ABOUT US

Brookings Area United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every resident in Brookings County.

OUR MISSION

Brookings Area United Way:
Uniting people, sharing resources, inspiring hope and enriching lives for a stronger Brookings County.

OUR VISION

Brookings Area United Way:
A community where all children and families live in a safe and nurturing environment with the same opportunities for success.

We believe in being the best we can be

Every dollar is crucial to the work being done and we believe that our donors should know how they are impacting the community. For transparency with our supporters, we maintain a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar and the Membership Requirements Certification from United Way Worldwide. 

Our most current 990 can be found on GuideStar.

Certifications

HISTORY

In 1955, a small group of area businessmen started the Brookings United Charities Fund. Familiar Brookings names like, Fishback, Kendall, Sexauer, Dalthorp, Blauert, McCann, and Chapman aspired to receive gifts and administer them for charitable, educational, civic and philanthropic uses. Along the way the name has changed to Brookings United Fund and now serves as the Brookings Area United Way. Although the board members and dollar amounts raised have changed through the years, the purpose stays the same:

BROOKINGS AREA UNITED WAY: UNITING PEOPLE, SHARING RESOURCES, INSPIRING HOPE, AND ENRICHING LIVES FOR A STRONGER BROOKINGS COUNTY.

The Brookings Area United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability for every person in every community. We look for every dollar available to distribute to local nonprofits that are creating innovative solutions to common problems that plague our community. But we are more than fundraisers--we are facilitators and connectors. We connect, assist in funding, and help promote nonprofits and their accomplishments. When another nonprofit is connected to United Way, they receive much more than funding. They are able to access help in strategy, facilitating conversations, marketing, and much more. United Way promotes discussion of issues that have been overlooked for too long.

Donations to the Brookings Area United Way are distributed exclusively to Brookings Area United Way Partner Agencies selected by our board of directors. Our local leaders agree that Brookings Area United Way shall not fund agencies or requests that could be detrimental to the community as a whole due to their controversial nature. It is essential that local groups and individuals recognize that United Way funds are designed to focus on advancing the common good and not to promote political issues including, but not limited to, the pro-life/pro-choice debate. The Brookings Area United Way organization is committed to meeting the needs of the communities it serves. As an organization, we recognize and value the diversity of all individuals without regard to race, religion, color, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, physical challenge, and age. We allow zero tolerance for discrimination or harassment.

OUR TEAM

Heidi Headshot

HEIDI GULLICKSON

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

HEIDI'S WHY

Through the food insecurity taskforce and the quarterly meetings and the other communication we can see the bigger picture. We’re not working on short-term help; we’re working on long-term solutions. The community informs and leads the solutions.

Heidi Gullickson, Executive Director

Stepping into her role on April 1st, 2014, Heidi Gullickson has taken Brookings Area United Way to new heights. As a Brookings native, Heidi fell in love with her community. Staying close to home for higher education, she graduated from South Dakota State University in 1995

with a Bachelor's of Science in Sociology and minors in Consumer Affairs and Economics. After her marriage to her husband, Jeff Gullickson, they moved to Indiana and lived there from 1995 to 2007, but the South Dakota plains soon called them back. Developing a deep understanding of nonprofit management through her leadership as the Executive Director at the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce & Convention Bureau, partnered with her ever-evolving knowledge of the county's needs, Heidi saw her next fit with United Way. Crediting her success to those who came before her, she is extremely grateful for the past directors and board members who worked tirelessly to build a strong foundation for the organization. Heidi has been instrumental in transforming United Way into an impactful organization that facilitates connections throughout the county to craft innovative solutions to Brooking's County's social and economic issues. Under her leadership, United Way has launched a 5-year action plan-Impact 2023: focusing on the most critical issues of our communities to fight for the health, education, and self-sufficiency of every individual.

