United Way aims for record goal

By her own admission, United Way President Annette Duncan knows the nonprofit organization has its work cut out for them and then some as they head into a new year.

United Way of Steele County is aiming for a record goal of $815,000 during its 2023 campaign, which kicked off on the last night of the Steele County Free Fair Aug. 20. In 2022, United Way fell short of its $800,000 goal, ending at $778,386.

The record goal, Duncan said, is based off the increased needs of people throughout Steele County. United Way has noticed more funds are needed for affordable housing and teen health among other things.

“The board is nervous, but the reality is we need it,” Duncan said. “We don’t want to continue dipping into reserves.”

Duncan added about achieving this year’s goal: “It’s definitely going to be a stretch, but I know our community has it in them. We will need to be creative. It’s obtainable.”

As United Way heads into the new campaign year, it is rolling out something new for the organization by running a series of fundraising activities throughout the year, according to Duncan. In the past, United Way has relied strictly on donations from businesses and individual campaigns.

United Way began the fundraising effort last weekend by capitalizing on game lovers with a benefit hosted by Lucky Dice in Owatonna. The group also held a Happy Hour Campaign Kickoff at Mineral Springs Brewery.

Another fundraiser is set for Sept. 30 at the Beer Garden at the Steele County Fairgrounds.

Of the fundraising concept, Duncan said: “It's a different way of reaching people. We are getting creative with how we are engaging people in the community.”

The Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the United Way as this year’s community campaign leader. “They are well connected in the community. This is a natural partnership,” Duncan says, noting they hope to get 50% of Chamber members donating to United Way in the coming year. She added the 50% goal is a substantial increase from who is currently supporting the United Way.

United Way continues to help families who are still recovering from COVID-19, Duncan said. She noted there are more significant mental health issues, huge changes in job market and greater housing concerns. One of the biggest problems Duncan has seen is how families are forced to spend more than 50% of their income on housing.

“We continue to supplement in an environment that we have little control over,” she said. “We knew during COVID it would take several years to recover. We need to address the root causes of where we’re at.”

Over the past year United Way has experienced a 34% increase in requests from the previous year. About 24,000 people were served by the United Way over the past year, Duncan said.

“We’re asking people to give at a level that is reasonable for them,” she added.