MINNEAPOLIS (Aug. 14, 2024) – Greater Twin Cities United Way (United Way) announced today the release of its 2023 Community Impact Report, which includes the results of its work with partners across the region. In 2023, United Way served more than half a million people, meeting urgent needs while making lasting change in the areas of housing, food, education and jobs.
To address immediate needs, United Way continued providing direct service through its 211 resource helpline and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, grantmaking to local area nonprofits, and volunteerism engagement initiatives, such as Action Day. To create lasting change, United Way continued advocating alongside coalition partners for state investments in essential services, such as housing and child care; invested in innovative programs that focus on transforming systems; and launched Pathways Home, a new initiative aimed at preventing homelessness for youth transitioning from incarceration or foster care.
“In 2023, our collaborative efforts with local nonprofits, businesses, donors, volunteers, and advocates yielded meaningful results,” said John Wilgers, President & CEO, Greater Twin Cities United Way. “Together, we transformed lives by addressing immediate needs while also working tirelessly to dismantle barriers related to income, race, and place. Through our shared commitment, we’re building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
Every day, people seeking help paying bills, finding food and locating other resources contact United Way’s 211 resource helpline. In 2023, United Way responded to over 342,000 requests to 211 from people across Minnesota – a 10 percent increase over 2022. Housing continued to be the most requested 211 resource, followed by utilities and energy assistance. Food was the third most requested resource – and the fastest increasing – likely due to inflation during 2023.
United Way also continued providing support as a local call center for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. In 2023, United Way crisis counselors answered over 24,000 calls to 988 – a 36 percent increase over 2022 – providing emotional support for people experiencing thoughts of suicide, substance use or other mental health crises. Callers reached out for a variety of reasons, including needing a listening ear (81 percent), preventing a progression to suicidal thoughts (12 percent), and imminent crisis (7 percent).
United Way mobilized thousands of volunteers last year through essential supply drives, community volunteer events and more. In 2023, generous volunteers helped provide 45,000 students with backpacks full of school supplies so they can thrive in the classroom and 1,400 families transitioning from homelessness to stable housing with welcome home bins full of essential household items. Volunteers also assembled 13,000 culturally relevant food packs – the equivalent of 50,000 meals – so that families using neighborhood food shelves have access to familiar flavors and foods.
Based on deep learning in community, in June 2023, United Way launched Pathways Home, a new initiative focused on preventing homelessness for those most vulnerable to experiencing it: youth who are exiting the foster care system and/or transitioning from incarceration. As part of the launch, United Way deployed $1.2 million to its first cohort of 11 nonprofit partners. With a focus on lasting change, Pathways Home is also convening those who hold power in the foster care and corrections systems to collaborate on meaningful solutions.
In 2023, United Way celebrated its most consequential advocacy agenda ever. Together with its advocacy coalition partners, United Way successfully advocated for new investments to promote stable and affordable housing – totaling more than $1 billion, the single largest investment in housing in Minnesota history. Other advocacy wins included the passage and implementation of free school meals; a historic $2 billion investment in the state’s childcare system and workforce; and a $1 million investment in Career Academies, a United Way initiative focused on career pathways for youth.
See more of the impact Greater Twin Cities United Way and its partners made possible in our report.
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About Greater Twin Cities United Way: Greater Twin Cities United Way unites changemakers, advocates for social good and develops solutions to address the challenges no one can solve alone to create a community where all people thrive. For more information, visit www.gtcuw.org and follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and LinkedIn.
