In the fall of 2015, the United Way of Story County (UWSC) Board of Directors split into work teams to work with the community to identify priorities in Story County focusing in the areas of Education, Income, and Health. UWSC is seeking more information on how lives are being changed.

We want to see that the programs funded are making an impact in the lives of those being served. We want to know that children are reading at grade level because of the Iowa Reading Corps; that women are making better financial decisions because of the workshop series through Women with Initiative; and that individuals are staying healthier because of the preventive dental treatments they are receiving. In order to do that we need to gather information that will tell us the real differences our funded programs are making so donations can make an even bigger impact in the lives of our friends and neighbors.

The UWSC Board of Directors Education work team reviewed the work UWSC had already been involved with through the Campaign for Grade Level Reading. They put forth three results for UWSC and partner agencies to focus on: school readiness, third grade reading, and advocacy and public education.

The Income work team quickly determined that individuals and families achieving greater financial stability would become the solitary outcome that would define our work moving forward. Members of the team met with individuals from agencies and

community partners serving Story County residents with low incomes. They affirmed the Income team’s recommendation to focus on greater financial stability, in part through increased income. They also identified additional performance measures to track childcare assistance and transportation.

The Health work team reviewed the efforts UWSC had already been involved with through Story County Quality of Life Alliance’s (SCQLA) Community Health Needs

Assessment (CHNA), which is conducted every five years. The 2015 CHNA identified hunger, mental health, and healthy living as priorities for the community. Since this research had just been completed, the Health work team adopted these priorities as UWSC’s county-level results.

Setting these priorities helps UWSC and our partner agencies focus in on our goals for improving the quality of life for everyone in Story County, as well as better define the information we need to gather to evaluate the impact these programs are making in people’s lives.

As a donor, you can continue to support UWSC with the confidence that our organization is diligent about identifying the needs in the community and making the best funding decisions to meet those needs. Thank you for helping Story County LIVE UNITED!

UNITED WAYNEWSLETTER

Work Teams Identify Priorities in Story County

Inside

2016 ROI 2

$2.16 Million Campaign 3

Leadership Impact 3

Endowment FAQ 4

EDUCATION • Prevention strategies

• Outreach/advocacy services

• Access to building blocks for academic success

INCOME • Basic/emergency

needs met

• Movement toward self-sufficiency

HEALTH • Affordable/accessible

essential services

United Way of Story Countyuwstory.org

January 2017

Education44%

Income31%

Health25%

INVESTMENTS

2016 Return on InvestmentHighlights

> 2016 Campaign =

$2,165,524

> 2016 Impact =

$3,532,602

> 2016 ROI = $1.63

for every $1 donated

> More than 5,000

volunteer hours

were donated

> Conservative

estimates were used

An investment in United Way is the best way to help the most people in Story County.

The annual campaign is a great start in our collective efforts to improve the education, income and health of Story County, but did you know the value of your contribution is even greater than the dollar amount raised? Again this year, we conservatively estimated the return on your investment when you donated to the 2016 LIVE UNITED campaign. We found that for every dollar you contributed to UWSC through the annual campaign, the community actually receives a $1.63 return on your investment. Please see the graphical breakdown below.

Starting at the bottom, current year support, which includes the LIVE UNITED campaign, Endowment donations, and Golf Fore Kids fundraising resulted in our announced campaign total: $2,165,524. Some UWSC program partners use their allocations to leverage additional revenue through state, federal, or foundation grants, resulting in $888,410. And United Way’s

Women with Initiative program received a grant to expand programming, which added another $57,481 for this year. An additional $305,808 can be added through collaborations and special projects such as Grade-Level Reading initiatives and the summer programs in Ames and Nevada. Finally, UWSC and partner agencies have saved $115,379 because UWSC mobilized volunteers for the Day of Caring, summer programs, Women with Initiative mentoring, and more.

We added all those figures together, and the 2016 total impact adds up to $3,532,602. We did a little math with that number and the campaign number using a percentage change formula, and it results in a $1.63 return on investment for every $1 donated. You should feel really good about that return! We couldn’t do what we do without supportive businesses, partner agencies providing much needed services, and a very generous community.

