UNITED WAY OF WALWORTH COUNTY
Lake Geneva, WI
Website | Phone: (262) 374-4474
Mission - With one donation, you can reach over 40 Walworth County nonprofit agencies. The mission of United Way of Walworth County is to unite communities, increase and focus resources, and inspire people to measurably improve citizens’ lives throughout Walworth County. This mission is achieved by fundraising and supporting local nonprofit agencies focusing on three building blocks for a strong community: health; education; and financial stability. Approximately $250,000 is divided among more than 40 vetted nonprofits each year. United Way also brings programs to Walworth County like the 2-1-1 emergency resource line, SingleCare prescription savings which to date has saved Walworth County residents over $750,000, and Emergency Food and Shelter Program funding. A $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a local graduate demonstrating commitment to volunteerism. And most significant, United Way of Walworth County hosts quarterly nonprofit partner agency meetings to develop relationships and build a network for an even stronger community. Real impact occurs when we fight together! UWWC’s signature event, DAS Fest USA, a German festival promoting culture and unity, takes place August 5-7 at the Walworth County Fairgrounds. Its’ mission is to impact our local business economy, with all proceeds supporting our local nonprofit agencies.
Community Resources - United Way of Walworth County met with the county last May to request American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to offset the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic incurred by local 501(c)3 agencies. This month, approximately $100,000 was awarded to 16 applicants through an ARPA grant-funding process approved by Walworth County and administered by the United Way of Walworth County. That money is now helping residents who need medical and dental care, victims of abuse, youth and senior programs to revive and sustain their mental well-being, homelessness, food insecurity, literacy and environmental programs, and putting an end to human trafficking. You see, all partner agencies matter. They are each serving and helping residents in some essential capacity. Imagine the impact when we distribute even $5,000 to their missions collectively. And this was a $100,000 impact. We’ll receive three additional rounds of ARPA funds, in lesser amounts, over the next few years. Another example would be the 2-1-1 emergency resource line. This is a United Way program with UWWC managing our local database for the call center based in Milwaukee and serving 8 counties in addition to Walworth County. Anyone can call, text or chat online with a live agent 24/7 who will direct them to where they can find help for their specific need. In 2021, 1,615 calls were placed to 211 from Walworth County. 281 (17.4%) of those calls came from 53147.
Most Urgent Needs - Our most urgent need is always funding:
- to strengthen and enhance local nonprofit programs and services
- to collaborate with, connect, and maintain a network of nonprofit partner agencies and host meetings
- to achieve long term goals for a volunteer and community center raising awareness to Walworth County needs, options, and opportunities
Often miscommunicated, only 1.5% is paid in dues annually to United Way Worldwide. The rest stays right here in Walworth County. (And what we get back is worth much more than what we pay in dues.) It’s important to keep our local United Way chapter vibrant and strong for years to come.