Bridging the Past and Future: A Centennial Reflection

As 2025 draws to a close, so too does our Centennial year. For 100 years, United Way of Southeast Minnesota has been a bridge—not built of steel and stone, but of people, generosity, and trust. Since our founding in 1925 as the Community Chest of Rochester, we’ve united neighbors, businesses, and partners to strengthen the fabric of our region. And over the past century, tens of thousands have crossed that bridge: families seeking stability, students reaching for opportunity, and communities responding to crisis.

Throughout this year I’ve been reminded of the milestones that shaped our journey. From the first million-dollar campaign in 1978 to the flood response in 2008, from the first Day of Caring in 2000 to the thousands of books distributed to children over the years—each moment reflects the power of collective action.

But this year has never been just about looking back. It’s about gratitude—and resolve.

We are deeply grateful for the lives changed: children entering kindergarten ready to learn, families moving from crisis to stability, seniors staying safely in their homes. We’ve invested over $150 million into Southeast Minnesota, but the true measure of that investment is the hope it has sparked and the futures it has shaped.

And yet, we know our work is far from done.

Today, more than 20,000 households in our region fall into the ALICE category—hardworking families earning too much to qualify for assistance, but not enough to make ends meet. The current environment makes it more important than ever that we have a strong United Way to ensure basic needs are met and every person has a promising future.

When the waters rise—literally or figuratively—United Way has never stood on the shore and watched. We roll up our sleeves, reach out a hand, and build a path forward. 

Your Gift Matters

One hundred years ago, United Way was created to help our neighbors. Today, we’re still here—investing in programs that strengthen our community and offering free resources that help families thrive.

Your gift today will keep this work going strong into the next century. Together, we can make sure families have safe housing, healthy food, quality education, and more. Your support helps local families survive today and thrive tomorrow.

Let’s keep writing new stories of hope and resilience for Southeast Minnesota.

Thank you for powering United Way’s work and the moments that shape our community.

Here’s to the next 100 years.