Home - United Way of Dane County

The Power of Many. Working for All.

For every dollar donated through United Way, the return is more than six times in total community impact. Together, more families maximize their potential, more people provide help where it’s needed most and more generosity is unleashed for the common good.

Learn more about what United Way of Dane County is doing

Thank You to Our Generous Centennial Champions

Leading the way in fueling vital resources and inspiring others to give.
Thank you to our generous corporate partners who are supporting a matching challenge fund during our Centennial Campaign! Their investment in our Community Resource Hubs – United Way 211 and United Way Volunteer Resource Center – will further increase United Way’s ability to innovate and be a catalyst for change for the next century.

Our Mission

Unite the community to achieve measurable results that change lives.

Our Vision

United Way of Dane County will be a catalyst for inclusion and systemic change to address the needs of our community.

Sometimes an internet search doesn’t cut it. United Way 211 is here to help you navigate those tough issues. We’re available 24/7 and offer free, confidential assistance. Every day we connect people with local programs and services that can help. Find help today.

Thanks to you, We made a big impact in 2021!

We are so proud of the work we’ve been able to accomplish together over the past 100 years – but there’s still so much work to be done. This year is a special opportunity to celebrate this incredible milestone while also ensuring another century of impact and innovation for our community. Click below for ways that you can give, advocate and volunteer.

Education

The impact on local students and families participating in education programming in 2021:

1 %

saw improved parent child interaction and/or parenting knowledge
(2,043 families with children aged 0-5).

1 %

improved their social/emotional and non-cognitive skills — related to motivation, integrity and personal interaction
(1,132 students in Grades 6-8).

Income

The impact on individuals participating in income programming in 2021:

1 %

were employed at $15+/hour
(456 individuals).

1 %

maintained housing and
avoided eviction
(2,051 individuals).

Health

The impact on dane county residents participating in health programming in 2021:

1 %

completed goals in programs focused on cultural safety and responsiveness to trauma for BIPOC communities
(3,425 individuals).

1 %

saw improved health outcomes in programs that address the needs of BIPOC communities
(2,377 individuals).

Get Help

No one is immune to hard times; with United Way’s 211 you can feel confident that you are not alone in your time of need. Call or click today and get connected to the most comprehensive database of resources in Dane County.

211 Stories

211 recently received a call from a mom who had been doubled up with another family in an apartment. She and her children were asked to leave and she contacted 211. Our team connected her with a Spanish-speaking staff member and this mother and her children were quickly connected to housing resources. This is how United Way brings our community together to solve problems. In this case, a family in crisis knew to connect with the most comprehensive local services database and trusted she would be treated with respect and helped. We utilized our network of effective nonprofits to house this family, work that is made possible by our donors who make sure services - and housing inventory - are available.

211 Stories

Our 211 staff took a call from a woman who lives far away from her elderly mother and wanted to make sure she had access to food. Her mom isn’t very proactive when it comes to making meals, and the woman was worried she would go hungry since she can’t leave the house. 211 staff connected the woman with meals-on-wheels and grocery delivery options in our area, and she left the call feeling very hopeful.

211 Stories

An older adult called 211 when she found out her daughter had lost her job. 211 staff provided the caller with rental assistance resources as well as utility information. They also explained how her daughter could apply for benefits like unemployment, food share and Badgercare. At the end of the call mom said while her daughter may have found this information herself she was just so grateful to hear a human voice. She’d been alone in her home for a while and a sympathetic ear was what she really needed.

211 Stories

A 211 caller was very anxious because she lost her two jobs in the service industry. Her last day of work was on the horizon and on top of that were having a very hard time getting through to unemployment. Beyond the bills that were stacking up, this caller was most worried about the loss of insurance. 211 connected her with Covering Wisconsin–a group that can help folks connect with state or private insurance through the Marketplace. Additionally, their navigators are trained to sign people up for United Way’s Health Connect program.

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Stay in Touch

Want to be kept up to date on the impact of your support? Want to receive information about volunteer opportunities and events? Sign up for the monthly United Way of Dane County email newsletter today!