A Note from our President and CEO

United Is the Way

One of the things I love most about United Way is that our name isn't just who we are. It's how we work.

Across the United Way network, you'll often hear the phrase "United is the Way." At Heart of Missouri United Way, we're seeing that come to life every day. Whether it's donors investing in our campaign, volunteers serving local students, organizations preparing for disasters, or community members helping guide funding decisions, the common thread is people choosing to work together to strengthen our community.

As I look through this month's updates, I see a powerful reminder that the strongest communities are built when people come together around a common purpose.

United is more than a tagline. It's the way we create lasting change.

This month, we celebrated organizations that have spent decades setting the pace for workplace giving in our community. Through the commitment of our Pacesetter organizations and more than 1,500 generous donors, we have raised $2.27 million toward our $2.8 million campaign goal. Every gift matters, but what truly inspires me is what those gifts represent: hundreds of people choosing to invest in a stronger future together.

I see that same spirit in our literacy work. Women United volunteers recently gathered to pack hundreds of Read Across Columbia literacy kits, and our team has already begun delivering them to students across Columbia Public Schools. By the end of the fall, 652 CPS students will receive resources that encourage reading and learning at home. That impact is only possible because volunteers, donors, schools, and community partners are working together toward the same goal.

We're also seeing new opportunities to strengthen our community through collaboration. This month, we convened our first Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) meeting in partnership with the Boone County Office of Emergency Management. While we all hope disasters never occur, preparedness requires relationships and coordination long before a crisis happens. Bringing organizations together now helps ensure our community is ready when it matters most.

At the same time, members of our new Health & Basic Needs Advisory Council volunteers have begun training and preparation to help guide future funding decisions. Their voices, perspectives, and lived experiences will help ensure our investments reflect the needs and priorities of the communities we serve.

Each of these efforts may look different on the surface, but they share something important in common. None of them happen because of a single organization or individual. They happen because people choose to show up, contribute their talents, share their voice, and work alongside one another.

That is what "United is the Way" looks like.



Thank you for being part of this work and for continuing to grow with us as we build a stronger Heart of Missouri together.

Talia

President & CEO

Growing Together: Campaign Momentum Continues

Because of your generosity, our community campaign is making remarkable progress toward an ambitious goal. To date, Heart of Missouri United Way has raised $2,268,209 toward our $2.8 million campaign goal, bringing us one step closer to strengthening the programs and services that help our neighbors thrive.

One of the most encouraging signs of this year's campaign has been the growth in leadership giving. We're proud to welcome 80 new Leadership Circle donors who have chosen to invest $1,000 or more annually in building a stronger community. Their commitment demonstrates the power of local philanthropy and the impact that happens when people choose to lead by example.

We're also grateful for the dedication of our workplace campaigns and corporate partners. So far, 28 Pacesetter organizations have collectively raised more than $1.6 million, helping to set the pace for another successful campaign season and inspiring others to get involved.

Every dollar raised represents someone who believes in the work we do together. Whether you've given through your workplace, made an individual gift, volunteered your time, or helped spread the word, thank you. Your support is helping create opportunities for children, families, and individuals across our community.

While we've accomplished a great deal, our work isn't finished. The campaign continues through December 31, 2026, and every gift helps us move closer to our goal.



If you've been considering making a contribution, there's still time to join us. Together, we can ensure that more people have access to the resources and support they need to succeed. Find the donate below and give today!

Celebrating Our 2026 Champions

As October comes to a close, we celebrate the contributions of our 2026 Campaign Champions, whose dedication helped strengthen this year's United Way campaign and deepen connections across our community.

We extend our sincere thanks to Lorraine Gustavis, Community Volunteer; Trevor Burge from Commerce Bank; and Brady Lademann from Shelter Insurance for the time, energy, and enthusiasm they brought to Heart of Missouri United Way. Throughout their service, they served as ambassadors for our mission, helping advance the campaign while building meaningful relationships throughout the community.

We are also grateful to Commerce Bank and Shelter Insurance for investing in their employees' service and partnering with HMUW through the Campaign Champion program.



To Lorraine, Trevor, and Brady: thank you for your leadership, your commitment, and the lasting impact you've made on this year's campaign and our community.

Read Across Columbia Delivers First Literacy Packs of the Fall

Heart of Missouri United Way recently kicked off the fall season of Read Across Columbia by delivering literacy packs to 140 1st and 2nd grade students at Parkade Elementary School.

Each student received a literacy pack containing four age-appropriate books to add to their home library, along with a coupon from Daniel Boone Regional Library for an additional free book. During the visit, HMUW President and CEO Talia Jackson had the opportunity to read Earl & Worm: Bad Ideas and Other Stories with students and celebrate the excitement that comes with discovering new books.

By the end of the fall semester, more than 650 first and second grade students across five Columbia Public Schools elementary schools will receive literacy packs through the Read Across Columbia program.

Schools selected by Columbia Public Schools for Read Across Columbia typically serve the district's most diverse student populations and those with the highest free and reduced lunch rates. The program is designed to increase access to books beyond the classroom and help students build personal libraries at home.

According to Jayme Pingrey, Media Specialists District Coordinator for Columbia Public Schools, access to literacy materials outside of school plays an important role in student success.

"While CPS libraries and librarians champion access to information and a wide range of materials that are representative of all people in our community, studies have consistently shown that students who have more literacy materials in their homes demonstrate higher average reading proficiency," Pingrey said. "Columbia Public Schools is so grateful to the United Way for helping our students build personal libraries to be shared and cherished with their families. Building a culture of literacy is a team effort, and we couldn't do it without the United Way's support."

