We aim to provide financial education for everyone by implementing effective programs and collaborating with local partners.
Thousands of Story County families aren’t in the financial position to weather even a small storm, struggling paycheck to paycheck. Financial stability helps families move from surviving to thriving, but many lack access to the tools to get there.
Beginning in 2025, United Way of Story County will invest in tools to build long-term financial stability for 1,000 households annually through:
We aim to provide financial education for everyone by implementing effective programs and collaborating with local partners. Our goal is to help every person in Story County gain the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions.
NOTE: Data from 2023 or most recent year available. While these indicators are not the only ways to assess financial education in our community, these are data points that illustrate that there is a need in our goal area.
Financial insecurity affects thousands of households in our community, as shown by these realities:
Invest in programs that provide financial tools, education, and support to help families build long-term stability including:
These strategic investments deliver tangible outcomes for Story County households:
In March 2026, we announced the redesigned Women United program, built to help families move from stability to true empowerment. The program still includes financial education, and has expanded to include a new matched savings program for eligible participants.
United Way of Story County partners with Ames Ford Lincoln to bring Wheels For Work to our community. Ames Ford accepts donated vehicles into the program to be given a safety inspection and repaired to donate to a family in need of a vehicle.
A partnership between between UWSC and Iowa State University Ivy College of Business, VITA makes tax season less overwhelming and more empowering by offering free, reliable help to local residents who need it most. Each year, VITA volunteers help hundreds of people file their taxes accurately and on time, bringing hundreds of thousands of dollars back into our community.
Funding sliding scale fees removes the financial barriers families face when seeking high quality child care. In addition to supporting individual families, these investments allow nonprofit centers to maintain robust staffing and ensure program availability for the entire community.
