Small Business, Big Impact
SMALL BUSINESS, BIG IMPACT
United Way of Southeast Iowa’s Small Business, Big Impact (SBBI) program is a leadership circle of local business owners dedicated to serving the community where we all live, work, and play.
Small businesses play a critical role in maintaining a thriving local economy, and their partnership is equally critical to the success of United Way, as we fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our community.
“Small Business, Big Impact”, referred to as SBBI, focuses on connecting small business owners who understand we can find sustaining solutions to our community’s toughest challenges through partnerships and efficient mobilization of resources: time, talent, and treasure.
Becoming a member is a stepping stone in your business’s philanthropic journey — A chance to make a real difference in the community. To join, small businesses are asked to contribute $50 USD or more to our Community Impact Fund.
BENEFITS OF JOINING SBBI
Public Recognition
While we understand that some wish to remain anonymous, those that join the SBBI program will receive recognition on our Annual Report during all of our events as well as throughout the year. This also includes sharing a highlight on our Social Media when you join the SBBI program, and every time that you re-up your commitment.
Website Logo Display
You might notice the display of logo above, these are the members that give and continue to support the United Way of Southeast Iowa. As a small token of appreciation, we will showcase your logo here on our website for other SBBI members to see. Connect, communicate, and build on this small business community here in Southeast Iowa.
Free Window Cling
We have specialized window clings that we have created for you to display at your business. Not only will this showcase to other businesses where you stand in the community, but also shows individuals coming into your establishment that this business supports the greater good that United Way strives to incorporate into not only Burlington (where are office is located) but also across twenty different zipcodes.
WHERE DO DONATIONS GO?
Your donations go directly to our Community Impact Fund.
This fund is utilized throughout the year to not only help with our Annual Fundraiser when we fall short, thus often saving our agencies from losing funding, but also allows us to continue to fund leading programs throughout the area. With thirteen agencies, and funding needed for over forty different programs, it is imperative that we continue to build this fund to help ensure not only our own stability, but our kid’s stability as well. These programs break down the systematic barriers, close educational gaps, provide necessary services for the homeless, provide informative resources to our other non-profits in this community. We want to support the United Way Worldwide goal of boosting our Education, Health, and Financial Stability in this area. But we also recognize, the worry.
We have a strict allocation process that ensures all donations are used appropriately. You can rest assured that your donation will go towards services that explicitely help the community that you reside in. While for the last hundred years we have operated in Burlington and West Burlington, we want to extend our hands in kind to neighboring towns. If you have an hesitance, or want your donation to go to a specific program, we implore you to reach out. Either via our Facebook, Email, or Phone.
WHAT IS THE "ROI" OF GIVING TO UNITED WAY?
ROI or Return on Investment is often utilized to determine whether a risk is worth the effort on behalf of the company.
As a business owner, we know that you want to see what your money provides. And while privacy law is in effect to protect many of the individuals that we serve here in Southeast Iowa, we also want to make it clear. The donation, no matter how big or small, means more to someone that you may realize. Here are just a few statistics, that help give you an idea of where your money is going.
At $1.00 USD per week, you are providing a family of five or more with a monthly food box for four months.
At $2.00 USD per week, you are providing ten blankets to homeless individuals in our community.
At $5.00 USD per week, you have guaranteed safe travel for seventeen people to get to their job or to interviews.
At $10.00 USD per week, you have provided a single mother with the money to support her children for a month in our shelter system.
At $20.00 USD per week, you saved someone from a domestic abuse or violence situation through relocation efforts.
We have structured our funds to ensure 98% of donations are kept within the community, with the remaining 2% being held for our quarterly membership dues to United Way Worldwide and various program costs.
