What is the United Way Campaign? >>
Our annual campaign helps 1 in 3 people across our St. Louis region, and it’s all thanks to the generosity of volunteers and local people like you! But first things first: who is United Way, how do we help the community, and what does running a campaign mean?
Our Mission
United Way of Greater St. Louis’ story began in 1922, and more than 100 years later our mission remains the same – helping local people live their best possible lives. We unite people, resources and funding to help build strong and equitable communities where everyone can thrive.
Who we help
Simply put, United Way is the best way to help the most people in the St. Louis region. The breadth and depth of the help provided to so many of our neighbors is incredible. Across two states and 16 counties, we invest more than $1 million per week to ensure that people can live into their possibilities each and every day.
OUR IMPACT AREAS
United Way leverages our strong network of local nonprofits to invest in programs and services that meet our community’s pressing and emerging needs. We do this by focusing on five impact areas:
Basic Needs
Basic needs aren’t so basic for some. This critical real-time support closes the gap and helps position people for a better tomorrow. In 2023, we helped over 167,000 people access immediate basic needs like stable housing and food, averting a crisis and helping them move towards stability.
Early Childhood and Youth Success
When kids are safe, nurtured, and ready to learn, they are more likely to graduate and become productive citizens. Last year, we helped 2,000 + children prepare to enter kindergarten and over 1,300 students maintained or improved their academic performance.
Jobs and Financial Mobility
If families and individuals have secure financial footing, they are less likely to require other services and more likely to succeed. Last year, we helped over 21,600 people achieve improved financial mobility and workforce advancements.
Health and Wellbeing
The social determinants of health (SDOH) represent 40% of a person’s ability to thrive. Being healthy is vital for children to grow and develop and for adults to live a full and productive life. In 2023, we helped over 28,000 individuals experience fewer mental, emotional, behavioral and health symptoms, in addition to thousands more being supported across the SDOH continuum.
Community Stability and Crisis Response
A robust, safe, and resilient community is needed to strengthen and enhance the lives of its members, affording them the necessary tools to thrive during blue skies and in times of crisis. Last year, we helped over 44,000 people prepare for or successfully recover from an emergency or disaster.
SUPPORTING A SAFETY NET OF NONPROFITS
United Way of Greater St. Louis provides stable, year-round funding to a network of more than 160 local nonprofits (see the list!) that make up our region’s safety net, fueling their services and programs that help people access resources to thrive.
Watch the video below to learn more about how a gift to United Way helps the entire community!
What is United Way's Campaign?
Each fall, United Way of Greater St. Louis runs its annual community campaign to raise support for its safety net partners and other programs and initiatives it supports across the region. In addition to the thousands of individuals who make a gift to United Way during its campaign, more than 1,100 local companies run a workplace campaign, asking their employees to make one gift to support the entire region.
Every company that runs a workplace campaign has an Employee Campaign Coordinator (ECC), a staff member or leader at the company, to help engage and educate co-workers, create excitement, and drive dollars to help reach their company’s goal.
BENEFITS OF HOSTING A WORKPLACE CAMPAIGN
- ✓ Employee engagement programs can help attract and retain employees, especially young professionals.
- ✓ Educate employees about local issues and need.
- ✓ Provide giving opportunities that employees can feel good about.
- ✓ 71% of surveyed employees say it is very important to work where culture is supportive of giving and volunteering.
- ✓ Create relationships with key community leaders.
- ✓ Offer volunteer opportunities to see your impact in the community grow.