Once a year Drake University employees are invited to support United Way of Central Iowa, focused on the 5 Elements of a Thriving Community: Essential Needs, Early Childhood Success, Education Success, Economic Opportunity, and Health & Well-Being.

The 2026 United Way faculty, staff, and student campaign will be held November 9-13. All faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to participate. Your optional participation can be in one of three ways: financial, volunteering, and/or supply donations. If we hit our campaign participation goal of 30%, faculty & staff will have the full-day as a paid holiday, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving! (instead of a half-day)

The campaign will kick-off on Monday, November 9 with an email to faculty & staff from Mary Sellers from United Way of Central Iowa. Some highlights to share:

• The campaign is part of our identity, being proudly of our place, celebrating our neighborhood, our city, and our many partnerships
• One hundred percent of the funds donated remain in central Iowa (Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties)
• 1 in 3 central Iowa households is unable to afford basic needs
• United Way financially supports many organizations that are partners with Drake including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa

Three Ways to Give

1) Financial Support: Drake faculty & staff are welcomed to make financial contributions to the campaign, and we have giving level incentives to celebrate our participation. (see below) From free parking passes, many Starbucks gift-cards, Drake merch., basketball game tickets, and more! See below for more details and thank you to our many campus partners who made these incentives possible.

2) Donate Supplies: Everyone is welcomed to support our supply drive.The supply drive is in support of DMARC with the following items needed most:

• Personal care products (toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, bar soap, etc.)
• Laundry detergent
• Cleaning supplies
• Toilet paper
• Period products (tampons, pads)
• Diapers (especially sizes 4 and up)
• Baby wipes

DMARC has a network of food pantries around the metro, including right by Drake. Please drop off your supplies in the Olmsted breezeway between 11:30am and 1:30pm Monday, November 9 through Thursday, November 12.

3) Volunteer: Lastly, you can volunteer with the many volunteer opportunities through the United Way of Central Iowa or DUGood for students. For faculty & staff that volunteer, please let Nate Reagen know so it counts towards our participation goal.

If you have any questions or do not receive the email from Mary Sellers on November 9th and wish to participate, please reach out to Nate Reagen.

Thank you for your support and generosity in advance!

The drawing for the incentives above will be held on Monday, 11/16 with winners notified the same day.