Annual Campaign
The annual United Way Campaign fuels everything we do. Through the generosity of donors, we raise and steward funds that support United Way initiatives and carefully selected nonprofit partner agencies. Our non-profit partners provide wrap-around services to individuals and families in the areas of Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency. By working together, we reduce gaps, avoid duplication, and ensure help reaches people when and where they need it most.
Because of donor support, individuals and families receive help with basic needs such as housing stability, food access, and utility assistance; youth gain mentors and safe, supportive places to learn and grow; and individuals with mental health needs or substance use receive compassionate care. Donor dollars also power 211, providing free, confidential, 24/7 access to expert resource navigators who connect people to local services when they need them most. You can access 211 by calling 211, searching 211Wisconsin.org, chatting on 211Wisconsin.org, or texting your zip code to 898211. Your financial gift to Merrill Area United Way supports all of this and more.
Every gift to Merrill Area United Way strengthens this entire network of care, amplifying the impact of local nonprofits and creating lasting change in our community.
Collaboration
Collaboration is at the heart of our work. United Way brings together nonprofits, local leaders, businesses, and volunteers to address complex challenges that no single organization can solve alone.
When homelessness was identified as a high-priority community issue that needed a solution, Merrill Area United Way helped convene partners, mobilized resources, and launched the Warming Center in 2014 that evolved into the Merrill Area Community Homeless Shelter (MAC Home). This type of collaboration was made possible with volunteers and donor support, allowing the community to move from identifying a need to building a sustainable solution.
To reinforce this community collaboration, United Way staff and board members actively participate in committees and collaborative groups to ensure community voices are heard, and efforts remain aligned with local needs and priorities.
Impact
Guided by community input and powered by donor generosity, United Way focuses its investments in four major impact areas to improve lives across the Merrill area:
- Healthy Community: We improve access to nutritious food and 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 success.
- 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.