Tax Heroes on the ready!

January 2018


Trent Deckard joined United Way in January as the Resource Development Director.

Welcome to Trent Deckard!

Join us in welcoming Trent Deckard as United Way's Resource Development Director. Deckard will lead donor relations and fundraising to support United Way's focus of helping people learn more, earn more, and lead safer and healthier lives.

"Joining the staff of United Way of Monroe County is a tremendous opportunity to make a difference. I'm absolutely thrilled to assist our dynamic staff and member agencies at making a real impact in the area." Trent enjoys spending time with his daughters, wife Kyla Cox Deckard, and a comic collection he's been gathering since childhood.

Read more >>>


File your taxes for free! Choose either online filing or face-to-face personal service.

Free Community Tax Service Opens

"This year the Free Community Tax Service is back and bigger than ever, with ten full service sites!"

Community Initiatives Director Amy Leyenbeck and her team of Tax Heroes have been hard at work preparing for the tax season.

"By adding two new full-service sites we're expanding capacity to help our community keep more of their earnings, get back the refunds and tax credits they deserve, and build their assets and savings," said Leyenbeck.

If you earn under $66,000 and want to file for free from the comfort of your own home - you can!

"The online option, MyFreeTaxes.com, has been updated to make it even easier to use. We encourage more people to take advantage of this free, convenient, and safe option to file taxes online."

Locations, hours, and full info at monroeunitedway.org/FreeTaxes.


Your donation has a broad reaching impact throughout our local region.

United We Win: Campaign Highlights

Did you know that 98% of your donation stays right here in our community? United Way fights for the education, earnings opportunity, and essential needs of everyone in our community.

Thanks to these organizations and their commitment to helping our community win:

	Raymond James employees have increased their giving exponentially this year to a total of $5,880, a 20% increase.
	Ivy Tech employees generously donated $2,100 to better impact their community members.
	Great West Casualty is working to ensure a bright future for our community with a donation of $6,066 from employees.

Interested in holding a fundraising campaign or having a United Way representative give a presentation to your group? Contact us at [email protected] today!


Thanks to Printpack for their commitment to our community throughout the year!

Campaign Spotlight: Printpack

"Personally, I have been witness to the tremendous impact that various agencies have had for individuals and families here in Monroe County and I know how challenging it can be to provide services with limited resources." Charlene Perez, HR Manager and Campaign Coordinator at Printpack shared with us about how her organization gets involved with the community.

"Printpack has a long tradition of supporting United Way. One component of our foundational Statement of Philosophy is a commitment to help improve the quality of life in every community in which we operate. All of our locations participate in the annual campaign but locally, we look for ways to do more."


Mrs. Mary Waldron, the first Director of the Council of Social Agencies, was known for her unselfish devotion to the public welfare. Photo courtesy of the Monroe County History Center

It started in 1906...

In 1906, a group of philanthropic Bloomington citizens led by Mrs. Mary Waldron came together to collectively solve community issues. They formed the Council of Social Agencies, which years later became United Way of Monroe County. This group sought to promote community welfare through cooperation and partnerships among local organizations.

As we celebrate the bicentennials of the City of Bloomington and Monroe County in 2018, United Way is reflecting on our own history in the community. Throughout the year, each newsletter will feature a memory about United Way's long history in Monroe County.

Do you have a United Way memory to share? We'd enjoy hearing from you at [email protected].

Learn more about United Way's history at monroeunitedway.org/history.


Earlier this month our director, Efrat Feferman, and fellow incoming Hoosier United Way directors met with our U.S. Senators to discuss ways we can work together to build stronger communities through public policy.

Give. ADVOCATE. Volunteer.

At United Way, we believe that meaningful solutions to issues are achieved when quality programs combine with advocacy work that is non-partisan, research-based, and most importantly, collaborative across sectors and stakeholders.

Decisions made in Washington, D.C. or Indianapolis have a direct impact on the lives of those in Monroe, Owen, and Greene Counties, and our role as community advocates and conveners is to engage in discussions with legislators and decision-makers, providing honest, neutral information as to what we see and hear at the ground level. Our representatives welcome this constructive dialogue, and we appreciate the opportunity for conversation.

On a national level, United Way's advocacy agenda comprehensively promotes education, income, and health issues. Locally, these topics align with our priorities. Read more >>

N ext month, we'll report on state level advocacy work, so stay tuned!


Nominate an outstanding volunteer by February 2nd!

Be More Awards

Do you know an outstanding volunteer or volunteer group who deserves to be recognized? Honor them as a 2018 Be More Award nominee!

Nominations are being accepted now through February 2, 2018. Click here to nominate online.

Ten volunteers in a variety of categories will be given Be More Awards and $500 for their volunteer organization.

United Way is proud to partner with the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network and other local organizations to celebrate local volunteers.

And be sure to save the date to join the Be More Awards Celebration event on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.

Join the conversation

United Way of Monroe County is a nonprofit organization that improves people's lives by addressing critical needs today and working to reduce those needs tomorrow. Through our Community Action Fund, Priority Funds, and grant initiatives, we work with 25 member agencies and other community partners to focus resources on the building blocks for a better life: education, earnings, and the essentials.

441 S. College Ave, Bloomington, IN 47403 | (812) 334-8370

[email protected]