Agency Details:

United Way of Central Minnesota

United Way of Central Minnesota's mission is to improve people's lives by mobilizing the caring power of Central Minnesota. Our goal is to make the Central Minnesota community a better place for all of us to live and work.

Description:
United Way of Central Minnesota improves people's lives by bringing people and resources together. United Way is the best way to care for your family, friends and neighbors. When you support United Way, your gift is maximized with others, making the greatest impact on the needs of the Central Minnesota community. United Way partners with donors and community programs to identify the most pressing community needs and address them in a way that produces results you can see- changing people's lives. Many services are also provided by United Way, include: Youth as Resources (a youth leadership program), Training Opportunities Team (providing training to the community), United Way 2-1-1, Success By 6 Imagination Library and Daily Reader program and United Way Volunteer Central.

History:
United Way of Central Minnesota has a history of helping local people in need. The organization started in 1967 when it was incorporated as "United Fund: St. Cloud Area." Volunteers worked together to combine many fund drives into one. The volunteer-run United Fund supported 15 local agencies and raised $252,000. The enthusiasm of the community was encouraging to the new board of directors. The next few years were years of learning and growth. The volunteers learned how to schedule the campaign, set realistic goals and recruit volunteer leadership. They learned the importance of keeping the community informed and were excited about United Fund and its agencies. By 1971, there were 20 agencies and fund raising goals had increased to $339,000.

In 1972 a national organization, United Way of America, was formed to provide unity and help with training and communication efforts. United Fund changed its name to "United Way of St. Cloud Area" to reflect its association with this national office. The organization was becoming difficult for volunteers to manage alone, and in 1973 United Way hired its first full time Executive Director. The Executive Director was a year -round professional who could coordinate campaign organization, public awareness and the increasing number of volunteers.

Increased donations in the 1980s and 1990s enabled United Way of St. Cloud Area to meet more of the needs in Central Minnesota. In 2000, we changed our name to United Way of Central Minnesota to reflect our growing responsibility. Currently, we fund more than 50 health and human service programs. Volunteers thoroughly review our funded services on an annual basis to determine how funds should be distributed. We serve more than 40,000 local people in need annually. However, as the Central Minnesota area grows, the needs will continue to increase.

Contact people:

Mary Krippner, (phone), (email) Christine Midthun, Manager Of Partnerships & Services, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: 320-252-6213

Address:

2700 1st Street North Suite 300 St. Cloud, MN 56303 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.unitedwayhelps.org

Directions:

United Way of Central Minnesota is located in the 2700 Building. One block off Division Street to the north. You can turn off Divison Street at 27th Avenure, and the bulding is at the end of the block. Another. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: Byerly's or Mid Town Square, 5 minute walk

Last updated on September 4, 2009