2020 Greater Mankato Area United Way Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT 2020

CONTENTS

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MISSION AND SERVICE AREA

3

LETTER FROM CEO

4

BOARD AND STAFF 2020

6

PARTNER AGENCIES

7

FINANCIAL REPORT

8

CORE COMMITMENTS

9

CONVENING THE COMMUNITY

10

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

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Cover photo: SUV donated by Snell Motors; wrap donated by Sign Pro.

OUR MISSION Greater Mankato Area United Way’s mission is to unite the community to secure and invest resources to improve people’s lives by focusing on the impact areas of Basic Needs, Health and Education. All of our programs must fall into at least one of these areas. By keeping these three pillars strong and balanced, we can continue to build a better tomorrow for all in our region.

OUR IMPACT We make every effort to ensure donor dollars are being used efficiently by utilizing volunteer resources, sponsorships and in-kind donations.

IN 2020: • More than 1,000 VOLUNTEERS donated over 9,000 hours of service.

• Over 6,000 INDIVIDUALS contributed FINANCIAL DONATIONS toward the campaign.

• Over 60 GENEROUS REGIONAL BUSINESSES and other community partners offered

SPONSORSHIPS for events, supplies and more.

• Corporate and community supporters gave IN-KIND DONATIONS valued at more than $660,000.

OUR REGION Greater Mankato Area United Way serves communities in the following four counties:

>> BLUE EARTH COUNTY >> LE SUEUR COUNTY >> NICOLLET COUNTY >> WASECA COUNTY 3

A LETTER FROM THE CEO Dear Friends, The year 2020 brought challenges we never expected with the onset of COVID-19. With your support, Greater Mankato Area United Way did not falter for a moment. We were a unifying force for the region, bringing together volunteers, in-kind donors, resources, community partners, and many others. We continued to do our work of connecting people and organizations to resources, being the balancer of the region, and addressing emergency needs—while responding to the expanded needs and urgency of the pandemic. We stayed mobile, adapting events and initiatives to align with health guidelines while creating new fundraisers and opportunities for engagement. We continued fostering our partnerships with organizations throughout the region. In March 2020, we partnered with the Mankato Area Foundation to create the Community Response Fund to address COVID-related emergency needs of nonprofits.

When I look back at the past year, I am overwhelmed by our region's generosity and support as we pivoted on every aspect of United Way. Businesses were there in the early morning hours hosting outdoor employee rallies. Volunteers were there helping at the community food distribution. Committees were there planning how to hold adapted, virtual, or hybrid events. Donors were there providing the matching gifts that helped us reach our campaign goal—and so much more. Together, we surpassed our campaign goal of $2,060,000 to support our programs when they needed it the most.

Thank you for living united and supporting the work of Greater Mankato Area United Way.

Barb Kaus 4

STRONGER

UNITED.

When I look back at the past year, I am overwhelmed by our region's generosity and support as we pivoted on every aspect of United Way. 5

As of December 31, 2020

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS

Kevin Velasquez, Blethen Berens - Board Chair Tyson Twait, Dotson Iron Castings - Vice Chair/Finance Chair Jessica Blais, Alpha Media - 2021 Campaign Chair Mike Kunkel, CCF Bank - 2020 Campaign Chair Tami Paulsen, Retired - Past Board Chair Kay Wallerich, Wallerich Consulting - Community Impact Chair

BOARD MEMBERS

Chris Austin, Taylor Corporation Keith Bauer, Mankato Clinic Eric Boelter, Community Bank Brad Boettcher, CLA Terry Brandt, Mayo Clinic Health System Mankato Alissa Brekke, Pioneer Bank Laura Elvebak, Blue Earth County Tonya Hobbie, Bolton & Menk Steve Jameson, The Free Press Media

Bruce McKirdy, Radio Mankato Justin Neumann, Mankato Department of Public Safety Matt Norland, Meyer & Norland Financial Group Paul Peterson, Mankato Area Public Schools Brandon Scheel, SCHEELS Todd Stromswold, US Bank Shane Van Engen, Bremer Bank Ryan Walker, Consolidated Communications Steve Weisbecker, Lloyd Management

As of December 31, 2020

OUR STAFF Barb Kaus, CEO Rosi Back, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator Jodi Baier, Financial Assistant Janice Berndt, Director of Finance Elizabeth Harstad, Director of Community Impact

