Impact - United Way of the Midlands

Your impact

with your support, UWM and our partners will deliver

15 million services

in the next year

Your strategic partner for local impact

through direct services or strategic community investments, your support fosters resilient and thriving communities.

United Way of the Midlands connects a trusted network of organizations and resources to deliver meaningful results for our community. Through a review process involving more than 120 community volunteers, we invest in local nonprofit programs that address the issues people care about most.

As community needs evolve, UWM is also increasingly called upon to fill gaps through innovative partnerships and direct services that connect people to help when and where they need it. Through this combination of investments and direct services, we make your giving go further.

Align giving with the areas of greatest need
Support hundreds of impactful programs with one strategic gift
Connect a range of services at a scale no program could reach alone
Empower community voice in decision making
Endorse quality programs so they can secure even more support

community impact fund

The Community Impact Fund (CIF) is our traditional process of investing contributions from donors into metro-area community programs. Through the Community Impact Fund, one donation can be invested in dozens of organizations at once —and they can then use funds flexibly and where they are needed most. Teams of community volunteers review applications and direct funds to programs making the most significant impact in the community, while also addressing the highest needs in our area. This creates a circle of support and strengthens the health and human services network across the metro.

Every hour of every day, someone in our region is facing a challenge and needs support. The 211 Helpline connects people looking for assistance to essential resources including housing, food, healthcare, financial support and mental health services. Available 24/7, 365 days a year, trained specialists provide confidential guidance – ensuring people get the help they need, when they need it. From crisis assistance to disaster response, 211 is part of our community’s critical infrastructure of support.

Through a partnership with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, the Warmline is a single point of
contact for families to receive early access to community-based services that help prevent deeper system involvement and reduce family stress.

The ADRC provides support for seniors, persons with disabilities, their families and caregivers with information, assistance and education on community and long-term services.

In collaboration with Douglas County and the court system, the CRCSP and Offender Work Program connects participants with community service opportunities verifies completed
service hours, and reports completion to probation officers and the courts.

In partnership with Offutt Air Force Base and the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the MFH embeds a navigator
on base to connect veterans, service members and their families to community and base resources.

The program empowers Nebraskans aged 60+ in
overcoming hardships caused by abuse, neglect and/or financial exploitation by offering strengths-based, trauma-informed and person-centered services and referrals – allowing seniors to remain independent.

UWM is proud to partner with OPPD and the Nebraska
Department of Environment and Energy to provide free
weatherization services for eligible Douglas County
households. The program helps lower utility costs while
improving comfort, health and safety at home.
Through insulation, air sealing and home safety assessments,
trained crews help create healthier, more energy-efficient living
environments. United Way’s 211 Helpline helps residents apply.

United Way of the Midlands is proud to partner with the Omaha World-Herald to administer the Goodfellows program that offers assistance to those who find themselves in crisis and need a helping hand. Through 211 and community partners, Goodfellows provides emergency support and holiday food vouchers to help people move forward.

Without a home, everything else falls apart. The United Housing
Network (UHN) helps families stay housed, stay stable and stay
on track by combining flexible financial assistance with rapid
connections to local support.

JAG Nebraska is for-credit, classroom elective available in middle and high schools thatequips students with essential life skills, career development and leadership training to excel both academically and in their future careers.

Through a partnership with the State of Nebraska Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services, and with the current support of Governor Jim Pillen, the program is preparing to equip more than 5,500 students across the state for the 2026-2027 school year.

Created through a legacy gift from Ellen C. Karnett and administered by United Way of the Midlands, the Karnett Trust supports children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community.

Volunteers review applications and make multi-year funding
recommendations for programs in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro.

By partnering with OPPD on the Greener Together
Program, United Way of the Midlands is helping build
a stronger, more sustainable future. Together, we’re
investing in projects that support local nonprofits—helping them build capacity, improve efficiency and deliver
services in more sustainable ways.

UWM partners with local school districts and raises funds
for the purchase and assembly of Shine Bright hygiene
kits for kindergarten, sixth- and ninth-grade students. The
kits are then distributed to students in the Omaha, Council
Bluffs and Papillion La Vista school districts – as well as
JAG Nebraska students across the state. Each Shine Bright
kit contains the full-size essential hygiene items kids
need to feel prepared, confident and ready to learn.

Every child deserves to come to school feeling confident, cared for and readyto learn. Unfortunately, during the harsh winter months, many local students across the Omaha metro face the cold without essential winter gear such as hats and gloves – impacting their health, learning and overall confidence.

In partnership with Omaha Public Schools, this program will help students access essential winter clothing so they’re ready to face the cold weather and stay warm all winter long.

Since 1941, the relationship between United Way of the Midlands and the Omaha Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO) has been built upon a mutual desire to create a better, stronger and more resilient community. Through this partnership, we host the annual Blue Collar Boxing event that benefits the Nebraska Center for Workforce Development and Education (NCWDE) and UWM’s Community Impact Fund.