Leaders Reflect
What would philanthropic leaders have told themselves in December of 2019 that would help prepare them for what was to come in 2020 and 2021? Read more
Renée Miller
chief community impact officer, United Way of Central Iowa
Dear leaders of United Way of Central Iowa in December 2019,
As the adage goes, the only thing that is constant is change. And as an organization, and a community, we will experience a lot of change in the coming years.
Though some of the change ahead is challenging, United Way was built for times like these. Persevering through the pandemic has provided us with a great opportunity to hold a positive outlook for the future of Central Iowa. During this time, we are reminded of our strength. Central Iowa and the people who live here are incredibly special, powerful and generous. Their resilience enabled us to live out our mission, to unite the caring power of our community to improve lives. Out of it all, here are three important insights to get you through any time of crisis: Put people first, give what you can to support those in need and listen before you act.
1. Put people first.
Like many businesses, United Way prioritized the health and safety of our staff and encouraged the entire team to work remotely in March 2020. This ultimately shifted how we approached our work-from-home policy. We implemented new technology to help us continue to connect personally and professionally from remote locations. To aid in open communication, our senior leaders met more regularly to make strategic decisions on the rapidly changing needs of our community. And our leadership communicated every Friday with an email highlighting new initiatives, recent successes, important changes and personal anecdotes – giving us something to look forward to at the end of every week. During a period of social unrest, which arose separate from the pandemic, we inquired in advance whether any of our staff members of color might want to share their personal stories of discrimination and inequity at an all-staff meeting. A couple felt called to share and then a few others followed – words can’t describe the empathy, impact and awareness the experience left on our team.
We also saw the importance of putting people first through the work of 211 Iowa, a free resource and referral service. The help line, available 24/7, connects Iowans to essential support they need, including food, housing, health resources, income assistance, legal support and more. Early in the pandemic, the Iowa Department of Public Health enlisted United Way of Central Iowa’s 211 team to serve as the leader of the COVID-19 statewide hotline, networking with other 211 Iowa providers to cover all 99 counties. Within 12 hours, 211 was able to upscale staff and equipment to take on the enormous task of answering questions, listening to concerns, calming fears and delivering information with confidence, empathy and patience. A phone bank of nurses was added for a short time to answer medical-related questions, as well as a direct connection to mental health professionals. 211 also served as vaccine navigators, helping schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments for those unable to do so on their own.
2. Give what you can to support those in need.
When our community gives what they can to United Way – whether it be their voices, their time or their money – our organization has the power to bring together donors, volunteers, businesses, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, community leaders, elected officials, experts and those in need to inspire one another and transform our community.
Thanks to the contributions from donors, volunteers and incredible partnerships we have across the community, United Way of Central Iowa was able to respond to the new and urgent needs of our community nimbly and decisively.
Over the course of the pandemic, United Way of Central Iowa invested a total of $2.1 million for COVID-19 relief and committed $100,000 to the Greater Des Moines Disaster Recovery Fund we helped establish with the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. We advocated for our nonprofit community, creating a means for nonprofit leaders to share operating and program challenges directly with community, state and federal leaders. And we encouraged staff and others throughout our community to volunteer by finding an opportunity on United Way’s Central Iowa Volunteer Hub (volunteer.unitedwaydm.org), where we have a special list of opportunities helping our nonprofit partners during the pandemic. United Way continues to collaborate with partners, including the faith-based community, to provide equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine, support for those most in need during this time of crisis, and continuing our important work of improving our community for every person who calls Central Iowa home.
3. Listen before you act.
During the 12 years approaching the pandemic, United Way of Central Iowa had its sights set on achieving the Community Goals for 2020. (Results at www.communityimpactreport.org.) With the culmination of this effort ending in December 2020, United Way listened during the midst of the pandemic with surveys and remote focus groups to identify pressing needs ahead of us and launched its new strategic focus: United to Thrive (www.unitedtothrive.org).
We researched our most critical needs and gained an appreciation from others on how our work should evolve. With the guidance and direction of our community, United to Thrive heightened the focus on the disparities that create barriers to allowing every person in the community to thrive. Going forward, our work, goals and outcomes will reside within the five elements of a thriving community. They are essential needs, early childhood success, education success, economic opportunity, and health and well-being.
We look forward to continuing to work, united with our community, to move Central Iowa forward. To live better, we must Live United.
Sincerely,
Why is philanthropy important to our community?
Philanthropy is community. It brings everyone together in the interest of making where we live a better place for each of us. Philanthropy is a tangible outlet of our collective expression of humanity, where individuals share their money, strengths, talents, skills, voices and heart to lift up and lean into each other. When we share, we bond for a greater good. And it’s in the smallest acts of sharing, from a place of kindness, where we see immeasurable impact.