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Christine Hodges, Resource & Donor Development Director Paul Lokken, Data Systems Manager Laura Murray, Communications & Marketing Director Cindy Rothenbuehler, Office & Communications Assistant Tricia Stenberg, Special Activities & Relationship Director

2020 PARTNER AGENCIES 55 PROGRAMS

ACHIEVING DREAMS FOR DISABILITIES AMERICAN RED CROSS Disaster Services THE ARC MINNESOTA Self-Advocacy BEYOND BRINK Recovery Housing for Women BLUE EARTH COUNTY FIRST STEPS First Steps - Prenatal Next Steps - Pediatric BOY SCOUTS TWIN VALLEY COUNCIL Youth Development CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SOUTHERN MN Common Good RSVP Health & Wellness for Older Adults CEDAR VALLEY SERVICES SMART Senior Transportation COMMITTEE AGAINST DOMESTIC ABUSE Therapeutic Counseling CONNECTING KIDS Youth Scholarships GREATER MANKATO AREA UNITED WAY Books for Kids GREATER MANKATO DIVERSITY COUNCIL Promoting Respect Workshops GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE Big Partner Little Partner Gustie Buddies LAKE CRYSTAL AREA RECREATION CENTER Membership Scholarships LAKE CRYSTAL COMMUNITY EDUCATION Camp MidKnights Summer Enrichment

MANKATO COMMUNITY EDUCATION & RECREATION Lincoln Logs Learning Center MAPS Preschool MAYBA YOUTH BASEBALL Scholarships MN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES Refugee Services NRHEG COMMUNITY EDUCATION Panther Preschool OPEN DOOR HEALTH CENTER Integrated Clinic Operations PARTNERS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING Emergency Shelter Welcome Home Transitional Housing PROJECT FOR TEENS Peer Education THE SALVATION ARMY Emergency Social Services Noon Feeding Program Pathway of Hope SMILES Assistive Technology Recreation SOUTHERN MN REGIONAL LEGAL SERVICES Lawyers Advancing Wellness ST. PETER AREA FOOD SHELF Children’s Weekend Food Program ST. PETER COMMUNITY & FAMILY EDUCATION School Readiness VINE FAITH IN ACTION Aging Well at the VACC Door2Door Transportation Neighbors Helping Neighbors

LEISURE EDUCATION FOR EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE (LEEP) Recreation

WASECA AREA NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICE CENTER BackPack Program Emergency Social Services

LIFE-WORK PLANNING CENTER Women in Transition

WASECA AREA SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF MN Crisis Nursery Financial Counseling Meals Sex Trafficking Prevention

YMCA Brother/Sister Program Chesley Skate Park Financial Assistance School-based Mentoring STRIDE

MAGFA GIRLS FASTPITCH Scholarships

YWCA Girls on the Run Programming New American Families 7

As of December 31, 2020

FINANCIAL REPORT STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES

USE OF FUNDS

FROM AUDITED FINANICAL REPORT

TOTAL PUBLIC SUPPORT AND REVENUES $3,210,970

8%

11%

Program Services Expenses $1,456,322 Community and Agency Services $931,536 PROVIDED BY UNITED WAY Management and General $218,459 Fundraising $631,266 Total Expenses $3,237,583 Net Income ($26,613)

81%

Program & Related Cost Mission Support/Campaign and Event Fundraising Mission Support/Admin

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION Current Assets Fixed Assets Other Assets Total Assets Current Liabilities

$2,687,912 $8,573 $33,899 $2,730,384 $46,534

41%

32% 27%

NET ASSETS Unrestricted Temporarily Restricted Total Net Assets

$926,568 $1,757,282 $2,683,850

Total Liabilities and Net Assets

$2,730,384

Audited financial statements and IRS Form 990 available upon request.

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MAJOR PROGRAM COST BREAKDOWN

Community Impact - Education Community Impact - Basic Needs Community Impact - Health

CORE COMMITMENTS Greater Mankato Area United Way’s core commitments are to convene the community, secure resources, and connect people and organizations to resources. United Way secures resources by soliciting individuals and businesses throughout the region during the annual campaign. In 2020, more than 5,800 individuals donated through workplace campaigns or other personal giving, while more than 190 companies pledged a corporate gift. By receiving a total of $2,198,922.47 in donation pledges, United Way provided funding to 36 local nonprofit agencies and 55 partner programs in 2020. United Way helps to improve people’s lives by supporting basic needs, health and education.

