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United Way highlights role of local nonprofits, requests continued city support
Summary
A United Way representative briefed the council on the scope of local nonprofit activity and community programs — homelessness, at‑risk youth and early childhood literacy — urging continued city funding and collaboration.
Kathy Madsen, speaking for United Way of Douglas County, described the county’s nonprofit landscape and asked the council to continue supporting community programs that serve homelessness, at‑risk youth and early childhood literacy.
Madsen told the council there are more than 160 registered nonprofits in Douglas County and that, excluding the largest institutions, many local nonprofits employ about 250 people and generate roughly $17 million in gross revenue. She emphasized United Way’s role as a funder and fiscal agent for programs rather than a direct service provider.
Madsen reviewed United Way’s three community impact initiatives: homelessness, at‑risk youth and early childhood literacy. She cited specific programs the United Way supports: a school‑supply distribution (“stuff the bus”), a truancy program that replaces fines with community service at nonprofit sites, a weekend nutrition program that provides children with take‑home food, and an Imagination Library book program that mails age‑appropriate books to children under 5 and supports small community “blue bookshelves.”
She said the organizations United Way coordinates help stabilize household finances and cited a local debt‑management effort by Lutheran Social Services that repaid about $6.7 million to creditors over five years in Douglas County. Madsen linked those programs to preventing homelessness and improving long‑term education outcomes.
Councilors thanked Madsen and noted community concerns such as planned reductions in federal food benefits; Councilor Bender said cuts would amount to about $0.03 per meal per person based on current proposals and urged local responses like community gardens. Madsen and councilors framed the presentation as a reminder of the nonprofits’ local economic and social role and asked the council to continue funding and partnerships.
The presentation was given after a motion to move the item earlier in the agenda so Madsen could present; there was no formal council action attached to the presentation beyond acknowledgment and thanks.
