COMMUNITY OUTREACH SUCCESS

2020 was a year full of challenges. However, thanks to your generosity and support, we remained strong in pursuit of our mission to fight to improve lives in our community. For 75 years, we have had the privilege of serving mid-Missouri and this was the most unconventional year we have ever seen. Yet, in the midst of all the uncertainty of the last year, our community came together in support of Heart of Missouri United Way. In a true display of selflessness and compassion our community lived UNITED in the face of adversity. We are grateful for all the support from individual donors, volunteers, and community partners.

Last year was all about adapting, changing and growing. In March of 2020, we announced our commitment to help our neighbors impacted by the pandemic.  We honored our commitment to fight to improve lives in our community by investing $365,030.50 to local non-profits providing emergency relief and long-term recovery assistance to the most vulnerable within our community.

Despite the additional challenges associated with the pandemic, we remained dedicated to our three Impact areas, Health, Education and Financial Stability.  Grant awards and reporting were extended by six months, allowing partner agencies to focus on what they do best: serve the needs of their program participants. For some organizations, this meant completely re-thinking how they deliver services and even shifting services based on emergent needs.

Health: In November of 2020, we announced a $1,000,000 commitment to invest in the health and basic needs of those most vulnerable in our community for the next three years. 

Education: We remained committed to fund programs increasing school readiness, literacy, and academic success for the most vulnerable children in our community.

Financial Stability: We continued to support programs improving financial stability and economic mobility of individuals and families who are financially vulnerable.  

Equity: In 2020, we also launched the Equity Challenge a 7-week email series designed to raise awareness of racism and how it manifests in our day to day lives. More than 1,100 people, including members of our community, the state and across the nation have completed the Equity Challenge receiving the tools needed to be leaders in the fight for equity.

United Way staff also began hosting community Equity Dialogues.

Recognizing our Community Impact investments are not able to meet all the needs in our community, we established the Equity Fund and began laying the groundwork to form an BIPOC led Equity Advisory Council.   The Equity Fund and Equity Advisory Council will actively work to remove systemic barriers and promote inclusivity.

As we celebrate 75 years of serving Boone, Cooper, and Howard counties, we can’t thank you enough for your support of our mission to improve lives in our community. Join the fight against inequity. We live better when we LIVE UNITED.

Sincerely,

Mike and Rockie Alden
2021 Community Campaign Chairs

Andrew Grabau
President & CEO
Heart of Missouri United Way

In 2023, Heart of Missouri United Way continued funding services strengthening the financial stability and economic mobility of financially vulnerable individuals and families. United Way addresses the community’s financial stability needs by investing in programs demonstrating the following client and/or community outcomes: gains in skills and/or credentials needed for employment and/or increased wages, gain and sustain employment and/or increase income, increase disposable income by increasing financial literacy and/or reducing costs and/or accessing benefits. United Way’s current investment in Financial Stability began in July of 2023 and will continue through December of 2026.

The Financial Stability Impact Investment Portfolio includes programs at 8 organizations:

City of Refuge, Job Point, Love Columbia, Mid-Missouri Legal Services, Rock the Community, Services for Independent Living, United Community Builders, Central Missouri Community Action