COMMUNITY IMPACT

BASIC NEEDS

United Way stabilizes families in need and gives them tools for success. The focus of Basic Needs supports advancing the common good by providing basic needs like food, clothing, shelter and emergency services. This focus area also supports programs to increase the self-sufficiency through building systems of support for individuals and families. These programs served 3,736 people in 2020. In addition, Week of Action served more than 100 individuals, 2-1-1 served 657 individuals, and Get Connected served dozens of individuals.

131,849

MEALS PROVIDED

COMMUNITY IMPACT

HEALTH

United Way helps people live healthy, independent lives. The focus of Health supports increased independence through building systems of support for older individuals, support for individuals with disabilities to live their lives fully engaged in our communities and supporting vulnerable families and individuals by providing tools to maintain all aspects of healthy living. These programs served 9,689 people in 2020. Other health initiatives included United Way's partnership with Family Wize, which served 95 individuals.

3,246

PATIENTS RECEIVED HEALTH SERVICES

COMMUNITY IMPACT

EDUCATION

The focus area of Education is structured to building systems of support for parents and young children to ensure that all children are ready for kindergarten, ensure youth have healthy growth and development opportunities and that youth have access to quality youth development programs that foster positive experiences. These programs served 18,229 youth in 2020. Other education initiatives included United Way Fourth-Grade Book Project, which served 1,700 individuals.

3,004

YOUTH PARTICIPATED IN OUT-OF-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES 99

CONVENING THE COMMUNITY In addition to securing resources to fund programs, United Way convenes the community to identify needs, bring awareness to topics, and facilitate action around community issues.

In 2020, the importance of Greater Mankato Area United Way's work was highlighted during the challenges and escalated needs presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. United Way adapted and continued to bring together community members, organizations and leaders of all levels for discussion, awareness and action. With the support of regional businesses and service clubs, United Way's Senior Technology Initiative addressed social isolation in older adults, providing Kindle tablets to senior care facilities throughout the region. Early childhood development initiatives included Success by Six and Kids Count events. Literacy initiatives included the Fourth-Grade Book Project, in partnership with the Olseth Family Foundation, which provided 1,700 books to regional students. The Books for Kids program, in partnership with Capstone, provided nearly 29,000 books to preschool children in the four-county area.

Greater Mankato Area United Way also connected people and organizations to resources through tools such as Get Connected, an online volunteer management system utilized by regional organizations and volunteers, as well as 2-1-1, a community helpline. Calls to 2-1-1 increased dramatically during the pandemic. United Way played a key role in collaborative initiatives such as centralizing volunteer recruitment, establishing the Community Response Fund (in collaboration with the Mankato Area Foundation), Week of Action service projects, participating in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, coordinating Xcel Energy lightbulb donations, and fostering other community partnerships.

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MAKING A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER.

During the pandemic year, businesses, community members, volunteers and other supporters ensured Greater Mankato Area United Way could continue its work to improve lives in our region. We adapted workplace rallies, events and outreach efforts to align with up-to-date health guidelines so we could continue the important work of keeping our region strong and balanced.

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BOOKS FOR KIDS

CAMPAIGN KICKOFFS (VIRTUAL)

COMMUNITY IMPACT TEAMS (VIRTUAL)

EMERGING LEADERS UNITED

EMPLOYEE CAMPAIGNS (VIRTUAL)

EMPLOYEE CAMPAIGNS (IN-PERSON)

FIRE & ICE (VIRTUAL)

FOURTH-GRADE BOOK PROJECT

HUMAN FOOSBALL

LITERACY RESOURCES

MEN'S EVENT

SENIOR TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE

SUCCESS BY SIX FORUMS

TOP EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP WEEK (VIRTUAL)

UNITED CIRCLE RECEPTION

WEEK OF ACTION

WOMEN WITH HEART (IN-PERSON /VIRTUAL)

VOLUNTEER THANK YOU EVENT

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LIVE UNITED 507-345-4551 127 S. 2nd St #190 Mankato, MN 56001 MankatoUnitedWay.org