and economic disparities and meet community members’ essential needs. It’s this Circle of Support that allows us to help our neighbors overcome difficult challenges – such as the pandemic and rising inflation – and start building a brighter future for themselves and their families.
A Legacy of Giving Back
As UWM approaches 100 years of supporting our neighbors and giving back, we are extremely grateful for these agencies that are helping us serve so many individuals – some of them for decades.
The Community Chest
In 1923, local citizens and community leaders banded together to create United Way of the Midlands’ prototype, The Community Chest. We were, and still are, dedicated to responding to the community’s needs, by investing dollars in local health and human service programs that make the most impact. In our first year, funds were allocated among 30 participating nonprofit agencies in Douglas County.
The Red Feather: Pride in Partnership
Omaha was one of the few communities to pioneer a national model for a single organization dedicated to all facets of nonprofit fundraising and program investment…and the organization started calling ourselves United Community Services. The Red Feather became a symbol of the annual campaign and a symbol of the partnership between nonprofits and United Way.
Looking Forward
Our world is becoming more complex every day, and we find that some barriers continue to persist – even as new challenges emerge. To keep moving forward, we strive to meet these moments with perseverance, innovative solutions and a deep passion for every corner of our community. Together, we build awareness of and address community needs, united by a single mission:
United Way began when extraordinary local citizens banded together for a common cause, and thanks to our agency partners, our important work continues today. We’ve continued to evolve and have great pride in showcasing the programs that are part of this movement to continue building and strengthening our community.
See images from the agency luncheon below:
As we work to address needs as they emerge, we are also celebrating 100 years of United Way serving the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro. Throughout the upcoming year, we will host fun activities in neighborhoods across the metro, as well as a special concert and celebration on the new Gene Leahy Mall in May 2023.
The Circle of Support
UMW invests in more than 150 local nonprofit programs alongside thousands of other donors. Together, we will provide more than four million services that will address social and economic disparities in the areas of basic needs, education and financial stability throughout our community.