The United Way of Central Iowa today released its 2025 annual report about the health of the community. At its annual Live United celebration luncheon at Prairie Meadows, United Way leaders discussed the report results with hundreds of community leaders. Some of the insights include:

• Essential needs: 1 in 10 Central Iowans are food insecure, and more than 43% of renters are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing. United Way is addressing these challenges through initiatives like OpportUNITY and LINC, which focus on food security, housing stability and economic mobility.
• Economic opportunity: Among Iowa’s 20 most common jobs, 40% pay less than $20 per hour, making it difficult for working families to make ends meet.
• Early childhood success: 76% of Central Iowa children under age 6 have all caregivers in the workforce.
• Education success: Chronic absenteeism remains a challenge, with 24% of Central Iowa students missing school at concerning rates. United Way’s support for mentorship programs, career readiness initiatives and postsecondary planning helps bridge the gap.
• Health and well-being: 1 in 4 Iowa adults and 21% of youths experience mental health challenges. United Way’s investments in health advocacy and coalition work, such as CAMHI4Kids and Oral Health Iowa, focus on reducing barriers to care.

The 2025 Community Report illustrates the ongoing challenges of ALICE (asset-limited, income-constrained, employed) individuals and families, who make up 35% of Central Iowa households.

“Our work is about more than numbers, it’s about people,” said Mary Sellers, president of United Way of Central Iowa, in a press release. “The LIVE UNITED celebration is a moment to recognize the incredible efforts of our community in addressing complex challenges, and the 2025 Community Report highlights the areas we’re focusing on as we move forward.”

2025 Live United Award Winners
At the luncheon, United Way honored the 2025 Live United Award winners ― individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional dedication to improving lives in Central Iowa. This year’s honorees include:

• Spirit of Central Iowa Award: Holmes Murphy, recognized for their outstanding commitment to philanthropy and volunteerism in the community.
• Live United Leader Awards: These awards recognize individuals for their exceptional efforts in giving, advocating and volunteering to create lasting change in Central Iowa.  

o   Jacquie Easley McGhee, division director of health equity, diversity and inclusion, MercyOne

o   Pastor Eugene Kiruhura, executive director of Shalom Community Impact Center

o   Glen Hall (posthumous), retired from Athene

o  Chris Costa, president and CEO of Knapp Properties

• Live United Champion Awards: These awards honor organizations for their innovative and sustained dedication to United Way of Central Iowa’s mission and their impact on our community over the past year.

o   Athene

o   Casey’s

o   Des Moines Public Schools

o   Federal Home Loan Bank

o   F&G

o   Farm Bureau Financial Services

o   John Deere

o   Hearst Corp., doing business as CDS Global and KCCI-TV

o   Knapp Properties

o   Merchants Bonding Co.

o   McGill Junge Wealth Management

o   Shazam

o   Wellabe

“Addressing central Iowa’s most pressing issues requires collaboration across sectors and deep engagement from our community members,” said Sellers. “Together, we can create a brighter future in which every Central Iowan has the opportunity to thrive.”

To read the full 2025 Community Report, visit unitedwaydm.org.