Wishing you warmth and hope this holiday season
From all of us to all of you – we wish you warmth and hope this holiday season.
There’s still time to support United Way’s fall fundraising drive! Give now and make a big difference in the lives of people in our community.
Just as it takes millions of snowflakes of all different sizes to create a beautiful snowscape...so it takes many gifts, both large and small, to make an impact on a community like ours. Please do what you can this year and take this opportunity to help. You’ll be part of a greater effort than any one of us can make alone by providing critical support for people who need it most this winter. Donate here.
There is so much good we can do when we all act together this holiday season! Every gift, regardless of size, makes an impact. Please be generous!
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$208,000 Awarded in COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund Phase 4 Grants
The United Way of Monroe County COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund announced Phase 4 grants totaling $208,000 to 25 human service organizations providing critical programs serving people in south-central Indiana. With support from the COVID-19 Fund, these organizations will continue to provide life-changing services to members of our community affected by the pandemic.
With the addition of the Phase 4 grants, the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund has granted nearly $1.6 million to 46 human service organizations in Greene, Monroe, and Owen counties and regional community foundations to support priority needs during the pandemic.
"Going into the winter months is always challenging for older adults and homebound individuals. This year is exponentially more challenging. For the 500 individuals in Monroe and Owen counties we provide home-delivered meals and Mobile Food Pantry services, Area 10 really wanted to offer a bit of extra food security for these months ahead and are so thankful to the United Way for funding five shelf-stable meal packs for each person. A little security goes a long way!”
-Chris Myers, Executive Director of Area 10 Agency on Aging
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Thank you to Reimagine 2020 Champions!
The fall fundraising drive is in full swing! To date, the campaign has raised a total of $650,000!
This year’s fundraising drive shines a spotlight on issues that have hidden in the shadows for far too long. United Way invites the community to help create a future that works well for everyone through its Reimagine 2020 fundraising drive. With nearly 50% of the Monroe County families experiencing outright poverty or hovering just above the poverty line, and with the economic challenges from the pandemic facing many in our area, experts predict that family and individual needs will continue to rise in the months and years ahead.
Join with United Way in recognizing these Reimagine 2020 Champions who have raised funds toward a Reimagined future that works for all:
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IU Credit Union raised $39,043 through a combination of generous employee giving and a corporate gift to create a more equitable community.
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The team at BKD contributed a total of $7,551 this year, an 11% increase over last year, to help bring community resources together to solve issues.
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You can be a Reimagine 2020 Champion, too!
There is still time to donate to this year’s fall fundraising drive where your gift will be put to immediate use. Let us reintroduce you to the family featured in our fall fundraising materials.
Bella and James were surviving before the pandemic, but just barely. They each worked long shifts but still lived paycheck-to-paycheck, struggling to support themselves and their two children.
When the pandemic hit, Bella contracted COVID-19 and was out of work for a month. Because Bella's parents were high risk, she and James stopped asking them to watch the kids. It wasn't long before James' workplace closed. They filed for unemployment, quickly falling behind on rent and utilities.
Thanks to contributions from people like you, James and Bella were able to connect with United Way and find services to help with rental assistance, legal advice, childcare, and food.
Your gift this year will help Reimagine a more resilient and equitable future for families like this one. Every gift of every size makes an impact and helps build the foundation for a better future. Please consider what is right for your situation and give today at www.monroeunitedway.org/givenow.
Your gift has never been more important for the critical work ahead!
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Donate $20.20 to United Way for the #2020Challenge
Love a challenge? Invite your personal “crew” to take this $20.20 challenge with you!
Help Reimagine a new future by taking the $20.20 Challenge and ring in the new year with other friends and neighbors. Can’t get together with others this year like you want? Do this instead: Donate $20.20 by December 31, 2020, and then ask 20 of your family and friends to do the same! Name your group, and you’ll receive a shout-out on social media to salute your crew’s generosity. Together, you’ll help make a better future for those who need it most, post-pandemic.
Already given to Reimagine 2020 this fall? Please consider digging just a little deeper – four cups of coffee deeper – and help make up the difference for those who aren’t able to give this year. Take the #2020Challenge by donating online at: www.monroeunitedway.org/givenow.
Share your holiday generosity experience together while we social distance this year!! Just note #2020Challenge in the “Designation” box along with your crew name. Or text Reimagine2020 to 41444 to donate. Thank you!
