United Way of Northeastern Minnesota is no longer just a fundraising entity.
Since 2008, we have worked to adopt our own programs - while continuing to support nonprofits across our region - to help local people and communities thrive.
Bright Beginnings has been working for more than 10 years to increase local access to childcare and early childhood education opportunities.
Buddy Backpacks provides our most at-risk children (referred and enrolled by local schools) with nutritious, child-friendly, non-perishable food items each Friday or holiday break before they head home from school.
Comforts of Home helps our neighbors recovering from housing crises get back on our feet - and keeps partner stores' unsold products out of landfills. Last year, more than $123,000 worth of essential household items were distributed to families in need.
Day of Action mobilizes more than 200 volunteers for one day of community revitalization. This year's Day of Action, presented by U. S. Steel and organized in partnership with Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) and Itasca County Habitat for Humanity will take place June 13th in Nashwauk!
Imagination Library, Dolly Parton's school readiness program, delivers monthly age appropriate books to children birth to age five for FREE! UWNEMN is proud to operate this program locally; since bringing the program to our region, more 300,000 books have been put in the hands of area children!
Lunch Buddies screens, trains, and matches mentors with local elementary students identified by school staff as being in need of additional positive adult role models. There is currently one student in Keewatin awaiting a mentor - apply to be matched with them today!
Meet Up and Chow Down serves more than 10,000 free lunches to local children each summer. Summer 2025 sites are under review now. Let us know if you'd like to host (or volunteer for) a site in your community!
Smiles United is working to expand access to dental care across our region. Through this program, UWNEMN supports Children's Dental Services' mobile dental program in schools and hosts them in our building. We've also established the Northeast Minnesota Dental Task Force to work more directly with local stakeholders on this critical issue.
Step Into School unites Koochiching County businesses, first responders, volunteers, and families for a back-to-school celebration that sets students up for success. The one-day program also takes students shopping to select new school shoes at no-cost to their families.
United for Veterans was designed to address the critical need for expanded, wrap-around services throughout our rural communities. The program evolved to include a crisis fund, transitional home, regular social connectivity activities, an oral history project, and more.
Youth United Contest gives high school seniors across our service area a chance to have their voice heard - and win scholarship funding to apply towards two-year, four-year, or trade school education.
211 is a statewide service supported by United Ways across Minnesota. Donations to UWNEMN support the 24/7/365 operation of 2-1-1, through which a single call or text can provide referrals to local services that suit an individual's current unique circumstances.