March 2026 News

Each fall, Merrill Area United Way accepts applications from area non-profits for funding of programs that meet community needs in our four areas of impact:

  • Healthy Community: We improve access to nutritous food an quality health services, so people have the resources they need to lead healthy lives.

  • Youth Opportunity: We create pathways for young people to reach their goals, from early childhood education to college and career sucess.

  • Financial Security: We connect people to education, tools, and job training so they have financial freedom and peace of mind.

  • Community Resiliency: We help our community prepare for, prevent, and respond to challenges, from crisis support to disaster relief.

Applications are then reviewed and vetted by our Allocation Teams in November with recommendations for funding made to our Board of Directors. The Board reviews these recommendations and finalizes allocation awards to our funded partners for the upcoming year.

In early March, our first allocation checks were distributed to our eighteen 2026 funded partners.  The second round of affiliate allocations will be mailed on September 1st, once our 2025-26 pledged dollars are received.    This year’s funded partners will receive allocations totaling $180,155 from United Way.  This included funds that were designated to an agency by the donor.  Each year our funded partners share incredible stories of how United Way funds have helped individuals and families in need or crisis right here in our community.   

During 2025, Merrill Area United Way joined United Way Worldwide Global Brand Refresh. This initiative is expected to provide greater uniformity amongst all United Ways across the world. In 2025, we updated our logo, our slogan to “United Is the Way”, updated our promotional and campaign materials, and last month unveiled our new United Way sign located on the Wisconsin Public Service property on East Main Street.  Currently, we are working on updating our website.  We hope to launch the new site later this spring. 

Remember, donations to Merrill Area United Way are accepted year-round and all dollars stay local to help your neighbors, family and friends. To donate send checks to Merrill Area United Way, PO Box 813, Merrill, WI 54452 or donate via STRIPE at https://donate.stripe.com/aEU6pq6m4fU36ZO9AA