Our Work

United Way of Kaw Valley brings together people, companies and nonprofits to create positive sustainable change in our community. We work to solve issues no single donor, charity or government agency can handle alone. By focusing on Education, Income and Health, we help more children graduate and get stable jobs, help families become financially stable and improve the overall health of our community.

For more than 80 years, United Way has been improving and changing lives in Greater Topeka and Douglas County. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed and we believe in the potential of every human being. Since 1980, United Way has invested $110 million into the community.

Education, Income and Health are the building blocks of a quality life. To help ensure that everyone in our community benefits from these building blocks, community volunteers helped us establish our community impact goals. To achieve these goals United Way collaborates with many partners. In most cases, we provide funding and expertise to help our partners directly perform the work. This enables them to focus more on sustainable change and less on the fundraising needed to enable the work to continue.

We invite all agencies who are working within our five goal areas to join us and help create positive change for our community.

Community Impact Goals

  • Education
  • Health
  • Financial Stability
  • Racial Equity

Success in these initiatives isn’t possible until someone’s basic needs, including shelter, rent and utilities, food, health assistance/prescriptions, and safety from domestic violence, are met. We provide some direct assistance in this area though Women United and have a number of partners committed to help people in need. 2-1-1 is a great resource for anyone looking to obtain assistance.

During the holidays, United Way’s Christmas Bureau connects thousands of individuals in need of a Christmas miracle with generous individuals and families willing to lend some Christmas cheer. LEARN MORE!