Frequently Asked Questions

We work with local individuals, companies, and agencies to develop solutions for a stronger Siouxland. We delve deep, listening to voices often unheard, to uncover the biggest needs in our community.  With the support of the Siouxland community we focus on improving educational opportunities, strengthening financial stability, and making our community healthier.   

 

By giving to United Way, you can be sure your donation is invested in data-driven programs that have strategies designed to make a measurable impact in Siouxland.  Dedicated community volunteers continuously evaluate our funded programs to ensure that program goals are met, and that your gift will make the biggest impact possible. 

Everyone in the community! United Way's holistic approach ensures that all members of the Siouxland community have access to the local programs and services necessary to thrive.  Our funding supports programs that provide quality childcare, mental health and recovery services, financial counseling, education and early literacy opportunities, and safe places for those who need temporary housing and support, along with other important services.

When you donate to United Way of Siouxland, your contribution helps support many local programs. Here's how it works:

  • Most donations are received during our annual fund-raising campaign.
  • Some of those are designated to specific agencies or goal areas and are directly applied to those programs.
  • Undesignated donations are allocated to our Community Impact grant funding process.
  • Local programs can then apply for this funding.
  • Grant applications are data-driven and detailed strategies with measurable outcomes are required.
  • Community volunteers review the applications and make funding recommendations to the United Way Board of Directors.
  • Reports are required for each funded program to ensure designated goals are met, and that donor gifts have the maximum impact.

Donations to Women United and Le Mars United Way have their own separate grant review processes.

 

 

Siouxland offers a wide variety of services and support for all members of the community. Call our office at 712-255-3551 or click here to access the "Need Help" section of our website for a list of resources.    

United Way of Siouxland works hard to keep overhead costs low, currently at 17%, which is well below the national average.

We also hold ourselves and our funded programs to high standards in other areas of performance measurement: transparency, governance, leadership, and most importantly - measurable and quantifiable results. The in-depth data required of programs who apply for funding and our continuous evaluation process ensures that your gift makes the biggest impact possible.

Members of our community make up our Board of Directors and Community Impact Teams. These dedicated, local volunteers provide oversight to the management of our organizations, as well as make decisions about how donations are invested.

  • United Way of Siouxland is a local, non-profit organization accountable to the local community..
  • United Way Worldwide is the service and training center for United Way, supporting its 1,800 independent members with services that include advertising, training, corporate relations, research, networks, and government relations. 
  • Our local United Way pays a fee for these services (one cent of every dollar raised). The United Way of Siouxland, in turn, gets four times this fee back in campaign contributions and training from United Way Worldwide. For every $1 paid to United Way Worldwide, United Way of Siouxland receives over $3.75 in the form of donations from large corporations who support United Way's work throughout their service area.  These donations are used to help support local programs and services.

No, United Way of Siouxland does not and has never funded Planned Parenthood. 

Every local United Way has their own Board of Directors and volunteers who make funding decisions, ensuring that the values of each individual community are upheld.  Out of nearly 1,200 United Ways in the United States, only a small number provide support to Planned Parenthood.