Executive Director's Message

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Since 1957, thanks to the outstanding support of individuals, businesses and service groups in Kootenai County, United Way has been advancing the ‘Common Good’ in our community, and continues to work to make a powerful difference to help those in need locally.

Meeting basic needs and crisis intervention has always been an important element of United Way’s work, and we will continue to take that responsibility seriously. Yet, we know you expect your charitable dollars to truly make a difference. We do too. And it’s the positive, lasting change we are working so hard to achieve.

We believe that Education, Income and Health are the building blocks for a good life. Education is essential to getting and keeping a job. Income is important for economic stability. Good health is critical for everyone. We all win when children and youth are successful in school, when families are financially stable and our neighbors are healthy.

The partnerships we build accomplish much more than any one group on its own.  It takes everyone in a community working collectively to address underlying causes to problems.  This is why the “United” half of our United Way is so important to our work, and why we are inviting you to LIVE UNITED.  Together we can inspire hope and celebrate positive changes that ripple out to our community as a whole.

LIVE UNITED means that together, united, we can accomplish more than any one of us can do alone. And when we reach out a hand to one, we improve the lives of many.

We want you to be a part of the change. We invite you to join us in this important work. Whether you give money, volunteer your time or advocate for solutions in these areas, you are LIVING UNITED.

If you are already a donor or volunteer, thank you for being a vital part of United Way. If not, please read how you can get involved. Together, we are shaping our community and delivering hope to those who need it most. That’s what matters.

Thank you,
Caryl Johnston

Executive Director