United Way is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) agency that brings people together to help our community reach its full potential. We partner with local nonprofits, businesses, government and social service agencies to address our community’s most pressing needs.

Our mission is uniting people, sharing resources, inspiring hope and enriching lives for a stronger Brookings County.

Our work provides the building blocks for a good life through efforts in three areas: health, education, and financial stability. Our goals address poverty’s root causes on multiple fronts, and we measure our impact and success each year.

There are over 1,400 community-based United Ways across the county, and each is separately incorporated and independently governed by local volunteers. Many of these organizations are similar in their mission and structure, but some are very different.

We pay a voluntary membership contribution for the rights to use the name and logo and support broader community impact goals through United Way Worldwide, an umbrella organization that attacks the same problems on a national and global level and provides guidance, training, and development services to local United Ways. These dues are less than 2% of the dollars raised. A percentage of the dues is also returned to Brookings Area United Way in the form of flex credits that can be used for trainings and conferences.

Contributions raised stay here and decisions about which programs to invest in and which partnerships to pursue are made here in our local county.

Brookings Area United Way was formed in 1955 and celebrated 65 years in 2020. Find out more history.

Making a gift to United Way is the most effective way to help our whole community. Our unique ability to work across complex issues with hundreds of community partners is unmatched.

We mobilize volunteers and convene partner agencies, corporations, community leaders and policymakers to make broad, systemic changes like no other organization can on its own.

Our programs help people in crisis get back on their feet, help prevent future problems and build a stronger community for all of us.

In 2022, the former Volunteer Connections, through the Helpline Center, transitioned to Volunteer United with the Brookings Area United Way. Volunteer United is the connection between critical nonprofits and generous community members. Volunteer United provides information and resources to nonprofits, businesses, and volunteers to better serve Brookings County.

Learnmore about Volunteer United.

Helpline Center’s 2-1-1 can connect you to over 3,000 community resources – from job training programs and childcare to counseling services and financial assistance. Staffed by trained professionals, this free, confidential help line is available 24/7.

From simple answers to serious help, just dial or text 211 from anywhere in South Dakota. You can also call 866-605-4723. The service is also available online at www.helplinecenter.org.