United Way of Story County is making progress on the 2025 Community Impact Goals set in 2020 in its three service areas:
- Health: Improve community health by serving 4,500 more people.
- Education: Decrease the achievement gap by reaching 30% more underserved learners.
- Financial stability: Strengthen financial stability among residents by increasing the number of people served by 25%.
Pledges during the fall 2023 campaign, which opened last month, will support the agency's continued progress.
As the largest employer in the United Way of Story County service area, Iowa State University's fundraising goal is $400,000. Divisions, colleges and auxiliary units have targets that contribute to the overall goal, and every Friday during the campaign those contribution totals get an update. Payment on pledges made this fall begins in January.
Kristin Pates, resource development director for United Way of Story County, said the university is more than halfway to its goal, with $225,895 pledged as of Thursday morning.
"We are so grateful for university employees' support of the campaign," she said. "Your gifts make such a difference in our work and in our community."
How to pledge
Participation in the United Way campaign is optional. Employees who want to pay their gift through payroll deduction may make their pledge in Workday (follow the link in the announcements section). Those who prefer to pay with a credit card may make their pledge on the United Way of Story County website.
Both formats offer one-time payment and installment options. University employees who live outside of Story County have the option to designate their gift to their local United Way office or nonprofit service agency. All pledges are requested by Friday, Oct. 27.
College of Engineering dean Sam Easterling is chairing the 2023 campus campaign, and Library dean Hilary Seo is chairing the leadership gifts team. Another 21 employee volunteers are supporting the fundraising efforts in their local units.
