Collective Well-Being

We believe collective well-being starts with feeling supported, connected, and cared for.

Our Goal for 2030

Strong communities are built when people feel connected and cared for. Our Collective Well-Being work makes sure everyone has safe places, healthy food, and chances to be part of something bigger. When people feel supported and included, our community becomes safer, healthier, and full of opportunity for all.

United Way of Story County is committed to meeting basic needs while fostering 15,000 meaningful connections by 2030 through investments in:

Nutrition
Housing
Mental health
Volunteerism

Well-Being By The Numbers

volunteer throughout Story County

volunteer hours logged in children's programs

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of k-8 students served reported feeling a sense of belonging

0 %

Creating Collective Well-Being in Story County

We believe collective well-being starts with feeling supported, connected, and cared for. By working with local partners, we help make sure people have access to essentials like food, housing, and mental health resources. When everyone’s basic needs are met and people feel a sense of belonging, our whole community becomes stronger and more resilient.

NOTE: Data from 2023 or most recent year available. While these indicators are not the only ways to assess financial education in our community, these are data points that illustrate that there is a need in our goal area.

Local need

In Story County, more than 18,500 people live below the poverty line, making it difficult to afford life’s basic needs like food, housing, transportation, and health care:

19% of people experience severe housing challenges (overcrowding, high housing costs, lack of kitchen facilities and/or plumbing)
31% of students receive Free or Reduced Price Lunch
30% of people are determined to be food insecure
51% of households spend 30% or more of income on rent/mortgage

Response

Invest in programs and resources that help people meet basic needs including:

Nutrition and access to healthy food options
Housing security
211 helpline

Impact

These strategic investments deliver tangible outcomes for people living in Story County:

1,802 households received financial assistance to relive housing cost burden and prevent homelessness
61,190 people served through food pantries and emergency good vouchers
1,029 individuals participated in healthy food access/nutrition programs
724,740 meals served annually through partner agency programs and services

Creating Collective Well-Being in Story County

211 Helpline

Frankee dedicated her career to community service, transitioning from education to non-profit leadership. As President and CEO of the United Way of Story County from 2000 to 2010, she championed philanthropy by addressing community issues, supporting education, and consistently exceeding annual campaign fundraising goals.