About Us

little girl on playground

 

UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI SERVICE AREA

United Way of Central Missouri serves Camden, Cole, Maries, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Osage, Phelps, and southern Callaway Counties.

 

GET TO KNOW US EVEN BETTER

The United Way of Central Missouri is a local, volunteer-driven organization that improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community.

United Way of Central Missouri envisions a community where all individuals and families achieve their human potential through education, income stability, and healthy lives.

Integrity

We resolve to maintain the highest standards of personal and organizational honesty in all our activities.

Accountability

We are responsive to our stakeholders, at all levels, and act as good stewards of their investments of time and resources.

Responsibility

We are compelled to advocate for positive social change in the communities we serve.

Leadership

We spearhead efforts to build a better life for all and create a stronger Central Missouri.

Collaboration

We join with individuals, groups and businesses in our communities to work together toward common goals.

Inclusivity

We involve and unite the local community, knowing that respect, diversity and inclusiveness make us stronger.

Commitment

We are devoted to serving individuals and families in our communities in the most efficient and innovative manner.

Intentionality

We strive to deliver relevant services and quality outcomes through thoughtful, deliberate actions.

We began as a part-time committee of the now Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce in 1925. We split from the Chamber and became known as the Jefferson City Community Chest in the late 1920's. Nationally, the Community Chest had its beginnings in the late 1880’s when Denver businesses expressed exasperation at the difficulty in deciding which charities and agencies to support. Community Chest groups around the nation solved that problem by holding single campaigns for groups of local agencies – similar to how the United Way operates its fundraising today.

Our Pillars

HEALTH: Building Strong, Healthy Communities

We work to ensure people have access to affordable & quality care--whether someone is without health insurance, a victim or abuse, or struggling with mental illness or an addiction--so they can lead safe, healthy and rewarding lives.

SingleCare, a partner initiative furthering our mission in the health pillar, is a discount prescription drug program available to families without prescription drug coverage or those that are under-insured. Learn more here!

EDUCATION: Giving Everyone An Equal Chance at Education

We connect young people with the tools, knowledge and resources they need to succeed in school, and ultimately in life.

Our Early Childhood Initiative furthers the mission in our education pillar and ensures children birth through 5 years old receive quality early learning opportunities, aids parents in positive parenting practices, and supports strong transition programming into kindergarten. Learn more and see the Early Childhood Initiative's Conscious Discipline training schedule here!

FINANCIAL STABILITY: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty

We provide education, resources, and opportunities needed to improve lives because a better future begins with financial stability.

BASIC NEEDS: Meeting Our Neighbors' Basic Needs

We provide a safety net to support crisis and intervention services; including food, shelter, clothing and emergency/disaster services so people can live happy and healthy lives.

THE PROCESS

Every spring, community volunteers with a variety of backgrounds participate in the United Way Fund Allocation Process. Fund Allocation volunteers examine United Way partner agency operations, programs and finances and then recommend how much money should be allocated to each agency the following year. Funding recommendations are presented to the United Way Board of Directors for review and final approval. The work of volunteers ensures that donor dollars are used to achieve the greatest impact in the areas of health, education, financial stability and basic needs -- and that United Way of Central Missouri is accountable to its donors.

Volunteers are placed on one of six review panels, and each panel typically reviews 4-5 United Way partner agencies or initiatives. The volunteers dedicate 10-15 hours over five weeks from late February to the first week in April, meeting once each week. Each year, over 70 volunteers participate in the United Way Fund Allocation Process.

If you are interested in participating on a Fund Allocation panel, or have questions regarding the Online Grant Management System or the Fund Allocation process, please contact Hannah Gerard at 573-636-4100 or hannah.gerard@unitedwaycemo.org.

 

FUND ALLOCATION PANEL MEMBER/VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

Fund Allocation panel members will start meeting the week of February 24 and meet through April 4, 2025. Panel members will meet 5 times. Agency applications will be available February 10, 2025. All Fund Allocation meetings will be held at the United Way office. Panel members should allow 2 hours for each meeting.

 

AGENCY INFORMATION

Contact Information

205 Alameda Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
P: 573-636-4100 | Email: info@unitedwaycemo.org

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