Recently I was scrolling through Facebook and saw a meme that asked, “What do you want for Christmas?” The response was, “Hmmm… lately, I’ve really been into groceries and gas. Utilities are cool, too. Stuff like that.” While this response was meant to be humorous, it does illustrate the reality that many people face every day, not just throughout the Holiday season.

United Way of Yellowstone County is more essential than ever before. Our mission is to cultivate health, education, and financial stability throughout our community and make a difference to those who are making choices every day of where to sleep, how to provide enough food for their family, or how to pay their utility bills.

This year has brought extraordinary challenges, and yet we have watched with sincere pride how our donors have continually risen to meet the moment and help care for EVERYONE in our community. We offer our sincere gratitude for your continued commitment to United Way’s mission and people.

United Way will be hosting a special holiday event at Hooligan's Sports Bar from 5–7PM to celebrate this year's successful Workplace Giving Campaign. We invite you to enjoy a night out in Billings and mingle with United Way and friends.

Monday, December 13th is Community Monday and 20% of the proceeds benefit United Way's Community Fund. Join us, grab a drink, and toast to the amazing work being done in Yellowstone County!

Thank you to everyone who donated to this year's drive! To date, 862 books were collected and will be delivered to local agencies serving kids!

Companies, groups, and individuals must register to participate in and receive detailed information about specific projects, both remote and virtual. There are opportunities to create, collect, and learn through various programs. There will be NO LIMIT to the number of participants or the number of activities a business, group, or individual may join.

Join our upcoming project, Sock It To ‘Em, a remote volunteer opportunity connected to Days of Caring 2021. New socks of all sizes are being collected to benefit a range of individuals. Learn more here!

Need help? Contact Pam Sanderson at (406) 272-8510 or psanderson@uwyellowstone.org

On November 4th, UWYC staff dedicated their time to decorating a tree for the Moss Mansion Christmas Tree Tours. Thanks to Reach Out and Read, children's books like Goldilocks and the Three Bears are on display alongside the tree for anyone to take home with them!

Shoutout to Brenda Ludwig for her unique creativity, and to Michelle Lamberson for lending her Goldilocks and the Three Bears vintage collectible set!

"Literacy programs are an integral piece of our School Readiness and School Success initiatives in Yellowstone County. We are proud of the work that Reach Out and Read does to help every child achieve their goals." –Kim Lewis, President & CEO of UWYC

United Way Worldwide was ranked the number one charity for 2021 by The Chronicle of Philanthropy and The NonProfit Times announced that United Way Worldwide is number one in public support. Locally, United Way of Yellowstone County has received the highest rating possible of the top three agencies that oversee nonprofit effectiveness and transparency:

The US Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance suggested that charities should spend 35% or less on fundraising and administration. According to our recent audited financial statements, UWYC spends only 12% on fundraising and administration.

GuideStar by Candid awarded UWYC the Platinum Seal of Transparency—the highest rating of transparency for financial details and organizational management.

Charity Navigator also awarded United Way a 4-Star Rating—the highest rating on the nation's largest and most-utilized charity evaluator. United Way has an 88% Program Expense Ratio. Charity Navigator suggested that at least 75% of budget is invested in programs and services.

Give with confidence when you give to United Way of Yellowstone County!

Thank you so much to Susie Layton for helping United Way as part of her service learning project for a class she is taking at University of Montana.

We are wholeheartedly grateful for all the time and effort that she devoted to our mission. We wish you all the best in her future endeavors!

We also want to give a huge shoutout to the amazing Employee Campaign Coordinators who went above and beyond to make 2021 Campaign sensational. Cheers to all of you!

Shout out to these donors who have invested in Yellowstone County's health, education, and financial stability efforts this month! We appreciate your support and generosity!

Does your family, service organization, social group or company want to give back to our community through volunteering? Click the picture above to view current volunteer opportunities in Yellowstone County!

psanderson@uwyellowstone.org, 406.272.8510