Ready to take on any challenge and be involved in all areas of the community, Heidi is also a Brookings Chamber Ambassador, welcoming new businesses to the community; a Board of Regent of Institute of Organization Management since 2015, and a committee member for Communities of Excellence. She has graduated from top community programs such as Leadership Brookings and stays involved in multiple organizations including the Brookings County Crisis Intervention Team.

Heidi is happy to call Brookings home with her husband, Jeff, and their two children, Kayla and Carson. Following in their parents' footsteps, both Kayla and Carson are SDSU Jackrabbits. Through her deep roots in the community, Heidi's resolve to build a better tomorrow for Brookings County only strengthens each day.

Heidi Gullickson Bio
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BRIANNA DORAN

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & IMPACT

BRIANNA'S WHY

When you invest in United Way you’re investing in your home. You’re making it stronger for your neighbors, friends, family, and even the economy. When everyone does better, we can all be better. We’re strengthening our community for generations to come.

Brianna Doran, Director of Communications & Impact

As a recent South Dakota State University graduate, Brianna comes to the workforce with a fresh perspective. With a Bachelor's of Science in Apparel Merchandising with minors in Event and Facilities Administration, Marketing, Leadership, and Leadership and Management of Nonprofit Organizations, Brianna learned to pull skills and ideas from all around her to transfer to any situation. Born and raised in Rapid City, South Dakota, Brianna developed a strong desire to constantly explore--starting with the Black Hills and leading her to the nonprofit sector. Throughout her years at college, she realized how amazing a community Brookings was, and wanted to do more to ensure that future generations could experience the area just as safe and engaging as she had. Taking her strong background in event planning and marketing, Brianna jumped right into her position as Executive Assistant by compiling research from partner agencies for Brookings Area United Way to be the first South Dakota United Way to submit the first Global Resource Framework Report with United Way Worldwide. Working closely with an incredible committee and under the supervision of Heidi, Brianna headed the implementation of the first-ever Week of Impact--kicking off the 2018-19 campaign and involving over 180 volunteers throughout 7 days to directly impact almost 2, 500 individuals in Brookings county.

Never one to slow down (and always striving to be the Leslie Knope of everything she does), Brianna continues to be involved in anything that she can. Bringing her passion for volunteering, you can always find her helping set up for an event or cheering on local community organizations with their endeavors. Brianna is currently a Brookings Chamber Ambassador, Brookings City Committee for People who have Disabilities Vice Chair, Brookings Area Crime Stoppers Secretary, Brookings DisruptHR Sponsorship Chair, Brookings Social NET Works Founding Partner, Brookings Youth Mentoring Program Marketing and Fundraiser committee member, Brookings Mental Health Coalition member and a Brookings Council of Nonprofits member. She also stays involved in national organizations such as the United Nations Association of the United States of America as a Youth Advocate. From speaking to SDSU students and at state conferences and regional meetings, Brianna is keeping her sense of curiosity and exploration by sharing ideas with anyone she meets.

Brianna is proud to be a (now-permanent!) resident of Brookings where she cares for her special needs (and ever-clingy) cat, Mia. Promoting causes and starting conversations has enhanced Brianna's desire to working the nonprofit sector and lend a helping hand to whomever reaches out.

Brianna Doran Bio
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ANNE DRAGSETH

2020 SUMMER INTERN

ANNE'S WHY

I have always found myself most passionate about youth mentoring and after school programs to provide children with structure and guidance. I am excited to have the opportunity to connect to several nonprofits throughout my experience here and help strengthen our community.

Anne Dragseth, 2020 Summer Intern

My name is Anne Dragseth and I am from Spencer, Iowa. I am currently a student at South Dakota State University. I am majoring in Leadership and Management of Nonprofit Organizations and minoring in Advertising. Before transferring to South Dakota State University, I was attending Creighton University for Advertising and Economics; however, I felt a call to work in the nonprofit field and help the people who need it the most. Now, being an intern at Brookings Area United Way, I have the opportunity to continue pursuing my passions.

Anne Dragseth Bio

2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Hover over the photos to hear from each board member.

