The United Way of the Ozarks has been responding to the need of the most vulnerable for 90 years. It looks at the community from a high level and addresses funding to areas that need the most attention. Missouri State University faculty and staff raise money every year as part of the United Way Campaign. We hope you'll consider participating this year at any level this year - every gift counts.
United Way Campaign 2021 – 2022
Missouri State University faculty, staff and retirees have rallied together every year for decades to contribute to the United Way of the Ozarks. In the last four years alone, MSU faculty and staff have raised over $340,000 as part of this campaign. These funds help change the lives of fellow community members in need.
A contribution of any size goes a long way with the United Way of the Ozarks, which serves at a high level to identify where the greatest needs lie within the community.
- $1 a week provides 20 emergency meals.
- $2 a week covers a year of out-of-school programming and meals for a student in need.
- $3 a week provides a comfort kit to a child who lost his home to a fire.
- $5 a week provides STEM programming materials for a child in need.
We hope you’ll participate to make our community a better place. As a bonus, we’re incorporating four different Challenges. Participate in one – or all four – and you will be in the running for some great prizes.
Why United Way?
The United Way of the Ozarks has made some exciting new changes this year in how they plan to invest our donations differently in the community.
The new funding strategy focuses on the health, education and financial stability needs of our community and is designed to maximize our undesignated funds. You can still designate funds to your organization of choice on the pledge form.
Participate in a challenge for a chance to win
| Challenge | Description |
|---|---|
| Cup of Coffee Challenge | You can support your community with an amount that is around just the price of one cup of coffee per month. Pledge a payroll deduction of $60 or $5/monthly. You can create a new pledge or increase your existing pledge to be part of this challenge – and in the running for a great prize. |
| Give A Dollar More Challenge | Increase your current donation by at least a dollar per month. Be entered to win a prize. |
| The Colleagues Challenge | Go head-to-head with other departments to see who can get the largest percentage of new pledges, and pledge increases, in your division or cost center. The division that has the largest percentage of staff who participate – either by pledging or increasing their pledges – wins a trophy that travels to the winning department every year! |
| The First Timer Challenge | New donors who pledge at least $5 total, welcome! You are now in the running for a prize. |
How to pledge
Pledge form: You may return the pledge form in your United Way packet you receive via campus mail in early November.
Online: You can also pledge via credit card or payroll deduction using the online portal. To begin donating, you may register online.
- Once you have created your account, click 'Pledge' at the top of the page and complete the pledging process.
- Please note: If you create your account and would like to make your gift or log back in at a later time, visit portal.uwozarks.org. To login you will need your username (work email address) and the password you entered when creating your account. If you have trouble, you can request a hint or link to reset.
Text: You may also text to give by texting ‘gobears’ (no space) to 91999 and follow the prompts. (Messaging rates may apply).
Rollover: If you already donate to the United Way via payroll deduction and you don’t take any action, your gift amount will rollover to 2022.
If you have questions or need help making your pledge, please contact JessicaHeinz@MissouriState.edu or 417-836-6105.
Make your pledge and celebrate with us
The celebration lunch will be held on December 3 at 11:30 in the Plaster Student Union Ballroom West for faculty and staff who participate in this year’s campaign with a donation, or rollover donation.
We will have prize drawings for those who participate in one or more of the four challenges. Please RSVP if you plan to join in the celebration so we can get a head count for lunch.
The prizes
- Lunch with Clif (you plus your two friends or coworkers)
- Coffee with Clif (you plus your two friends or coworkers)
- Apple Airpods
- Campus parking pass (or reimbursement) for 60 days, 90 days, and one year.
- Walnut Street Inn gift card
- Two Chiefs/Steelers tickets for 12/26 game
- Carrie's Cafe gift cards (carryout only)
- Blue Iguana Car Wash Gift Cards
- Incredible Pizza Gift Cards
- Bambino's Gift Card
- Fantastic Caverns Gift Card
Other ways to get involved
You can get involved through volunteering with any of the following programs and more. Visit their website or call the United Way of the Ozarks for more information at (417) 863-7700.
Help a person in need
If you hear of someone with housing, food, or funding need, refer them to 2-1-1 for assistance. It is free, confidential and a 24-hour resource and referral hotline.
The committee
This year’s committee is organizing the campaign, rounding up prizes and tracking pledges. Please let us know if you have questions – we are here to help.
