The United Way Fundraising Campaign is About to Begin

It’s that time of year again when the local United Way will be visiting businesses to ask for donations. For many, this can feel cringey and weird. No one wants to feel like they are being pressured into giving money.

Thankfully, the United Way isn’t pressuring you into giving money, but they do want you to be informed about the amazing programs and services that your donations support. As a United Way Partner Agency, the PVLA hopes that you’ll consider helping out your community. It doesn’t take much to make a big difference.

Here is what the Columbus Area United Way does:

United Way fights for education, financial stability, and health of every person in every community. We are a part of the world’s largest charity but are known as a hyper local organization for Columbus area serving the counties of Boone, Colfax, Platte, and Nance.

MISSION: To focus resources to measurably improve the education, health, and financial stability of our community.

WHAT WE DO

Columbus Area United Way is a nonprofit dedicated to impacting our community in critical areas identified by the community through community-based assessments. Columbus Area United Way focuses on the three pillars of Education, Financial Stability, and Health. The Board of Directors, through a strategic initiative, identified the following areas of focus through 2024.

Education

• Kindergarten Readiness
• Improve and maintain community public schools 4-year graduation rates

Financial Stability

• Adults improve job relevant skills
• Ensure basic needs are met

Health

• Community members educated on healthier lifestyle choice
• Decrease suicide attempts of youth

In taking this approach, we have the unique ability to convene, collaborate, and direct resources where they are most needed. CAUW conducts community needs assessments, secures critical resources to fund vital social services, provides fiscal oversight and accountability for community partners, and evaluates program results to measure and communicate community impact.

We also provide local employers, employees, and other donors a cost-effective system to address community needs while allowing other local agencies and programs to concentrate more on serving and less on fundraising.

CAUW gives people a trustworthy place to donate funds, knowing that their dollars will go to meet the greatest areas of need in the community, and money raised locally stays in the community. Our local United Way has contributed more than $8.5 million in the last 10 years alone!

WHY WE DO IT

• We want to help the 42% of single mom families that are in poverty become financially stable.
• Because 16% of 10th graders report having suicidal thoughts and they need to know they are worthy and valued. Reducing risky behaviors leads to a healthy lifestyle, which leads to overall stability.
• Studies indicate if a child is behind by third grade, chances are much greater that they will not graduate from high school. CAUW focuses on having children ready for Kindergarten and on a student’s social/emotional health during their academic years to be prepared for life.

THE VALUE OF THE UNITED WAY BRAND

• We hope to see our children succeeding, our families strengthened, and our community thriving.
• United Way is ranked #1 on Forbes 2018 list of 100 largest US charities.
• The United Way brand is recognized by 85% of the public and in 95% of US workplaces.
• 78% of employees surveyed nationally want to work for a company that gives back and are proud of their employer’s support of United Way.
• We are committed to efficiency, transparency, and accountability. CAUW conducts thorough research that supports our community investments. CAUW advocates for programming that provides impact, stability, and growth for our community members. CAUW has compassionate and knowledgeable volunteer leadership from individuals just like you.
• There are a range of studies that consistently demonstrate that there is a significant relationship between volunteering and good health, in addition to the social benefits brought about by volunteering. For example, a report by United Health Group, Doing Good is Good for You: 2013 Health and Volunteering Study, found that 76% of US adults who volunteer report that volunteering has made them feel physically healthier, and 78% report that volunteering lowers their levels of stress, leading to feeling better than adults who do not volunteer.