United Way of Story County is pleased to share its 2030 Community Impact Agenda, a bold roadmap designed to address critical local needs and improve lives across the county.
Shaped by data and informed by community voices, the 2030 Community Impact Agenda sets clear goals in three priority areas: Bright Futures, Financial Empowerment, and Collective Well-Being. Together, these goals will help close gaps in key areas such as third grade reading proficiency, access to affordable and quality childcare, homelessness prevention and housing navigation, financial education and coaching, access to basic needs, and mental health support.
UNITED IS THE WAY
IMPACT AREAS
United Way of Story County creates lasting change through three key impact areas—Bright Futures, Financial Empowerment, and Collective Well-Being—ensuring children succeed, families build stability, and our community thrives together.
GOAL: Deliver 12,500 high-quality early childhood education opportunities annually
When every child has the chance to learn, grow, and thrive from the very beginning, it creates a ripple effect of opportunity that strengthens families and builds a brighter future for our whole community.
UWSC is taking a strategic, multi-prong approach to increasing early childhood opportunities for children across the county. By partnering with local childcare agencies to expand access through sliding scale fee spots, ensuring more families can afford quality care. We are continuing to invest in and expand the Iowa Reading Corps program to help children achieve grade-level reading proficiency, while supporting other out-of-school learning programs throughout the year. In addition, we’re providing early childhood and parent training experiences so families are better prepared for kindergarten, setting children on a strong path for lifelong success.
GOAL: Invest in tools to build long-term financial stability for 1,000 households annually
When families have the tools and resources to manage their finances, access child care, and maintain stable housing, they can focus on building brighter futures and contributing to a stronger community for everyone.
To help 1,000 households build long-term stability each year, UWSC is investing in tools and programs that strengthen financial security. This includes partnering with local child care agencies to provide sliding scale fee spots, expanding the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and financial education opportunities, continuing the Wheels for Work program, establishing financial coaching, and supporting services that prevent homelessness and connect families to safe housing.
Goal: Meet basic needs while fostering 15,000 meaningful connections
When people’s basic needs are met and they feel connected to others, they are healthier, stronger, and better able to thrive—creating a more caring and resilient community for all.
At UWSC, we believe collective well-being starts with both meeting basic needs and creating meaningful connections. That’s why we’re investing in mental health supports, expanding volunteer opportunities that foster belonging, promoting the 211 hotline to connect people with help, and partnering with local agencies to provide food and clothing for those who need it most.
WHY IT MATTERS
Behind every statistic is a neighbor, a family, a story. These challenges are just a few that many in our community face.
