The mission of United Way of Olmsted County is uniting people and resources to improve lives in our community.

Description:
Since 1925, the United Way of Olmsted County has been successfully uniting people and resources for the greater good of the community. Part of that success has resulted from the United Way's ability to adopt new philosophies, strategies, and practices to meet the changing needs of our community, as well as the changing expectations of our donors. In the summer of 2000, your United Way Board of Directors adopted several aims and goals for the period of 2000 to 2003. Under the aim of "Leading Positive Community Change," the Board of Directors established the following goals:
Serve as a leader in assessing and communicating community needs; Develop a fund distribution system that established fund priorities based on community needs and program outcomes/results; Promote and facilitate innovative and creative responses to emerging community needs; Build partnerships and participate in initiatives that add value to the community beyond that of individual agencies.
Since that time, United Way has engaged in thoughtful dialogue around Community Impact to develop a plan and timeline to achieve these goals. United Way of Olmsted County’s Circle of Caring Community Fund focuses on: Nurturing Children and Youth, Promoting Health, Building Skills for Self Sufficiency, and Community Basics. In each of these areas our community programs are working on creating lasting changes with clear measures of progress and a clear vision of the success.

History:
United Way of Olmsted County began as the Community Chest of Rochester, which was organized at a joint meeting of the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs at the Arthur Hotel on October 29, 1925. The first campaign raised $26,727. Funds were allocated to the Boy Scouts of America, Gamehaven Council, Civic League Day Nursery, American Red Cross, YWCA, The Salvation Army, Rochester Athletic Association and the Rochester City Band. In May of 1962, the Community Chest reorganized and changed its name to the United Fund of Greater Rochester. Its first campaign produced $68,307. Nearly ten years later, on February 15, 1972 the membership unanimously adopted the name of United Way of Olmsted County, Inc. United Way of Olmsted County has a legacy of prominence and leadership in civic affairs. Currently, over 30 participating and contract agencies are affiliated with this United Way. Beyond these relationships, the United Way provides grants for new programs to meet emerging needs, as well as grants for collaborative solutions to community-wide issues (Community Solutions Grants). Beyond fund raising and fund distribution, The United Way of Olmsted County has established a year-round presence in the community. The United Way focuses on complex, community problems that require on-going collaboration and partnerships with local businesses, governments, schools, law enforcement, and health and human service organizations. The challenge for the coming decade and beyond is to develop more systemic solutions to multi-dimensional problems facing our community.

Contact people:

Becky Nahvi, Volunteer Center/Community Impact Specialist, (phone), (email) April Sutor, VP of Community Impact, (phone), (email) Karen Erlenbusch, CEO, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (507) 287-2063

Address:

903 West Center Street Suite 100 Rochester, MN 55902 This location is handicap accessible (See a map)

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

Directions:

Nearest Bus Stop: 2nd Street SW & 11th Avenue SW, 5 minute walk

Overall Experience   
Technology impacts families in need

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