About Us

UNITED WAY OF SOUTHEAST IOWA

EST. 1924

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1924 - 1973

The Burlington Community Chest was founded in 1924 by an unofficial group of community members. Many of these members becoming memorialized: Dankwardts, Crapos, and Phelps. They officially became incorporated in 1925, and were able to collect allocations for local service organizations totaling $45,800 USD. With inflation, that’s well over $800,000 USD. 

1973 - 1995

In 1973, the Burlington Community Chest would be join the ever growing United Way community at the time. Their name would then formally change, to the Burlington Area United Way. However, as the times changed, the name would change once again to the Burlington/West Burlington Area United Way to include the communities surrounding Greater Burlington.

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1995 - 2024

Over the next several years, the Burlington/West Burlington Area United Way expanded even more. Encompassing and reaching a helping hand to its surrounding counties, having a hand in community efforts of five counties in Southeast Iowa, and at least twenty total zip-codes. And with that came a new name: United Way of Southeast Iowa.

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

STAFFING AND LOGISTICS

Currently the United Way of Southeast Iowa is directed by a volunteer 24-member Board of Directors, with a 7-member Executive Committee, 2 part-time staff, and 1 full-time staff. 

Our Executive Committee reviews all matters of this United Way, and pushes forwards recommendations to the Board of Directors. These are then voted on, where the Directors make the final decision.

We are also supported by our incredible 350 Trained Volunteers, and our 74 Allocation Volunteers.

Our goal is to be the expert on providing help with resource management and community problem-solving in the Southeast Iowa region, utilizing initiatives and collaborative projects to put your contributions where they’re needed most.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Throughout our history, United Way of Southeast Iowa has strived to assist with local health and human service agencies to better the quality of life for the area residents.

In doing so, every year we hold an annual fundraising campaign to help distribute funds to worthy programs, and help them thrive throughout the year.

We have a unique fund distribution system in place with a focus on community oriented assistance, in a process that calls on volunteers and staff to help determine community needs and assessing agencies and programs to make sure your funds go where they will do the most good.

Nearly every person in our community has utilized a service or resource that is being provided funding by United Way.

OUR AGENCIES OF 2024

Annual Campaign of 2023 88%

ANNUAL CAMPAIGN & AGENCIES OF 2025

Minimum 28.36%
Dream Goal 21.95%
Our 2024 Annual Campaign is under way to support our new and returning agencies in 2025. The above progress bars disclose our percentage towards the minimum that we are requesting, as well as our Dream Goal of $500,000 USD. A cost breakdown will be disclosed if permitted, however the website is currently under repair and redesign at the moment. We apologize for any delay in processing and disclosing information at this time. Thank you for your understanding!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

United Way is a worldwide organization, made up of nearly 1,800 community-based branches across 41 different countries and territories. Each United Way is independent from one another, seperately incorporated and governed by local volunteers. The United Way of Southeast Iowa is governed by over 25 individuals that live and work in our local community.
The United Way itself was created so contributors could have a means to pool their donations with others and obtain effective community-wide results from the money that they donated. No outside groups or agencies have any form of input or control over the finances of United Way.
At the United Way of Southeast Iowa we are focused on expanding the education of our community members, as well as providing support to resources that impact the local income and health of our community.
We support our communities generations through the children’s need of quality education, to assisting with finding employment to provide economic stability and mobility, to those in need of health services (including Mental Health).
United Way of Southeast Iowa is dedicated to supporting families and individuals in working towards becoming financially stable, emotionally supported, well-rounded folks that can contribute to our community in fantastic ways.
We’re working toward a day when every child can enter kindergarten ready for success, when every third-grader reads proficiently, when every student has what they need to reach their graduation goals, and for every individual to be prepared for success in their future career or college life.
We envision a day where every adult can find and keep a job that leads them to a financially stable position, and when every individua has the resources to live a happy, healthy, and productive life.
Our community’s challenges grow bigger and more complex each year, a task that one organization cannot solve alone. That is why, when you invest your donation with United Way of Southeast Iowa, you are investing in multiple organizations that are expected to deliver measurable results to improve the lives of children, families and individuals in the Southeast Iowa Area.
When you give to United Way, the value of your dollar multiplies, and that’s a smart investment. For every $1.00 given to United Way, $0.99 stays in our community. That often includes investment match opportunities, tax breaks and more. That’s a positive return
Of course! While we encourage you to let your donation be shared amongst our agencies, we understand that not everyone feels as enthusiastic as we do about dispersing them. As such, as an individual donor, you may designate a portion or all of your United Way donation to a specific nonprofit organization or focus area(s). This can be located on your pledge card, or you can send a message alongside your digital donation with information detailing how you’d like the funds to be allocated.
The United Way of Southeast Iowa has a board of Allocation Volunteers that are skilled and trained to review, evaluate, and recommended grantees that address important needs in our community. Then, the recommendations are brought to our Board of Directors to be given final approval.
You are always more than your income. No matter the monetary donation, big or small, it can change the outcome from reaching goal to missing it. But if you are unable to give, you can always advocate for your community. Share our social media posts and engage in community issues, fight and show us both online and offline that these things matter.
If you are willing to get your hands dirty, and able to donate your time instead, we would love to see you join our ever growing list of volunteers.
Every company has a mission statement. Supporting United Way of Southeast Iowa can truly add impact to yours.
Small Businesses. Major Corporations. Non-Profits.
Whatever the size or focus of your organization, United Way will partner with you to devlop a customized campaign that aligns with your company values and the interests of your employees. your time, energy and donations can be directly targed to specific causes and charitable organizations. Our workplace ambassadors are here to get you up and running, and assist you on your way to a winning campaign.
If you wish to start a workplace campaign at your organization, email us at: office@unitedwayseia.org

GET IN TOUCH

Whether for professional inquiries, or personal, you can reach out to the United Way of Southeast Iowa and we can assist to the best of our capabilities. This can mean either directing you to resources that will fit your needs, or providing you further information of our initiatives.

For immediate help, please refer to the following lines:

Non-Emergency Resources: 211
Crisis Line / Mental Health Emergency:
988
All Other Emergencies: 911

United Way of Southeast Iowa
218 N 3rd St, Ste 217

Burlington, IA 52601-5320

Phone:  (319)752-7831
Email:   office@unitedwayseia.org

Trying to contact someone particular on our staff team?
View more specific contact information here: About Our Leadership

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