2016$3,532,602

TOTALIMPACT

$2,165,524LIVE UNITEDCAMPAIGN

$27,772GOLF FORE KIDS

LEVE

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SSP

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L PR

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TSVO

LUNT

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UPPO

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$888,410AGENCY LEVERAGE

$1,494FOOD DRIVE $79,296SUMMER MEALS &ENRICHMENT

$70,500GRADE-LEVEL READING

$154,518COLLABORATION & LEADERSHIP

$115,379• DAY OF CARING• RSVP AT UNITED WAY• SUMMER PROGRAM• BACKPACK PROGRAM• WOMEN WITH INITIATIVE MENTORING

$57,481

WOMEN WITH INITIATIVE GRANT

UNITED WAY NEWSLETTER 3

TRADITIONAL LEADERSHIP donations of $1,000 or more have a profound impact on the mission of UWSC. In 2016, more than 400 leadership donations were received. These gifts have long been and continue to be the foundation of the annual campaign.

TOCQUEVILLE SOCIETY donations are leadership gifts of $10,000 or more. The Tocqueville Society grew from three donations in 2013 to eight donations in 2014 and 14 in 2015. Progress continued in the 2016 campaign where there were 20 Tocqueville Society donations. Together, Tocqueville Society gifts total more than $250,000.

WOMEN WITH INITIATIVE (WwI) held its fourth annual luncheon in 2016 with a program highlighting the potential affects Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can have on adult health and wellness outcomes, including the dangers of toxic stress from ongoing family economic hardship. Since it began more than eight years ago, WwI has touched the lives of hundreds of women and their families. Participants attend workshops on basic personal finance, work with trained community mentors, have the opportunity to grow their knowledge through topic-specific workshops, and can even apply for a scholarship to increase their earning power through continued education. Upon completion of the workshops, 94% of women report they have learned one or more ways they can improve the way they manage their money. This year, 50 Women with Initiative memberships ($1,000 or more), additional gifts, and grants will fund the program.

YOUNG LEADERS SOCIETY (YLS) is comprised of donors age 40 and younger contributing at least $250. In its sixth year, the 2016 kickoff was a lunch with local food trucks to bring awareness to the Wheels for Work program. Attendees enjoyed their lunch, networked with other caring professionals, and took on a mini-fundraising challenge to benefit programs that help people meet basic needs. The membership drive was similarly successful with more than 125 memberships. YLS contributions total more than $40,000.

ENDOWMENT BUILDER was introduced as a new recognition level in 2014 for those who contribute at least $1,000 annually to the Endowment. The number of Endowment Builder donations has grown each year since. In 2016 we are pleased to announce there are 19 Endowment Builders. UWSC continues to rely on annual gifts to make immediate impact and encourages Endowment donations to help plan for future needs.

Leadership ImpactUnited Way donors make a difference all day! The 2016 Campaign was one for the record books in many ways. That includes our leadership and affinity group growth. Together, these groups account for nearly 50% of the campaign and well over $1,000,000! Here’s a snapshot of each giving circle:

LEADERSHIP - 400+ giftsCampaign Chair: Yvonne KinzlerLeadership Chair: Dan CulhaneLeadership Assistant: Deb & Bill Fennelly

General Leadership Committee: Jane Acker, Scott Bauer, Gary Botine, Mary Christy, Brian Dieter, Roger Kluesner, Mike Roof, John Russell, Rick Schreier, Chris Snyder, Scott Zahnle

ISU Leadership Chair: Pete EnglinISU Leadership Committee: Joe Colletti, Mike Crum, David Holger, Laura Jolly, Cathann Kress, Sarah Nusser, Jenn Plagman-Galvin, Jamie Pollard, Sarah Rajala, Beate Schmittmann, Adam Schwartz, David Spalding, Wendy Wintersteen

BALLARD - $108,355Mike Manock, Ashley Vaughn, Marge Sheldahl, Penny Soat, Marigrace Sievers, Kaitlyn Vasey

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY - $436,193ISU Campaign Chair: Sarah RajalaISU Leadership Chair: Pete Englin

ISU Unit Volunteers: Laura Bestler, Heather Botine, Madeline Burkhardt, Joe Colletti, Jean Dubbereke, Pete Englin, Cheryl Ervin, Tara Fisher, Linda Galvin, Jess Guess, Judy Hankins, Sara Harris, Amy Harris-Tehan, Chad Higgins, Janet Lovell, Beth Miller, Hope Mitchell, Dynette Mosher, Carla Persaud, Erin Rosacker, Lisa Sebring, Nicole Shimp, Dawn Smith, Angela Strotman, Katharine Johnson Suski, Julie Tarbox, Angela Tharp, Sean Whalen, Laura Wille

