United Way of Northeastern Minnesota is no longer just a fundraising entity.
Since 2008, we have worked to adopt our own programs - while continuing to support nonprofits across our region - to help local people and communities thrive.
Bright Beginnings has been working for more than 10 years to increase local access to childcare and early childhood education opportunities.
Buddy Backpacks provides our most at-risk children (referred and enrolled by local schools) with nutritious, child-friendly, non-perishable food items each Friday or holiday break before they head home from school.
Comforts of Home helps our neighbors recovering from housing crises get back on our feet - and keeps partner stores' unsold products out of landfills. Last year, more than $123,000 worth of essential household items were distributed to families in need.
Day of Action mobilizes volunteers for one day of community revitalization. This year's Day of Action, presented by U. S. Steel, united 240+ volunteers to complete 49 community projects in Chisholm. Save the date: Day of Action is coming to the community of Cook June 24, 2027!
Imagination Library, Dolly Parton's school readiness program, delivers monthly age appropriate books to children birth to age five for FREE! UWNEMN is proud to operate this program locally; since bringing the program to our region, more 300,000 books have been put in the hands of area children!
Lunch Buddies screens, trains, and matches mentors with local elementary students identified by school staff as being in need of additional positive adult role models. A student near you is waiting for a mentor this fall!
Lead Local is a new no-cost training series for staff and volunteers serving non-profit organizations and booster clubs across the Iron Range, Koochiching County, and Lake of the Woods County.
Meet Up and Chow Down serves more than 10,000 free lunches to local children each summer.
Smiles United is working to expand access to dental care across our region. Through this program, UWNEMN supports Children's Dental Services' mobile dental program in schools and hosts them in our building. We've also established the Northeast Minnesota Dental Task Force to work more directly with local stakeholders on this critical issue. Dental Crisis Funding is available!
Step Into School unites Koochiching County businesses, first responders, volunteers, and families for a back-to-school celebration that sets students up for success. The one-day program also takes students shopping to select new school shoes at no-cost to their families. An off-shoot of the program, our Winter Warm Up project delivers quality winter gear to schools throughout Koochiching County to have on-hand for students who do not have adequate hats, mittens, gloves, and/or snow pants.
United for Veterans was designed to address the critical need for expanded, wrap-around services throughout our rural communities. The program evolved to include a crisis fund, regular social connectivity activities, an oral history project, and more.
Youth United Contest gives high school seniors across our service area a chance to have their voice heard - and win scholarship funding to apply towards two-year, four-year, or trade school education. Contest opens November 1, 2026!
211 is a statewide service supported by United Ways across Minnesota. Donations to UWNEMN support the 24/7/365 operation of 2-1-1, through which a single call or text can provide referrals to local services that suit an individual's current unique circumstances.
Would your company like to make a special investment directly into one of our programs or Community Impact Events?
Call UWNEMN Resource Development and Events Director Elizabeth Kelly at 218-295-2424 to impact lives and help your company achieve its corporate citizenship goals!