Waterloo, IA – It’s campaign season once again, and Cedar Valley United Way would like to remind you that YOU have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those in your community. Through giving to Cedar Valley United Way’s 2021 campaign, you can join us in helping to improve the health, education, and financial stability of all residents in the Cedar Valley.
Cedar Valley United Way officially kicked off the campaign season at our annual Rally for the Valley event on September 1. Since then, our campaign team has been out and about at various organizations in our community.
We invite you to ask your employer if your place of business holds a United Way workplace campaign. This allows you the opportunity to designate payroll deductions that are given directly to Cedar Valley United Way or designated to the nonprofit organization of your choosing. If your employer does not participate in a workplace campaign, you can participate in our campaign through online giving or by filling out a pledge form at www.cedarvalleyunitedway.org/give.
Where does my money go?
In 2020, Cedar Valley United Way invested over $1.6 million in programs that change the lives of people in our community. That’s 61 programs at 36 organizations (www.cedarvalleyunitedway.org/community-impact). These programs are here working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year... and we're seeing results from these investments.
Thanks to you, kids are stronger readers and heading toward success in school. Income constrained families are receiving quality childcare while parents focus on work or school. And, with your help, local leaders are developing a path to improve the state of mental health and related services in our area.
If I can’t afford to give much, will a small donation do any good?
Every gift gives hope and improves lives. Even a modest gift per pay period can help provide solutions to the most pressing health and human services in our community. It's not the size of one gift - it is all of us giving together that makes United Way a unique and powerful concept. Every donation matters!
Why should I give to United Way? Why not just give directly to an agency?
Charitable giving is a personal and voluntary decision and Cedar Valley United Way encourages you to do what is most comfortable to you. A gift to Cedar Valley United Way is an investment that benefits the entire community, not just one program, issue, or population.
There are many valuable non-profit organizations in the area that you may care about. Cedar Valley United Way provides an opportunity for your one gift to support a variety of local needs. If everyone designated their gifts to their favorite agency, many services to those in need would not be available to the community. Through one gift to Cedar Valley United Way, you can accomplish so much good!
You can also be assured that your gift to Cedar Valley United Way goes directly to fund programs that help people most in need. Cedar Valley United Way conducts periodic needs assessments to ensure donor dollars are addressing the most pressing community needs. We also monitor funded programs and initiatives annually to make sure they are efficiently and effectively improving people's lives and making a positive impact.
Finally, contributing through Cedar Valley United Way guarantees agencies funds they can rely on every month rather than depending on sporadic contributions.
What is the easiest way to contribute?
Payroll deduction is by far the most convenient method of contribution. You can participate in this form of giving through workplace campaigns at your place of business or through filling out a pledge form at www.cedarvalleyunitedway.org/give. A small amount is taken from your paycheck per payday, allowing you to make a small contribution each week than can make a big difference in the course of a year.
However, you can also give to Cedar Valley United Way with cash, check, or credit card. You may make a donation online at www.cedarvalleyunitedway.org/give or send a check or stop in to our office at 425 Cedar Street, Suite 300, Waterloo, Iowa 50701.
Thank you to our generous Cedar Valley Community for helping improve lives one person, one family, one community at a time. United We Can.