BROOKINGS Residents and businesses in and around Brookings have always been known for their generosity, and the Brookings Area United Way is hoping that stellar reputation translates into donations as it kicks off its 70th annual fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $1.2 million to help folks in need in Brookings County.
That is a lofty goal, but if we make that then we feel confident that our organizations our funded partners and the United Way programs that we run will be able to continue as they are or even maybe meet a little bit greater need than were currently doing, Executive Director Heidi Gullickson told the Brookings Register. We know, right now, theres still are needs out there that arent being met.
Last years goal was $1 million, and BAUW came close to meeting it, topping out at $950,000.
Numerous programs in and around Brookings 38 to be specific benefit from BAUWs efforts, something that Gullickson said helps all of society.
Thats the great thing about being able to donate to the Brookings Area United Way is that youre not just supporting one single program but really being able to strengthen the entire fabric of the community, she explained. We (can) help organizations that are very small that maybe dont even have paid staff all the way up to our larger very well-known nonprofits in the community and then also being able to reach that entire lifespan (from) new babies all the way up to our senior citizens in the community.
Gullickson pointed to some of the BAUWs initiatives that involve not only the organization, but have representation from local nonprofits, city leadership and businesses. This ensures a collaborative approach to solving some of the larger social problems in the Brookings area.
When were working with those partners, were really working with our funded partners as well to help them increase the impact in the community, she said. The dollars go to help those organizations continue to provide the great resources and services in the community as well as the programs that United Way does, such as our dental van program, our Imagination Library program and our mental health coalition things like that.
This year, BAUW is helping 38 organizations, a number that can vary from year to year.
It changes typically a little bit each year. Either some organizations decide that they dont need the funding, or we may have a couple of new ones come on, Gullickson said. This year, with so many unknowns and things changing in the community, we will have to just raise every dollar we can between now and mid-January to be able to get as many dollars out to those organizations that are doing such good work.
This years campaign launched on Sept. 15 and will continue into mid-January. She said pledge cards should hit the mailboxes by the end of this week. A video is also available on the BAUWs website at https://brookingsunitedway.org/.
Federal changes
Needless to say, changing priorities at the federal level which have included funding cuts to various initiatives at the local and state levels have been felt by BAUW and other local entities. Still, they’re rolling as best they can with those punches.
We all are trying to support each other and find other avenues to bring those missing dollars in so we can continue the work that we are doing, Gullickson noted. That has definitely been felt.
Delving further into other mitigation efforts, she said, I think we always are looking for ways to collaborate, to be able to make our impact larger. Breaking down the silos of nonprofits and things like that has always been one of the goals of the United Way for us all to work collaboratively toward those common goals that we have for Brookings, and I think we continue to see that happening.
Gullickson added that BAUW has quarterly meetings with its funded partners, which is of immense benefit when it comes to communication.
Its really cool to see when somebody says, Im having a problem in this area, and another nonprofit can say, Hey, weve been through that let (us) help you.
Fundraising environment
Along with federal uncertainty comes a degree of economic uncertainty as well, but Gullickson remains hopeful that people and businesses will remain steadfast in their generosity as they face those headwinds.
Theres just a lot of unknowns, and I think there are families that are concerned about increasing prices and even job stability, she said. We hope that folks are still able to show their generosity. For those that find themselves in a place that they really want to make an impact, donating through the United Way is such (an) easy and streamlined way to do that.
Gullickson then made a point of drawing attention to something known as ALICE, an acronym that stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. Basically, it means theres a lot of people who arent in poverty but are also nowhere near economic stability.
Those are our folks here working but not making enough really to feel confident month to month, she said. We hear about the poverty level being at 13 percent in Brookings County, but if we look at that other grouping that makes just above the poverty level but still not enough to really take care of anything if a little hiccup comes, if somebodys off work for a couple of days because theyre sick, or a car repair needs to be done, theyre on that edge and can quickly tip over it.
In South Dakota, thats roughly 36% of households. That number which includes people who are ALICE and below the poverty line are similar in surrounding states as well:
- Iowa: 37%
- Minnesota: 35%
- Nebraska: 35%
- North Dakota: 33%
The importance of all these resources that we have to help people stabilize is just mind-blowing, Gullickson said.
She noted that, while county-level ALICE numbers were not available in South Dakota, efforts are underway by United Way chapters in the state to suss out that data.
Gullickson also said that while some of the United Way-funded and administered programs are proactive and enriching, others are designed more for handling crisis situations.
I have always told my kids were one accident away (from) being in a completely different situation, one health emergency, she said. Things can change for a family so quickly, and these are families that are working, are providing services in our community. When theyre struggling, you feel it through the ripple effect.
In closing, Gullickson said every donation is appreciated and does make a difference.
Being able to go to work in our community is such an important piece of that, she said. “Those dollars stay local.
Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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