A Note from our President and CEO

August Adventures in Impact

This month’s message is a little longer than usual—but with so much exciting momentum and meaningful updates to share, I hope you’ll stick with me!

August has been an exciting and invigorating month at Heart of Missouri United Way as we officially launched our 2025 Community Campaign. The energy and engagement we’ve seen across our community have been nothing short of inspiring.

Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve accomplished together this month:

• Celebrated our 2024 Loaned Executives, who helped drive last year’s campaign success
• Trained our 2025 Employee Campaign Coordinators, preparing us for close to 100 workplace campaigns expected this year
• Recognized companies that have already launched their workplace campaigns
• Welcomed and trained our 2025 United Way Champions
• Prepared for 2025 Certification Team Training (happening tomorrow!)

Our two keynote events - the August 18^th Campaign Kickoff and the August 22^nd CEO Breakfast - brought together passionate leaders, partners, and advocates who are committed to helping every individual in our community thrive. With so much momentum, it’s easy to see why I called August both exciting and invigorating.

A Quick Reminder: Our Mission, Vision & Values

In last month’s newsletter, I introduced our renewed mission, vision, and values. As we continue to grow, I want to keep these front and center:

Our Mission:

To positively impact lives by empowering people and organizations through strategic resource investments.

Our Vision:

We envision a future where every person in our community thrives—where health, happiness, and opportunity are not privileges. In this future, our work is no longer needed, because equity, compassion, and well-being have become the foundation of daily life.

Our Values:

Accountability. Community. Compassion. Equity. Integrity.

Strategic Focus: Where We’re Growing

I’m excited to share the impact areas of our strategic plan—designed to help us lean into our strengths, address challenges, and seize opportunities for greater community impact. Each area reflects our commitment to growth, innovation, and accountability:

• Brand Strength, Awareness, and Relevance - Strengthen brand relevance by listening to the community, communicating impact, and driving engagement through consistent, proactive marketing.

• Diversified Revenue Streams - Drive sustainable growth by engaging donors year-round, activating diverse revenue streams, and amplifying fundraising through the power of community impact.

• Community Leadership - Lead with a growth mindset to inspire innovation, engage the community in co-creating solutions, and stay ahead of emerging trends.

• Strong Organizational Foundation - Build an equitable, agile, and forward-thinking culture.

• Operational Excellence & Accountability - Honor our responsibility to the community by managing resources wisely, upholding ethical standards, and fostering a culture of accountability.

This plan was developed to help us lean into what we do best, address areas for improvement, optimize community opportunities, and protect against emerging threats. These focus areas will guide our work and ensure we grow with purpose. Growth is the heart of my leadership mantra - Grow With Us - and this plan is how we’ll live it out.

A Personal Ask: Grow With Us - Financially

It’s not often that I tie my leadership mantra directly to dollars. But as we begin this campaign season, I’m making a personal ask: please consider growing with us financially.

At Heart of Missouri United Way, we turn donated dollars into strategic community investments - supporting nonprofit partners that deliver measurable impact and long-term solutions. Your gift doesn’t just help today; it multiplies, strengthening the entire ecosystem of care in our region.

Unmet needs in our community continue to rise. During our 2024 Community Impact funding cycle, for every dollar we were able to invest in grants, we received another dollar in requests that went unfunded.

In times of economic uncertainty, we expect those needs to grow. That’s why every dollar invested with United Way must be stretched for maximum benefit. Your support helps other nonprofits succeed and grow—not just today, but for the long term.

If you’re already a supporter, thank you. I invite you to consider increasing your investment this year. If you’re new to giving, now is the perfect time to join us.

Our "donate" button is at the top and bottom of this newsletter.

Closing Thought

As we look ahead, I’m reminded that real change doesn’t happen all at once - it happens when people come together, invest in one another, and commit to growing something greater than themselves. At Heart of Missouri United Way, we’re not just raising dollars - we’re building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s keep growing - together.

With gratitude,

Talia Jackson

President & CEO

Board Member Spotlight

Brittani Secundino

Brittani Secundino recently began her term as Treasurer for Heart of Missouri United Way after serving as a volunteer with the organization's Finance Committee. Her professional experience with financial operations and passion for serving non-profit organizations makes her a tremendous asset for Heart of Missouri United Way.

Brittani graduated from her hometown high school in Pleasant Hill, located south of Kansas City. After that, Brittani attended the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Arts in Accountancy. A licensed CPA, Brittani is also a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Missouri Society of CPAs.

