Konza United Way

We advance the common good by focusing on the building blocks for a good life: health, education and financial stability. We aspire to drive collaborative community change relating to the health, education, and income needs of our region by improving access to health care, helping children and youth achieve their potential, and promoting financial stability and independence.

Mission

The mission of Konza United Way is "to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities."

History

The Community Chest of Manhattan was founded in 1944. That first year, a group of volunteers worked together to raise $5,800 on behalf of several social service agencies in the community. The Community Chest eventually changed its name to United Way of Riley County and added professional staff. In 2014, United Way of Riley County changed its name to Konza United Way in order to reflect the organization's regional commitment to improving health, education, and income opportunities throughout Clay, Marshall, Pottawatomie, Riley, Wabaunsee, and Washington Counties.

Today, Konza United Way's role has adapted to the changes in our region, and now fundraising is only part of what we do to change lives. We invest our resources — financial, employee, community partnerships — in three specific community impact initiatives: health, education, and income, creating a collaborative effort to impact the critical problems facing our region.

Konza United Way's goal is to create long-lasting change by addressing the underlying causes of problems facing those in need. Advancing the common good is less about helping one person at a time and more about changing systems to help all of us. We are all connected and interdependent. We all win when a child succeeds in school, when families are financially stable, and when people are healthy.

United is the Way to positive change. It takes everyone in the community working together to create a brighter future. Give Back. Get Involved. Take Action.