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JAMESON BERRETH

City of Volga
President

JAMESON'S WHY

It’s important to give, and not only give, but advocate. I challenge our county to advocate, beyond a transaction of money, and to get involved in the larger aspects of creating change. Let your voice be heard.

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JENNIFER OLSON

BankStar

President-Elect

JENNIFER'S WHY

I love watching the collaboration that comes with being a part of the Brookings Area United Way. I feel confident that the dollars raised are going to where they are needed and I am proud to serve on the board of such a wide reaching nonprofit.

David-Chalmers_WEB

DAVID CHALMERS

Secretary

DAVID'S WHY

I encourage our community to donate to the BAUW because you know the money is being distributed well. It benefits a large amount of causes and creates a ripple effect thru the community.

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KENDRA JENSEN

First Bank & Trust
Treasurer

KENDRA'S WHY

I believe that we all have an obligation to give to others and to give back to their communities. United Way is a perfect way to do that and to create impact.

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ANITA THOMAS

Best Choice
Past- President

Anita's Why

Our partner agencies and United Way are collaborating to make a difference and fight for financial stability. By working together and creating connections, we are working toward long term solutions.

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KYLE BENDER

Falcon Plastics

 

 

KYLE'S WHY

Your dollars go farther than you realize. When you give to the United Way, they know how to stretch your donation to make the largest possible impact on multiple organizations.

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SEAN BINKER

Northwestern Mutual

 

 

SEAN'S WHY

United Way touches so many organizations and individuals in our county. A donation to BAUW is a way to condense your giving and still have a wide impact and knowing the dollars are going where they are needed.

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SPENCER DEGEN

Daktronics

 

 

SPENCER'S WHY

I’ve learned so much about the need in the community and the good that BAUW does since joining the board in 2019. I encourage you to become a donor to help maximize the impact we can collectively make in the community.

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CHIEF DAVE ERICKSON

Brooking Police Department

DAVE'S WHY

In my job, I see the need in our county - day in and day out.  We are able to address these needs thru the work of the funded partners and United Way, but we can’t do it without the support of our donors.

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LEWAYNE ERICKSON

 

 

LEWAYNE'S WHY

In the 50 years I’ve been in the community, I’ve seen the immense need; once you’re on the board you see the even greater need. People need all of the help you can offer. I’m proud to be able to help by being a donor and serving on the board.

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PATSY HENDRICKS

Brooking School Systems

 

PATSY'S WHY

In my work as a teacher, I’ve seen the challenges that our youth face. United Way and the 40 funded partners work together to support our youth and their families. Donations to the Brookings Area United Way fill needs that many in our community do not realize exist.

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KATRINA JENKINS

Discovery Benefits

 

KATRINA'S WHY

Donating to the Brookings Area United Way is empowering! I love seeing community members unite to support the growth and overall wellbeing of the families, especially children, in our community. 

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RYAN JOHNSON

Larson Manufacturing

RYAN'S WHY

You feel good that your contributions stays local and you can play a part in making sure local organizations are getting the resources to help people in need.  I am proud to be a donor and board member to the United Way.

Erin-Krogman_WEB

DR. ERIN KROGMAN

Brookings Dental Clinic

ERIN'S WHY

Through being on the board I’ve learned a lot about the community and what the need is and what work is still needed to be done.

Dan-Svobodny_WEB

DAN SVOBODNY

3M

DAN'S WHY

You can feel good about the gifts that you contribute and be confident that the United Way is bringing forth those gifts to local agencies that need them, which in turn brings positive outcomes to the Brookings community.

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KAS WILLIAMS

South Dakota State University

KAS'S WHY

Brookings is a community that really cares about people, and I'm happy to be part of the United Way network that cares about Brookings County. I'm excited to strengthen the connection between United Way and SDSU to expand the compassion we can provide to the community together. 

CONTACT US

  • ADDRESS

    PO Box 750
    619 5th Avenue
    Brookings, SD 57006

  • PHONE

    (605) 692-4979

  • EMAIL

    uw@brookingsunitedway.org

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