Our History:
- 1946: The Chamber of Commerce sponsors the start of a Community Chest. Judge Axel Anderson served as the first President for the organization. In the fall, the first campaign started with a goal of $13,400. They surpassed the goal by raising $14,165.
- 1953: Owatonna Community Chest is formally incorporated.
- 1956: The Community Chest expanded its focus following a proposal brought forward by Emery Lindesmith, a school board member. She felt that individual agency campaigns were causing a duplication of efforts and that combining into one larger-scale campaign would generate better results. Thirteen agencies participated in this first year's expansion. The following year the campaign was renamed as The United Fund - one single fund campaign for Owatonna and Steele County.
- 1965: The United Fund reached the goal in back to back years (1964 - 1965) with totals raised now around $50,000
- 1971: The United Fund became the United Way. A "new name for an old concept." The idea that one pledge can work in so many ways.
- 1974: The Owatonna Community Chest becomes United Way of Steele County.
- 1979: Walt Garner became the first official Executive Director of United Way of Steele County - with a campaign goal in 1980 of $175,000.
- 1995: Under then Executive Director, Jonathan Zierdt, the UWSC campaign raised over $500,000 for the first time.
- 2005: Under Executive Director, Evelina Giobbe, the United Way of Steele County revised the Allocations for Funding process. This produced positive outcomes that forged the future for UWSC allocations such as increased agency accountability, increased donor accountability, and an increased ability for volunteers to make better informed and objective recommendations for funding. This also decreased the potential for conflicts of interest as well as a duplication of services.
- 2006: The UWSC campaign eclipsed $750,000 for the first time.
- 2007: Championed by The Owatonna Clinic, the annual campaign raises it's highest total to date. $785,396.
- 2014: The United Way (contracted with Rainbow Research) released a Steele County Community Needs Assessment. Click here to view the report.
- 2015: After serving for 12 years (the longest-serving UWSC Director) Evelina Giobbe announced her retirement. Then Associate Director, Kim Schaufenbuel, was promoted to Executive Director.
- 2016: Serving as the 8th UWSC Executive Director, Kim Schaufenbuel continued the United Way's commitment to helping those in need in Steele County. During her sophmore year, UWSC surpassed it's goal of $700,000. Raising over $703,000 and exceeding the 700K mark for the first time since 2011.
- 2019: Led by local manufacturer AmesburyTruth, the campaign broke the previous record set back in 2007; raising a record-breaking total of $786,045.
- 2020: Kim Schaufenbuel announces her resignation. Replacing Kim as the new UWSC President is Annette Duncan; former Executive Director for Exchange Club Center for Family Unity. In Annette's first campaign as President, she led UWSC to raising it's #3 highest total in campaign history. ($779,201)
- In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, UWSC staff adapt to the need for digital-only outreach and fundraising efforts. This work helps to keep the community connected during a difficult time and ensure that UWSC can continue its efforts to fight for an improved quality of life for everyone in Steele County.
- In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, UWSC staff adapt to the need for digital-only outreach and fundraising efforts. This work helps to keep the community connected during a difficult time and ensure that UWSC can continue its efforts to fight for an improved quality of life for everyone in Steele County.
- 2021: UWSC formally launches a new initiative to serve the community of Blooming Prairie, entitled the Blooming Positive Action Coalition. Overseen by a grant (awarded by MN DHS) funded position, this organization works to address youth substance abuse through preventative methods and in partnership with Blooming Prairie Public Schools.
- Learning that there was now a gap in service, UWSC begins to serve as a tax preparation site. In partnership with United Way Worldwide/My Free Taxes; providing no cost tax preparation for those who qualify. NOTE: UWSC has since received a grant from the IRS and as of the 2023 tax season is now a VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) site. One of the few sites in Minnesota that continue to assist with taxes beyond the April 15 deadline.
- Learning that there was now a gap in service, UWSC begins to serve as a tax preparation site. In partnership with United Way Worldwide/My Free Taxes; providing no cost tax preparation for those who qualify. NOTE: UWSC has since received a grant from the IRS and as of the 2023 tax season is now a VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) site. One of the few sites in Minnesota that continue to assist with taxes beyond the April 15 deadline.
- 2022: UWSC conducts a Community Needs Assessment, providing data necessary to locate gaps in coverage and areas of need. From this, three action teams were formed: Affordable Housing Action Team, Teen Mental Health, and Racial Division.
- UWSC hosts its first Community Summit in order to share the results from the Community Needs Assessment with Steele County. For the next year and a half, these summits continued on a quarterly basis as a means to share updates from the action teams and learn of any new needs from the community.
- UWSC hosts its first Community Summit in order to share the results from the Community Needs Assessment with Steele County. For the next year and a half, these summits continued on a quarterly basis as a means to share updates from the action teams and learn of any new needs from the community.
- 2023: UWSC launches the Adult ESL Drivers Education initiative. This program provides drivers education support and translation services to adults in the community for which English is a second language.
- 2024: Championed by Owatonna Public Schools, the 2024 campaign shattered the previous campaign record set in 2019 by raising a staggering $837,924.
- U.P.L.I.F.T., a new pilot program started to provide support and resources to local youth and families, begins its work to address the root causes of truancy in Steele County.
- UWSC hosts the annual United Ways of Minnesota state-wide conference. Held over two days during the summer, the event brings dozens of United Way staff to Owatonna from all over Minnesota.
- The final week of the year, United Way of Steele County office moves from 1850 Austin Road to the new location at 245 SE 18th St in Owatonna.
- 2025: UWSC unveils its updated mission, vision, and values statements. This move reflects the continued growth and evolution of the organization and the work done throughout Steele County.
- Our rebranding, initiated by United Way Worldwide in October 2024, is finalized. Included in the process are new brandmarks, slogans, impact areas, and messaging tools.
- UWSC begins the early stages of what will be a transition of it's current funding model; to a new solutions based funding model.
Our Community Campaign Leaders (Prior 10 Years):
2025: Mineral Springs Brewery
2024: ISD 761 Owatonna Public Schools
2023: Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism
2022: Viracon Inc
2021: Steele County Free Fair
2020: Wenger Corp
2019: AmesburyTruth
2018: Owatonna Healthcare Campus (Allina Health, Benedictine Living Community, Mayo Clinic Health System)
2017: Federated Insurance
2016: Gopher Sport
Our Executive Director/President History:
2020 - Present: Annette Duncan
2015 - 2020: Kim Schaufenbuel
2003 - 2015: Evelina Giobbe
2000 - 2003: Julie Anderson
1997 - 2000: Kristen Numedahl
1995 - 1997: Jonathan Zierdt
1986 - 1995: Carole Hansen
1983 - 1986: Mary Souter
1979 - 1983: Walt Gorner (First UWSC Director)