Our Mission
Working together...
...it's what United Way of the Black Hills is all about. Combining our talents and resources to create an efficient way to solve problems, help people and build our community.
We raise money, then distribute it to many of the area's leading nonprofit agencies that provide help to people in need in our community. Each agency we support is then able to spend more of its valuable time, energy and dollars doing what it does best...helping people.
How?
By making it easy to give. With one donation you can help many people because United Way supports many agencies.
By being accountable. Every agency that receives money from United Way adheres to strict accountability standards. And, United Way is audited and evaluated every year, too!
By being effective. There is no simple solution to the problems we face in our community. . . juvenile crime, child abuse, homelessness, hunger. The great news is that by working together we have made significant progress in all of these areas. It isn't just what we say, it's what we do.
By being efficient. Brochures, staff, supplies all cost money, but United Way utilizes volunteers and donated materials to keep these costs down so we can give as much of your donation as possible to the people who need it most. In fact, only 12 cents of every dollar is used for administration.
By helping people here at home. Our donors tell us it is important to them that their donations are used to help local people. When you give to United Way, 100% of your donation stays in the Black Hills to help individuals and families who really need help.
History
Sixty years ago the predecessor to United Way of the Black Hills, the Community Chest, began in Rapid City. Numerous business owners started Community Chest out of concern of the growing number of requests for donations.
During World War II, Rapid City, with a population of 21,000 people, was much different than it is today. There was one high school, one junior high, and a city auditorium. Downtown Rapid City was the only place to shop, the mall was a vast field, and Baken Park was a gas station with flourishing tourist cabins.
Businesses were growing, and Rapid City was experiencing the fastest, steadiest growth in the state. But with that growth came problems. People were in critical need of housing; children were in need of supervision; and soldiers were in need of emotional support.
On Nov. 20, 1944, a joint committee of the Senior and Junior Chambers of Commerce of Rapid City met to discuss the growing concern over donations and to foster plans for the organization of a Community Chest. Business owners wanted to create a community fund which could help many worthy local agencies. They wanted a respected group of community-minded citizens to analyze problems in the area, decide which agencies could best meet the growing needs of the population, then distribute their donations where they would do the most good. Members of that joint committee wanted the convenience of one-stop giving, knowing that one gift could help many, and in turn saving the business owner time from answering multiple requests for money.
On March 12, 1945, this idea was put into practice, and papers were signed to begin the Community Chest of Rapid City, which was headed by R.W. Hitchcock, publisher of the Rapid City Journal. The first fund drive was held during that year, and $45,000 was subsequently distributed to Boy Scouts, Cactus Patch, Girl Scouts, Salvation Army, War Relief Fund, and YWCA.
On June 9, 1972, a disastrous flood devastated Rapid City. Homes and businesses were destroyed, and many lives were lost.
History tells us that following disaster, more money and assistance of all types are needed. Rapid City was not immune to the tremendous requests for help. United Way and its agencies played a major role in helping to rebuild the city, and console grieving families. Rebuilding was swift and the results were amazing in the redevelopment of Rapid City. Schools were being built, businesses were once again thriving, and the future of Rapid City was encouraging. A state-of-the-art civic center was built and became the center of many new activities not only for Rapid City but the entire Black Hills.
As the needs of the community and Black Hills changed, so has United Way. Six years ago United Way of Rapid City changed its named to United Way of the Black Hills, and expanded into the Sturgis community. In 2003, the Northern Hills Area United Way, which encompasses the communities of Lead, Deadwood, Spearfish, and Belle Fourche, was formed.
United Way of the Black Hills is a way to keep our communities strong. It's neighbor helping neighbor. Through United Way, the Black Hills community is able to raise thousands of dollars each year. There is no better way to help so many agencies and individuals as conveniently and effectively as through United Way.
Today, after 61 years of being in operation, United Way of the Black Hills continues to help those in need. Today, money raised from United Way's annual fundraising campaign helps to fund the budgets of 45 agencies.
Director's Message
It has been a privilege to serve as the executive director of United Way of the Black Hills for the past 15 years. I have lived in Rapid City all my life and never have I learned as much about our community as I have by being a part of United Way and the exceptional people who support the United Way system.
Every day I see firsthand the value of volunteerism; people who give of their time, talent and money to help others. Whatever challenge comes our way, individuals step up to lend a hand. It may be something as small as a random act of kindness, or something as massive as helping hundreds of people who instantly lost their jobs when a fire destroyed the plant in which they worked. Whatever the case, the people of this community always go the extra mile to help those in need.
One thing is for certain, no matter what your problems may be, the best cure is to reach out to help someone else. When you do, something magical happens, a phenomenon that the people of this community must have figured out a long time ago.
-Renee Parker