Stronger Together: A Regional Approach to Local Needs
At United Way, our mission is to unite people and resources to improve lives in our community.
But what defines a community? We know that human needs do not stop at county lines. In today’s interconnected world, many people live, work, and seek services across different areas, making regional collaboration essential.
As our community grows and our region becomes more interconnected, United Way of Olmsted County is also expanding our footprint to better serve Southeast Minnesota residents.
Expanding Our Service Area to Better Serve Our Communities
In early 2023, United Way of Olmsted County merged with United Way of Dodge County, marking the latest step in our growth as a regional leader. This wasn’t our first expansion – in 2016, United Way of Winona County dissolved, and we were assigned Winona County zip codes. Even earlier, without a local United Way in Fillmore County, we were assigned parts of Fillmore County. Today, our service area spans Olmsted, Dodge, Fillmore, and Winona Counties, reflecting our broader commitment to the region.
In 2025, we will be announcing some exciting updates, including a refreshed name and potential new service models, that will enhance our impact across Southeast Minnesota.
Our expanded service area allows us to make a more meaningful difference across county borders. With major employers like Mayo Clinic, which operates in both Olmsted and Dodge Counties and draws employees from across the region, we are better positioned to serve everyone, regardless of where they live or work. Our broader reach also strengthens our ability to collaborate with other corporate and nonprofit partners who operate regionally, such as Family Service Rochester.
In Fillmore County, for example, we recognize a gap in services—like the absence of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which provides free books to children ages 0-5. As we grow, we’re committed to listening and learning from our new communities to understand their unique needs and determine which programs would be most beneficial.
Listening, Learning, and Honoring Our Commitments
At United Way of Olmsted County, we believe in the power of listening before acting. As we expand, we are engaging in community-led learning projects across Dodge, Fillmore, and Winona Counties. These projects will help us map existing resources and identify opportunities to improve access or create new support systems. Each community has its own unique needs, and our goal is to ensure we’re not duplicating services but rather enhancing available resources.
We are also maintaining our longstanding commitments. In Dodge County, through 2025, we will continue to honor the grants and services we inherited. In Olmsted County, we are maintaining all our current services.
A Stronger, More Connected Region
Our expansion won’t diminish our work in Olmsted County. On the contrary, it will strengthen our organization and enable us to serve everyone in the region more effectively. You can continue to designate your donations to the county of your choice, whether it’s where you live, work, or feel most connected.
But ultimately, our goal is to unite the region under a shared vision: when our region thrives, we all thrive. Together, we can build a brighter future for all.