Blog

September 20, 2022

To achieve our full potential as a region, inclusive workforce development and training must be available to all residents who have the desire to work hard and earn a livable wage. A workforce where everyone contributes helps to stimulate the economy and make for a thriving St. Louis region. When a group of people are […]

One hundred percent of donations will benefit the non-profit organization   Starting today and continuing through Tuesday, Oct. 4, Schnucks customers in the St. Louis metropolitan area will be able to contribute to United Way of Greater St. Louis at checkout simply by rounding up their grocery purchases to the nearest dollar. Those customers who […]

September 7, 2022

United Way of Greater St. Louis honored Mike DeCola, United Way board member and former CEO of HBM Holdings, with the 2022 Freeman-Kortkamp Award for his years of service in the St. Louis region.   DeCola has supported United Way in various ways for 18 years while lending his time and resources to several volunteer […]

August 17, 2022

Last month, the St. Louis region experienced heavy rains that led to significant flooding. Many of our neighbors were impacted and looking for help with a variety of needs, such as temporary shelter, assistance for debris removal and clean up, and access to food, water, and other basic items.   During times of disaster throughout […]

August 16, 2022

  Our Leadership Giving Societies are an important component of what we do at United Way. With over 7,000 members, our Leadership Givers are passionate, community-focused philanthropists who serve our region and develop as leaders for change. Members raise their hands to support our community through volunteerism and fundraising. They exemplify what it means to […]

July 19, 2022

In late June, United Way brought the community together through a hosted panel discussion on ways to address important issues throughout the St. Louis region.   This discussion focused on the need for our region to work together collaboratively to effectively drive impact and change in how our neighbors receive help and access resources to […]

When he looks back now, Nicholas realizes that his childhood was anything but “normal”. Like many kids, he enjoyed playing sports, especially basketball, being with his friends, and he loved speech and debate class. But, he had a single mom who was taking care of him and his five siblings and struggling to make ends […]

July 15, 2022

Grants were awarded through a gift from the Margaret and Richard Riney Family Foundation   United Way of Greater St. Louis recently awarded nine one-time community enhancement grants totaling $100,000 to local nonprofits for traditional and virtual summer programs supporting youth ages 5 – 16 through summer learning and nutrition. In total, the funding will enable […]

June 24, 2022

  Speed mentoring: a mutually beneficial connection   Individuals who have a mentor are five times more likely to be promoted than those who do not participate in a mentorship program. Twenty-five percent of those who participated in a mentoring program experienced a salary-grade change.   These are just a few examples of the positive […]

June 3, 2022

His first job was as a messenger in 1956, delivering telegrams on a bicycle for $1 an hour. Decades later, Dr. Lynn Beckwith is now one of St. Louis’ most renowned educators with a public library named after him in Frontenac. But, he says that if it weren’t for the help of United Way and […]

May 24, 2022

You got through the application and interview process, and you’re about to start a new job – an exciting, but potentially anxious time. Whether it’s your first job ever or you’re moving from one company to another, a new job gives you the opportunity to embrace new challenges and develop new skills.   Here are […]

May 4, 2022

United Way of Greater St. Louis today announced that Penny Pennington, managing partner of Edward Jones, and Rusty Keeley, CEO of Keeley Companies, will serve as chair and co-chair, respectively, of its 2022 annual community campaign. Additionally, Arica Harris, director of banking and payment operations at Edward Jones, will serve as vice chair.   This […]

April 22, 2022

The benefits of volunteering from a personal aspect are plentiful: you can be active in your community, you get to help your neighbors, and you can find personal satisfaction in knowing that you did your part in making the community a better place. For many, volunteering has helped their professional career.   Volunteer events give […]

April 21, 2022

It was during the first phase of the COVID-19 crisis that Lakeezia realized she was struggling with her finances. Her credit card debt had piled up and she knew she needed help getting back on track. That’s when she was introduced to United Way’s Access-Savings-Support-Education-Training (ASSET) Program through our partner agency, Parents as Teachers.   […]

In celebration of Global Volunteer Month and National Volunteer Week, we recognize our volunteers, their service, and the positive impact they have in neighborhoods across our region. We’ve seen thousands of people volunteer their time, talent, and resources to meet the critical needs of our community and to help our neighbors live their best possible […]

