Volunteers with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program returned more than $2.8 million to residents in a five-county area in the 2024 tax year. The volunteer program is administered through the United Way of East Central Iowa.
Volunteers weeded, spread compost and planted at Matthew 25’s Cultivate Hope Urban Farm in northwest Cedar Rapids on Thursday as part of United Way of East Central Iowa’s Day of Caring.
Volunteers from area businesses donated their time and skills to complete tasks for area United Way organizations
Women across income levels and generations are more likely to give — and give more, says local author and retired chief executive officer of the United Way of East Central Iowa Lois Buntz.
The Gazette’s Iowa Ideas conference kicks off today. Volunteerism is one theme among many of the panel discussions happening Thursday and Friday. Volunteering has been declining for decades, but the pandemic and economic struggles have exacerbated the trend at a time when demand for nonprofit services continues to increase.
United Way of East Central Iowa announced a new set of focus areas Wednesday that will determine how the organization’s funding is used over the next three years. The focus areas are part of a new initiative called Unite to Inspire.
United Ways across Iowa have created a 21-Day Equity Challenge to raise awareness about the ways racism, discrimination and inequities affect the state. Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly has signed on and is encouraging community leaders, city employees and area residents to take the self-guided 21-Day Equity Challenge.
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