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Be a Tax Hero! Volunteer with the Free Community Tax Service
Do you miss volunteering? Mask up and join us to help prepare tax returns for your friends and neighbors for free!
In previous years, Tax Heroes have filed more than 2,800 federal and state tax returns & brought back more than $2.9 million to our community. Join our Free Community Tax Service volunteer team today. IRS certification and training provided - no experience needed.
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On Thursday, Dec. 10, Wake Up! with United Way "Representing Workers During a Pandemic"
Tune in virtually on Thursday, December 10 at 8 a.m. to join the discussion "Representing Workers During a Pandemic." The panel will explore topics including union membership, workers' safety, the CARES Act, unemployment insurance, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, and mental health for workers during COVID-19.
Guest speakers will include Linda Gales, Executive Vice President of the IU Unit of Communications Workers of America, Local 4818; Neil Gath, Attorney specializing in labor law at Social Security Disability and Workers Compensation; Joseph Varga, Professor in the Department of Labor Studies at the IU School of Social Work; and Brett Voorhies, President of Indiana AFL-CIO.
The event is free, but reserve your spot via Eventbrite before the event to receive the access link to join.
Wake Up! with United Way is a collaborative project of United Way of Monroe County and IU’s Political and Civic Engagement Program, with thanks to The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce and the Bloomington Board of Realtors for series support, and panel support from NALC Branch 828 and Southern Indiana Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO.
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"On the Rise: Mental Health and Young Adults" explored at November Wake Up with United Way!
“It’s very clear that the levels of stress people are going through is a whole new level of stress than it has been in the past.”
Mark Fraley, Associate Director of Indiana University Political and Civic Engagement program, offered this thought on his students’ mental health when moderating this month’s Wake Up! with United Way discussion. Early on Thursday, November 12, community members connected virtually to discuss, “On the Rise: Mental Health and Young Adults.” Read the recap, watch the video, and find resources here.
Thanks to guest speakers Daisy Anspach, MA, LCSW, Counselor at Indiana University Division of Student Affairs; O’Connell Case, LSCW, Clinical Director of Catholic Charities Bloomington; and Cara Reader, Ph.D., Director of Student Success and Retention at Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington.
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Richland Bean-Blossom Schools receives mini-grants to help support classrooms
Teachers at Richland Bean-Blossom Schools recently got a boost to help improve teaching styles in the era of COVID-19. $3,000 was awarded to 8 classroom projects as part of a new United Way Education Mini-Grants pilot program. The grants seek to support teachers in the smaller school districts outside of Bloomington for special projects not normally covered in their school budget.
For this first round of funding, a variety of project areas and grade levels spanning preschool through eleventh grade received awards including:
- Gamifying classrooms with video production tools and online platform memberships
- Accessible outdoor equipment for preschool children of all abilities to use
- Expanded options for engaging classroom literature, including science novels and leveled chapter books
- Hands on STEM materials
- Interactive online materials like creative web apps and virtual reality
In the next round of funding, teachers at Spencer-Owen Community Schools and Eastern Greene Schools will be invited to apply for mini-grants.
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Smart Giving in 2020: Making a Holiday Gift to United Way from your IRA
You can make a charitable contribution through your Roth IRA or traditional IRA to United Way of Monroe County and help move the community from COVID Relief to Recovery and Rebuilding.
If you’re 70.5 or older, there may be some added tax benefits when making your “Qualified Charitable Distribution” (QCD) from your IRA. This could be a smart choice for you this year. At age 70.5 or older, donating funds from your account directly to United Way of Monroe County does not count as income, thus fulfilling your required minimum distribution while bypassing your gross income. In many cases, that surpasses the benefits of making a standard charitable contribution.
Other potential advantages:
- Your gift allows you to support United Way’s expanded work for COVID Relief and Recovery and is put to immediate use.
- Your gift minimizes your tax obligation at the federal and state level.
- Your gift may keep you in a lower tax bracket.
To learn more about contributing to United Way through your IRA and more information about year-end giving, click here.
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Upcoming Events:
Virtual Wake Up! with United Way "Representing Workers During a Pandemic"
Thursday, December 10, 8 - 9 a.m.
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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 and grant initiatives, we work with 24 member agencies and other community partners to ensure families have opportunities and everyone can meet basic living needs. |
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United Way of Monroe County
431 S College Ave
Bloomington, IN 47403
812-334-8370 // info@monroeunitedway.org
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