MAJOR FIRMS AND COMMERCIAL - $782,394Sarah Battani, Sarah Bunge, Kathy Dubansky, Tillie Good, Joel Jacobsen, Keri Kain, Sara Lehman, Christy Lingenfelter, Lisa Packer, Randi Peters, Graig Stensland

MEDICAL - $225,455MGMC: Patti CotterMcFarland Clinic: Shelley Goecke, Joyce Johnston, Marcia Kent, Roger Kluesner

NEVADA - $121,278Jon Augustus, Vicki Barker, Mark Cahill, Sara Clausen, Wayne Clinton, Ros Dunblazier, Steve Gray, Rick Hugdahl, Carolyn and Ralph Manning, Debbie Miner, Carmi Olson, Adam Riedell, Laurie Rohlfing, Leah and Robb Schmidt, Carolyn and Ken Shaw, Renee Twedt

PROFESSIONAL - $74,668

PUBLIC SERVICE - $35,584City of Ames: Julie Brousard, Emily Burton, Rich Higgins, Rich Iverson, Katie Kole, Charlie Kuester, Corey Mellies, Bill Schmitt, Nancy Shaw, Jason TuttleGilbert Schools: Lindsey Beecher

RETIRED - $245,090Irene Beavers, Paul Brackelsberg, Barb and John Dalhoff, Joan Mirabal, Harris Seidel

ROLAND/STORY CITY - $73,785Jenny Benedict, Shannon Bryan, Brandon Geise, Carol Ann and Dave Morris, Rick Schreier, Veronica Vaughn, Daren Westercamp

YOUNG LEADERS SOCIETY - 125+ membersDamien Corrieri, Amber Deardorff, Jennifer Hanson, Nick Johnson, Michael McCool, Jenny Pollard, Melissa Rowan, Jacob Talbott, Jenni Talbott, Matt Vaughn

Bold indicates division leader

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Tocqueville Donations

315 Clark AvenueAmes, IA 50010(515) 268-5142unitedway@uwstory.orgwww.uwstory.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

GIVE TO THE FUTUREAs someone that supports United Way of Story County at the leadership level, we know you care about Ames and Story County. You live and work to make it a better place. You give, you advocate, and you volunteer. Your leadership gift is important, impacting lives and building a brighter future.

To perpetuate or “endow” your leadership gift you would make a gift of 20 times your annual gift. For example, if you wish to perpetuate a $1,000 annual leadership gift, you would make a gift of $20,000. Gifts can be immediate or deferred. Some of the ways you can make a planned gift include:

•Abequestinyourwill•AnIRAora401(k)beneficiarydesignation•Lifeinsurancebeneficiarydesignation•CharitableGiftAnnuity

You could also make a lasting impact by making a cash gift to the endowment. All sizes or donations can help ensure the needs of tomorrow are met. A special recognition for Endowment Builders exists for donors contributing $1,000 or more annually to the endowment.

UWSC has partnered with Story County Community Foundation to make giving to a permanent endowment even more rewarding. Your gift creates lasting change in the community, and the Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program offersyou generous tax incentives to make it easier for you to give more for less. Those who give to one of UWSC’s permanently

endowed funds at Story County Community Foundation are eligible to receive 25% tax credits for their gifts. UWSC has two Endow Iowa Funds – the General Endowment Fund and the Frankee Oleson Women with Initiative Endowment Fund. Once you endow a leadership gift of $1,000 or more in perpetuity, by either documenting a planned gift that would generate income or endowing through cash gifts or another charitable giving tool, you become a member in the Porch Light Society. The name of this honored group refers to the early days when UWSC, then known as the Ames Community Chest, conducted its annual campaign door-to-door. Households who wished to contribute turned on their porch lights to welcome the campaign volunteers. Today’s Porch Light Society members are: •KayandRogerBeckett•MaryandAlanChristy•JeanandMarionKresse•TeresaandJamiLarson•FrankeeandJimOleson•BeckyPerkovich•SuzanandJohnShierholz•MarianneandDavidSpalding

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 4STORY CITY, IA

Learn more about the United Way of Story County Endowment online at www.uwstory.org.