Raised here, stays here.

Our 2022-23 campaign theme is Raised Here, Stays Here.  It’s important for our community to know that the funding we work all year to raise in this community stays in the upper Ohio Valley.  Last year our theme had the same message with “Give Where you Live” encouraging community members to contribute donations of time and resources to this community that they call home.

Our local United Way is proud to be a part of United Way World Wide, but because that holds a national title, it was important for us to communicate that the funding stays local and does not go to a national organization.  We do pay a 1% dues to United Way World Wide which allows us to use the name, branding, marketing tools, training, fellowship, and partnership with other UWs around the country.  Locally, we collaborate with the UWs of West Virginia and recently attended a conference with UWs in Ohio.  We learn so much from our sister UWs and are pleased to be a part of such a reputable organization.  While the dues we pay is more than worth the value we receive, it should be noted that the cost goes into our administrative expenses.  That cost is covered from the interest from our endowment and investment accounts.  That means that when you or your company makes a donation to the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley, it goes to the campaign and the allocations we provide to wonderful, important programs in this community.

The United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley has 21 agency partners and supports 30 programs in this community.  We work to raise awareness and funding for those programs.  We also focus heavily on advocacy for nonprofit giving and volunteerism across the counties we serve – Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel, and Tyler counties in West Virginia and Belmont County Ohio.  Additionally, our Community Impact Grant team led by Tina Morris provides grant writing consultation and marketing to many additional wonderful nonprofit organizations.  We also are proud to have Melynda Sampson leading our 211 division.  211 is a United Way program and a social services hotline that connects community members with needed financial and social services.  Led by a strong board of directors, passionate committees, and dedicated volunteers, we plan to have a great campaign season.

We are excited to launch our Raised Here, Stays Here theme for our 2022-23 campaign and would love for you to be a part of it.  Our focus is to ensure that company and individual donations are going to needed issues and make lasting change.  The nonprofit community in the Ohio Valley is strong with difference-makers.  We would love to talk to you about how you can support them.