GREATER TWIN CITIES UNITED WAY

Donor designations - gtcuw fundraising results also include contributions to united way that donors direct to specific non-profit organizations. There were donor designations to 4,808 agencies in 2024.

Economic opportunity: united way's vision | all adults enter the workforce prepared for skilled employment and increased wealth. United way meets urgent needs by supporting nonprofits doing impactful work to provide job training and entrepreneurship support, and by connecting callers to employment resources via its 211 resource helpline. United way also makes lasting change to improve systems by building educator-employer partnerships and advocating for policies that mitigate the impacts of the "benefits cliff." in 2024, united way supported 29 economic opportunity-focused organizations through community investments funding; the subset of these partners working in entrepreneurship supported the creation of 2,688 new jobs. Additionally, 2,736 people secured a job through united way-supported employment and training programs, and nearly 70 percent maintained their employment for at least a year. United way supported 11 chambers of commerce and economic development organizations through career academies' future ready workforce fund, which is focused on creating career-relevant work experiences. In 2024, 495 students earned at least $14.50 per hour through the program. At the legislature, greater twin cities united way joined other united ways of minnesota to share findings in a new report, "alice in minnesota: a study in financial hardship" elucidating the financial difficulty for more than 36 percent of minnesotans who earn more than the federal poverty line, but do not have the necessary income to cover essential costs in their area like food and housing. United for alice (asset limited, income constrained, employed) is a part of united way's ongoing efforts to address the impacts of the "benefits cliff and support the economic development of the region for individuals and families working to provide their most basic needs and build wealth for themselves and their families.united way's 211 resource helpline: united way's 211 resource helpline specialists provide information and referrals to statewide resources and services to help people meet their basic needs, including rental assistance, food programs, childcare, employment and more. In 2024, united way responded to 241,157 requests, one request every two minutes with an increase in requests for housing (up 24 percent from 2023), utilities assistance (up 23 percent), food (up 5 percent), mental health and substance use disorder services (up 53 percent) and criminal justice and legal services (up 5 percent). The data united way secures through 211 about community needs informs its investments in housing, food, education and jobs, as well as its advocacy strategies in advancing policies and state funding to support people experiencing poverty.988 suicide and crisis lifeline: in 2024, greater twin cities united way continued offering support as a minnesota-based provider of the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline. When minnesotans call 988, local, trained and caring crisis counselors answer, providing emotional support for people experiencing thoughts of suicide, substance use or other mental health crises. In 2024, united way crisis counselors answered over 33,000 calls to 988 individuals - a 37 percent increase over 2023. Business and individual partnerships: united way partners with companies and foundations to help them meet their corporate social responsibility goals and engage their employees in addressing community needs. United way also connects people who share similar passions for developing solutions together and collaborates to help individuals and families achieve their philanthropic goals while creating a meaningful legacy.