Addressing Urgent Needs Today
Everyone deserves the opportunity to prosper. At United Way we work with our neighbors to build a resilient community that is ready for any challenge. Through crisis response, volunteerism, and building strong neighborhoods, we are strengthening the foundation of Southeast Minnesota for a more sustainable and secure future.
When facing a crisis, individuals and families need immediate access to reliable services and resources to meet their needs.
Over 5,000
calls to 211 in Southeast Minnesota each year.
35%
of Olmsted County adults feel socially disconnected.
1 in 3
households in Olmsted County are unable to meet their basic needs.
What We Do
United Way builds a resilient community through a comprehensive approch that addresses urgent needs while also affecting long-term change. United Way's 211 partnership is a lifeline during times of crisis. Through our volunteer efforts we connect neighbors to neighbors to make a difference from the ground up. And through our investments in neighborhoods and civic enagement, we fund programs that create strong communities.
Sources
Olmsted County Community Health Needs Assessment. (2022). Olmsted County Public Health Services, Mayo Clinic, and Olmsted Medical Center.
United Way's 211 helps you reach the right resource, right away, from right where you are.
Just dial 2-1-1 for information on hundreds of local resources. Information is also available via self-search or by texting your zip code to 898-211.
211 Resources
- Food and Meals
- Housing and Eviction Support
- Employment
- Treatment Centers and Support
- Crisis Childcare
- And Much More...
When you call 211, you will get to talk through your current needs with a highly trained Information and Referral Specialist. This Specialist will search the expansive 211 database to connect you with any local resources that meet your needs.
In the local 211 database, there are currently over 200 organizations and agencies, offering over 500 programs and services in our community. With all of these resources available at their fingertips, 211 Information and Referral Specials are ready to connect you and your families, friends, and neighbors to the programs, services, and resources you need. They can also work with you to brainstorm a path forward.
211 Benefits
- Free
- Confidential
- Available 24/7
- Multilingual
- One phone call away!
At United Way, we believe there's a place for everyone to be involved in our community. We promote volunteerism as the foundation of our community, helping create connections between neighbors and organizations. We're here to help find the right volunteer opportunity for you!
Our Get Connected volunteer portal always has a variety of opportunities posted with organizations across our community. We also offer a special Varsity Letter in Community Service program for high schoolers who want to get involved in their communities.
Community-led reports are the result of months-long projects where local residents come together to research, listen, and share what’s happening in their county. Guided by United Way of Southeast Minnesota, these teams include people with both lived and professional experience in human services.
The process focuses on identifying gaps, accessibility challenges, and community needs by hearing directly from those most impacted. The final reports highlight key findings and recommendations to guide service providers, funders, and decision-makers in building stronger, more responsive systems of support.
Each county’s report reflects the voices of its residents and helps shape practical solutions for a healthier, thriving community.
Winona and Fillmore County reports are currently on-going.
In order to build on and appreciate the success of our recent Dodge County Community-Led Learning, United Way of Southeast Minnesota is releasing 4 mini-grants at $5,000 each to support programs connected to the report's recommendations. We strongly encourage you to read through the report, recommendations, and rubric to strengthen your application. We will award one mini-grant per recommendation focus area. Please choose the category and recommendation you feel most closely fits with the goal of your program or service. You are unable to click more than one category or recommendation.
Eligible applicants are:
-
501c3 organizations or fiscally sponsored organizations that have a documented relationship with a 501c3
-
Government entities
-
School districts
AND
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Providing a free or low cost service to low-income* Dodge County residents that is directly connected to the recommendations from our recent Dodge County community led learning project
Applications will be accepted from September 15th to October 17th, 2025 at 11:59 PM.
*We define low-income as living in the ALICE population, which is under 300% of the FPL. You can learn more about ALICE ranges by household type here.
Learn more about Dodge County Mini-Grants below.