Brittani started her professional career with the accounting firm BKD, now Forvis Mazars, in the Kansas City area. She spent her first two years providing external audits to clients across a variety of industries and quickly realized her passion for serving non-profits. Coupled with a desire to have more hands-on impact, Brittani transitioned into a consulting role focused on financial advisory services for non-profits. Now a Managing Consultant with the firm, Brittani gets to match her finance and accounting expertise with her passion for service by helping non-profits worry less about their financial management and focus more on their missions. Outside of work, Brittani has a passion for nature and conservation, and volunteers with the Missouri Master Naturalist Boone's Lick Chapter sponsored by MU Extension.

As Treasurer, Brittani serves on the Heart of Missouri United Way Executive Committee and Chairs the Finance Committee. She also serves on the Community Impact Committee.

Help Decide How We Invest in Financial Stability for our Community

Make a Real Impact in Your Community; Join the Financial Stability Impact Advisory Council

The Heart of Missouri United Way is now accepting applications for our Financial Stability Impact Advisory Council - a volunteer opportunity to help guide how local funds are invested in programs that improve financial stability for individuals and families.

This is a short-term, flexible commitment from October to November. Most activities are virtual and self-paced, with just a few scheduled meetings. You’ll review proposals, hear from nonprofits, and help make funding recommendations that shape real change.

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds—your lived experience, professional insight, or academic knowledge can help ensure our decisions are equitable and community-centered. Click on the link below or visit us at uwheartmo.org for more information!

Questions?

📧 Courtney Simmons – csimmons@uwheartmo.org

📧 Krista Myer – kmyer@uwheartmo.org

Agency Spotlight

MISSION: We, the Board of Directors and Staff of Mid-Missouri Legal Services Corporation, are committed to achieving full access to justice in civil matters for central Missourians, including men, women, children, domestic violence survivors, disabled, blind, elderly, rural, urban, of all ethnic backgrounds, lineage, and religious beliefs, who cannot afford to hire an attorney, by providing free legal services ranging from advice and brief services to extended representation in court and administrative hearings.

VISION: To ensure that lack of personal finances, remoteness of location, and the encumbrances of poverty do not preclude anyone from their right to have redress of serious legal matters.

UNITED WAY SUPPORT: Mid-Missouri Legal Services receives Financial Stability Grant investments to support the Financial Stability Project which provides free legal education regarding consumer rights, employment, and expungements in addition to free legal representation for low-income people in order to help them preserve their income and achieve financial stability for their household. Mid-Missouri Legal Services also receives Health and Basic Needs Grant investments in support of the Housing Law Project to expand access to justice despite the encumbrances of poverty and prevent homelessness by providing free civil legal assistance to low-income families facing potential eviction, substandard living conditions, and unlawful actions by landlords. This project also provides legal information, advice, negotiation without litigation, extended representation in court and administrative hearing cases, outreach, and community education, to increase awareness. 

Register Now:

Free Quarterly ASPIRES Session

to Focus on Growing Social Media Efforts

Non-profit organizations seeking to improve their presence and impact on social media should sign up now for the next free quarterly ASPIRES session to be held on September 17th. The session topic will be "How to Create More Likes and Followers" and is designed to help nonprofit leaders use social media to build meaningful relationships, inspire engagement, and create lasting impact.

Date: September 17, 2025

Time: 9:00–10:30 AM

Location: TBD (Columbia, MO)

Who Should Attend: Executive directors and nonprofit staff involved in marketing/outreach

Open to: Any local nonprofit organization

Spots fill quickly - secure yours today! Click below to learn more and register.

Call 2-1-1 for Local Community Resources

Heart of Missouri United Way works collaboratively with other United Way organizations across Missouri to provide local community connection services for those in need across our state. The 211 community resource connection service provides those in need with a centralized contact point to identify local resources that may be able to provide assistance.

Should you, a loved one, or someone you know ever be in need of support, please dial 2-1-1 anytime or send a text to 1-800-427-4626 between 9am and 5pm Monday through Friday to be connected with a trained specialist that may be of assistance. You may also access an online directory of services at www.211helps.org.



Heart of Missouri United Way invests in programs at nonprofit organizations in the impact areas of health and basic needs, education, and financial stability. Our investments reach individuals and families in Boone, Cooper, and Howard Counties.

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