Read Across Columbia is made possible through a network of community partners committed to helping local children succeed. Heart of Missouri United Way is grateful to Skylark Bookshop and The Peace Nook for partnering with us to source the books included in each literacy pack and to Daniel Boone Regional Library for providing students with the opportunity to select an additional free book for their home libraries.

By placing books directly into students' hands, Read Across Columbia helps strengthen literacy skills, encourages family engagement, and fosters a lifelong love of reading. Together, our donors, schools, volunteers, and community partners are helping ensure more children have access to the resources they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Women United Makes an Impact

This fall, members of Heart of Missouri Women United came together to support one of our community's most beloved literacy initiatives, Read Across Columbia.

Thanks to the dedication of Women United members and volunteers, 925 backpacks were filled with more than 3,700 books that will be distributed to first and second grade students across our communities. These books will help spark a love of reading and put more children on a path toward future success.

Heart of Missouri Women United is a community of women and allies who are passionate about making a difference. Through collective giving, learning, advocacy, and action, members work together to create meaningful local impact.

The recent Read Across Columbia backpack project is just one example of what can happen when people unite around a common purpose. Whether through hands-on volunteer opportunities, community education, or philanthropic leadership, Women United members help strengthen our region and expand opportunities for local children and families.

We believe that when women unite around a shared vision, we can help build a stronger, more thriving community for everyone.



Interested in learning more about Women United? We'd love to connect with you and share how you can be part of this dynamic group of community changemakers.  Follow us on Facebook or reach out to Heart of Missouri United Way for information about joining.

Building Connections Before They're Needed

When a disaster strikes, communities don't have the luxury of building relationships from scratch. The strongest responses happen when organizations already know one another, understand their roles, and have a plan for working together.

That's why Heart of Missouri United Way is proud to partner with the Boone County Office of Emergency Management to launch a Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) network for Boone County.

Last month, representatives from nonprofit organizations, government agencies, faith communities, and other community partners came together for our first COAD meeting. The goal is simple: strengthen coordination and communication before a disaster or crisis occurs so that our community is better prepared to respond when help is needed most.

Whether facing severe weather, public health emergencies, or other crises, no single organization can meet every need alone. By bringing diverse partners to the table, this network creates opportunities to share resources, identify gaps, and build the relationships that make coordinated response possible.

While we hope these plans are never needed, preparedness is one of the most impactful ways we can support our community. Taking time now to connect, collaborate, and learn from one another helps ensure that when challenges arise, Boone County is ready to respond together.



We are grateful to all of the organizations that participated in our inaugural meeting and look forward to welcoming even more voices as this effort continues to grow. Our next COAD meeting is scheduled for January 15, and organizations interested in joining this network are encouraged to reach out. Every voice counts, and every partnership strengthens our community's resilience.

ASPIRES Program - Free 4th Quarter Class

The ASPIRES Program is more than workshops and assessments; it's an investment in strengthening the capacity of local nonprofits so they can better serve our community today and into the future. We're proud to lead this meaningful, behind-the-scenes work that helps organizations thrive, deepen their impact, and strengthen the nonprofit sector across our region.

As we close out the 2026 program year, we want to highlight and celebrate the incredible work of our nonprofit partners and collaborative learning community, while also reminding nonprofit professionals to register for our final FREE Quarterly Nonprofit Class of the year.

Free Quarterly Nonprofit Class: November 18

Topic: How to Build a Culture of Appreciation for Under $100

Date: November 18, 2026

Time: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Additional Information: Snacks and refreshments provided

There's still time to register for the final FREE Quarterly Nonprofit Class of 2026.

Staff retention and morale don't always require large budgets. This class explores practical, low-cost strategies to communicate value, reinforce organizational culture, and strengthen team engagement. Participants will learn how to build meaningful recognition systems and foster appreciation in ways that align with their mission and values.

Health and Basic Needs Advisory Council Kicks Off - Shoutout to Our Wonderful Volunteers

As Heart of Missouri United Way's Health & Basic Needs Sustainable Impact Grant application process moves forward, a dedicated group of community volunteers is beginning the important work of reviewing funding requests and making investment recommendations that will help shape the future of our region.

This year, nine Advisory Council members will collectively contribute an estimated 1,395 volunteer hours to the review process. Their commitment demonstrates the care, diligence, and responsibility required to help guide investments made possible through the generosity of our community.

Advisory Council members are expected to review 21 program proposals, participating in a comprehensive process that includes orientation and training, reviewing written applications, viewing proposal presentation videos, attending virtual question-and-answer sessions with applicants, and engaging in thoughtful discussion before making funding recommendations.

Every dollar invested through Heart of Missouri United Way represents the trust placed in us by donors, volunteers, and community partners. Advisory Council members serve as stewards of those resources by learning about local needs, evaluating nonprofit solutions, and weighing difficult funding decisions with fairness, curiosity, and respect for diverse perspectives.

Funding requests consistently exceed available resources, making this work both challenging and essential. The thoughtful recommendations made by Advisory Council members will help determine how community resources are invested and influence opportunities for individuals and families throughout our region.



We are grateful to these volunteers for the time, expertise, and dedication they bring to this important process. Their service helps ensure that community investments create meaningful and sustainable impact where they are needed most.

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 brings people, resources, and partners together to create lasting, measurable change across Boone, Cooper, and Howard counties. Guided by our mission to positively impact lives by empowering people and organizations through strategic resource investments, we mobilize community action to advance Community Resiliency, Healthy Community, Financial Security, and Youth Opportunity. Through strategic investments, community partnerships, volunteer engagement, and initiatives that connect people to critical resources, Heart of Missouri United Way helps build a stronger, more resilient Heart of Missouri.

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