Helping over 1 million individuals and families each year
United Way of Greater St. Louis (UWGSL) is set to kickoff its 2024 annual community campaign. One of the top giving campaigns in the nation, raising more than $70 million annually to help individuals and families across Missouri and Illinois through the more than 160 local nonprofits they fund.
They will look to bring together thousands of individuals, companies, unions, and foundations to help make a positive impact on the community through collective giving.
Campaign Chairs Nina Leigh Krueger, CEO of Nestle Purina Petcare, and Mike Dierberg, Chairman of First Bank, and Vice Chair SiSi Beltrán Martí, leader of philanthropy programs at Build-A-Bear and Build-A Bear Foundation, announced the launch together with Michelle Tucker, President and CEO United Way of Greater St. Louis.
“United Way really exemplifies the power of community, and the opportunity to support one another in times of need,” said Krueger. “While I’m not originally from St. Louis, I’ve called St. Louis home for almost 35 years now, and I’ve contributed to United Way of Greater St. Louis as a Purina employee for the past 30 years. I’ve seen first-hand through friends and colleagues how United Way supports the community in so many ways.”
UWGSL helps 1 in 3 people in 16 counties throughout Missouri and Illinois. They provide stable funding throughout the year to a network of more than 160 local high-performing nonprofits that address a breadth of community needs.
“I am a big fan of United Way and its impact on the St. Louis region. We should all be proud of the success United Way of Greater St. Louis has had over the years, and how generous St. Louis residents and businesses have been when giving back through the United Way,” said Dierberg. “Prior to this year, my primary involvement with United Way was like everyone else, as a donor and participant in the United Way campaign. I am honored to take a more active role this year as campaign chair.”
Over 40% of all households in the St. Louis region do not have the monthly income to meet their basic needs. UWGSL’s funding and support help with immediate basic needs such as food, shelter, and transportation as well as long-term support such as youth programming, education, job training, and counseling.
“When you choose to support United Way, you’re not picking one cause, you’re picking the community. You’re deciding to put your trust in a network of organizations who together, make our region stronger,” said Beltrán Martí. “While St. Louis is such a charitable and giving community, it is easy for some needs to be left behind or underfunded and United Way ensures that there is support for all needs and transparency of available resources, like 211.”
“This is such a special time for our United Way – this campaign is a way for the community to come together and lend their generous support so that our local neighbors will continue to be able to live here and thrive,” said Michelle D. Tucker, President and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis. “We are a part of the fabric of this community, we have been helping here for over a century and we are all better off because of it. As our community continues to unite with us, we will grow, expand and make a positive impact in the years to come.”
To donate or learn more about UWGSL go to Helpingpeople
About United Way of Greater St. Louis
United Way of Greater St. Louis unites people, resources, and funding to help build strong and equitable communities across a 16-county region in Missouri and Illinois. United Way’s impact on the community includes equipping over 160 local nonprofits with vital funding and training resources, operating the largest Volunteer Center in the region and connecting local neighbors to providers of services through its 211 Helpline. For more information, contact 314-421-0700 or visit www.HelpingPeople.org.
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