United Way of Monroe County and United Way of South Central Indiana announce merger, keeping the name United Way of South Central Indiana.
September 22, 2023, BEDFORD and BLOOMINGTON, IND – United Way of Monroe County and United Way of South Central Indiana announce exciting news today that these two organizations have united as one, joining forces to combine their unique abilities, partnerships, and histories to bring new opportunities to the region. Merging creates operational efficiencies, ensuring greater impact while maintaining a strong local presence within each distinct community that makes up the south-central region.
After several months of discussion, the two organizations are officially operating as United Way of South Central Indiana and will create impact in Brown, Greene, Lawrence, Monroe, Orange, and Owen counties.
The organization will retain offices in Bloomington at 431 S. College Avenue and an office within the Stonegate Arts & Education building in Bedford at 931 15th St.
The newly broadened organization launched its 2023 giving season at the Blue Jean Ball on September 21, celebrating the expanded United Way of South Central Indiana service area. Those wishing to donate or get involved are encouraged to visit www.unitedwaysci.org.
United Way of South Central Indiana will work toward moving families out of poverty and into possibility by addressing the root causes of inequities in health, education, and financial stability across South Central Indiana.
Nearly half of the families in the region are in, or one emergency away from, poverty – including 30% of families with children and 43% of seniors. It takes everyone, and United Way of South Central Indiana is rallying our communities to work hand-in-hand.
Kim Burgess, Executive Director of the former United Way of South Central Indiana, remains on staff in the role of Director of Rural Engagement. She will remain active and visible in Lawrence and Orange counties while also providing outreach to additional rural counties in the new footprint. “Our board launched discussions to combine operations with United Way of Monroe County to leverage the strengths of an expanded staff and ensure that United Way can effectively and efficiently serve the South Central region far into the future,” said Burgess.
“We are confident that Lawrence and Orange counties will be better served through unification,” shared Nick Shafer, board member of the former and current United Way of South Central Indiana.
As part of the unification, Randy Rogers, President & CEO of the former United Way of Monroe County, will retain the President & CEO role for United Way of South Central Indiana.
He said, “We’re looking forward to beginning a listening tour of Brown, Greene, Lawrence, Monroe, Orange, and Owen counties over the next several months and determining how best to focus our regional planning efforts in the future. Each county faces unique challenges, and we will tailor our work accordingly. As we launch the 2023 fundraising season, we also want to assure donors that their communities will be well represented and served; to ensure this, the regional Board of Directors will include members from across the counties we serve.”
“We’re excited for this opportunity to serve the members of our communities who live and work throughout the region,” shared Chris Pierce, Board Chair of the former United Way of Monroe County and current United Way of South Central Indiana.
In the short term, donors, volunteers, and community partners can expect minimal changes. During the upcoming months, www.unitedwaysci.org, social media platforms, communication channels, granting processes, accounting, and fundraising will be updated to reflect the transition.
To learn more about the unification of United Way of South Central Indiana and United Way of Monroe County, view the FAQ below.
Contact Randy Rogers, President & CEO, at randy@monroeunitedway.org with any questions related to the merger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about the unification of United Way of Monroe County and United Way of Lawrence County (d.b.a. United Way of South Central Indiana) serving Brown, Greene, Lawrence, Monroe, Orange, and Owen counties can be found below.
The name United Way of South Central Indiana is a good one – so we kept it!
Not only did the two organizations decide to keep the United Way of South Central Indiana name, but the name was also made the official moniker of the organization whereas previously it had been only a “doing business as” name for United Way of Lawrence County. Throughout the rest of 2023 and into 2024, we will revise documents, materials, websites, and social media platforms to reflect the name and the six-county service area.
The paperwork was approved by the State of Indiana in August 2023.
Discussions began five years ago as casual “what if” conversations. However, a formal exploratory process began in earnest in late 2022 and early 2023. Over the course of several months, the Directors of each Board ironed out the must-haves for community services, representation at the Board level, funding and initiative involvement, and more.
To better serve Brown, Greene, Lawrence, Monroe, Orange, and Owen Counties
The footprint that is now represented is more reflective of the region as a whole. Additionally, this regional approach allows the organization to become more efficient with staffing, give greater attention to rural communities, and boost the efficiency of partner organizations.
Randy Rogers, President & CEO, with an expanded Board of Directors
An expanded Board of Directors, with representatives from each county, will guide the strategic initiatives, while Randy Rogers will continue on as the President and CEO of the organization. Kim Burgess, who was the Executive Director of the (former) United Way of Lawrence County, remains on staff as the Director of Rural Engagement. Kim will work more intensely with rural communities than either organization was able to pre-unification. The Bedford office will be maintained, and Kim will still be a regular active presence, particularly in Lawrence and Orange Counties. United Way of South Central Indiana now operates under the EIN of (former) United Way of Monroe County.
No! The Bloomington and Bedford offices are open as usual.
The Bloomington office is located at 431 S. College Avenue and the Bedford office is located at 931 15th Street (within the Stonegate Arts & Education building).
Moving individuals and families from poverty to possibility
As a Member of the United Way Worldwide network, United Way of South Central Indiana mobilizes communities to close gaps and open opportunities so everyone can thrive.
Nearly half of the families in our region are in, or one emergency away from, poverty – including 30% of families with children and 43% of seniors.
It takes everyone, and United Way of South Central Indiana is rallying our communities to work hand-in-hand. We are moving struggling families from poverty to possibility by addressing the root causes of inequities in health, education, and financial stability across South Central Indiana.
Through conversations with public and private partners and the communities within the new 6-county footprint of the organization, United Way of South Central Indiana will be defining a clear and integrated strategy for future impact based on improving the health, education, and financial stability of every household in Brown, Greene, Lawrence, Monroe, Orange, and Owen counties.
Support to local programs will remain consistent.
During the 2023 workplace fund drive, you may see updated materials with the new name and logo utilized, but the processes you are accustomed to will remain predominantly the same in 2023.
Donations to United Way will continue to fund local programs that help struggling families and individuals move from poverty to possibility.
To maximize the impact of all gifts, United Way of South Central Indiana encourages its generous donors to contribute to the Community Action Fund. United Way of South Central Indiana’s Community Impact Committee, made up of community members throughout the region, invests these funds based on an assessment of our local and regional community’s greatest needs.
About United Way of South Central Indiana: United Way of South Central Indiana is a nonprofit organization that improves the lives and futures of all people in the region. We bring together expertise, funding, and volunteer support to positively impact the resilience of our communities, and those who live within it. In partnership with others, we work to eliminate inequities experienced by low-income and diverse populations so that all people have a safe, healthy home environment, achieve their educational potential, and increase their financial stability. We commit to building bridges across cultural, racial, religious, and economic boundaries. More info www.unitedwaysci.org.