April 20, 2022

A lot has changed over a century, but volunteering remains a strong and consistent value of the St. Louis region 100 years later. This month, we’re looking back on the history of volunteering through our organization and community.   Our history of helping here United Way of Greater St. Louis was built by volunteers […]

March 14, 2022

United Way of Greater St. Louis awarded 26 nonprofits who serve Missouri and Illinois residents with emergency response grants totaling $252,400. The funding was earmarked for United Way member and non-member agencies serving people in Jefferson, Warren, Lincoln, and Franklin Counties in Missouri and Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, and Randolph Counties in Illinois.   Funding through […]

March 9, 2022

This year marks United Way of Greater St. Louis’ 100-year anniversary, and empowering women and girls across the St. Louis region is an important part of our history. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we’re taking a look at some of our partner organizations whose missions and programs are dedicated to helping women and young […]

March 7, 2022

  Sharing wisdom on International Women’s Day   In recognition of International Women’s Day on March 8, we’re celebrating women’s achievements and honoring the wisdom of women who are helping lead here in the St. Louis community.   In this spirit of allyship, we asked local women in leadership roles,   “What was the best […]

February 24, 2022

  Set Yourself Up for Success   From an early age, we have been setting goals and figuring out a way to attain them. Simply put, we desired something, and we worked to get it. Throughout our professional lives, we constantly assess what we are trying to achieve. As we go through our careers, we […]

February 23, 2022

Black History Month is a time to reflect, learn, and remember. As United Way of Greater St. Louis celebrates its 100-year anniversary, we’re taking a look back at several local trailblazers who have helped to build and shape our organization through diversity and inclusion.   Frankie Freeman was a pillar in community organization and civil […]

February 11, 2022

Good nutrition is essential to a healthy life and a longer life span. Though according to several recent studies, African Americans are at a significantly greater risk of developing diabetes in their lifetime due to poor nutrition.   In 2020, United Way of Greater St. Louis awarded Healthy Humans a grant through its Student United […]

February 11th is National 2-1-1 Day, when we celebrate and raise awareness about United Way 2-1-1, our region’s navigation center. 2-1-1 has been critical to strengthening our community by providing free, fast, and confidential assistance. It has helped our neighbors get access to things such as housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and so much more. Last […]

February 1, 2022

Keith Williamson, president of the Centene Charitable Foundation, has been named the 2022-2024 chair of the board of directors for United Way of Greater St. Louis. He succeeds Michael Moehn, executive vice president and chief financial officer at Ameren Corp. and president of Ameren Services, who held the board chair position since 2020. “United […]

December 8, 2021

The Strong Legacy of Giving Back: St. Louis Women Leaders Coming Together To Lift Up Each Other   Originally published in the St. Louis Business Journal By: Margaret McDonald, senior principal, HOK, and Susan Stith, vice president of diversity, equity, inclusion, civic affairs, and executive director of the Cigna Foundation 2021 United Way Women’s Leadership […]

November 15, 2021

What we’re grateful for in 2021   Whether it’s through donating time, treasure or other resources, we are so grateful for the many ways our community has stepped up to help us build a better St. Louis region. Our neighbors and our region face many challenges, but when we come together, we can make an […]

November 12, 2021

Your 2021 Holiday Giving Guide   At United Way, we understand that we can make an incredible impact in this community when we unite together. And with the holiday season, there’s a desire in the air to give back and help others.   Our St. Louis community completed 190 holiday volunteer opportunities, including 13 virtual […]

October 29, 2021

Leadership Givers lift one another and our community   Originally published in the Edwardsville Intelligencer. By Meghan Freeman, Director of Leadership Giving for the United Way of Greater St. Louis   Through my work with United Way, I’ve come to see that each of us as individuals can only do so much, but when we come […]

October 11, 2021

Leadership Givers raise their hands to help others   United Way’s Leadership Givers come from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and career paths. Some are new to the region and looking to get plugged into the community. Others have always called St. Louis home. Some are executives in their fields; others are launching their careers. […]

September 16, 2021

    Charmaine Chapman Society membership gives and receives   The Charmaine Chapman Society embodies the legacy of black philanthropy in the St. Louis Region. With over 600 members, it is the number one charitable program for Black leaders in the nation and provides a powerful platform to invest back into our community. In addition […]