About Us
We believe the caring power of community can provide everyone the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Founded in 1959 in Grand Junction, Colorado, United Way of Mesa County (UWMC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that raises money from the community to fund local programs that address community concerns.
Impact Areas
Sixty-five years serving Mesa County. Programs funded by UWMC currently serve about 50,000 people in Mesa County.
UWMC funds programs provided by health and human service agencies in Mesa County. This year, we are funding 34 programs at 26 different local nonprofit agencies. The programs address a variety of social problems focused on:
Youth Opportunity
Impact focus for July–October
Helping Young People Realize Their Full Potential
Financial Security
Impact Focus for November — February
Building financial stability and strength
Healthy Community
Impact Focus for March — June
Improving health and well-being for all in Mesa CountyMore than a Fundraising Organization
United Way of Mesa County does what no single organization can do. We connect and mobilize resources, people, and passion in strategic ways to achieve our goals, transform Mesa County, and change the story for thousands of people. Learn more about our widespread impact here.
Community Governed
United Way of Mesa County facilitates community collaboration to insure the community’s needs are being addressed and provides education, information and referral to the community at large.
Community Investment Process
We feel the people who donate the money should be a part of giving it away. Volunteers, people like you, serve on our community investment panels each grant cycle. These panels review the grant applications from the agencies and make site visits to help determine which programs are most effective and efficient at delivering services our community needs.
UWMC is governed by a local Board of Directors. All funding and policy decisions are made locally. United Way Worldwide provides training, marketing support and help with national accounts.
How do we know the needs?
From the results of community needs assessments, from Western Colorado 2-1-1 data, from community conversations, and from funded program data and outcomes.
How do we tackle the issues?
Volunteers study the data and make investment decisions during our Community Investment Process. Every funded program is carefully evaluated throughout the year to make sure we’re achieving measurable outcomes. The annual campaign funds our work.
Click here for a list of programs that are currently being funded by United Way of Mesa County.
How to Help
Donate. Volunteer. Advocate.
There are many ways community members can support United Way of Mesa County. Join us to GIVE, ADVOCATE, VOLUNTEER and spread the word about our work.
Our Team
Faith Rodriguez
Executive Director
Keira Auld
Community Impact & Outreach Manager
Keira has been with United Way of Mesa County since July 2021, where she oversees four key community impact programs: United to Solve Homelessness, the Mesa County Imagination Library, Volunteer United, and United for Child Care. In addition to managing these programs, she is responsible for organizing events, leading marketing efforts, and assisting with grant management. With 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, including 13 years in animal welfare, Keira brings a deep commitment and passion to her work. Outside of United Way, Keira serves on the Board of Directors for the Community Impact Council and was appointed to the Community Services Block Grant Tripartite Advisory Committee in 2024.
Cassidy Lujan
Donor & Grants Manager
Cassidy is a Grand Junction native and a Colorado Mesa University alum. She has her MBA from the University of Mary and worked in healthcare until completing her degrees. It has always been important to her to work in an organization that supports and respects the community and that is why she is very excited and passionate about being on the United Way of Mesa County team. In Cassidy’s free time, you can find her spending time with her family, skiing at Powderhorn, and playing the piano.
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
President
- Tina Harkness, Esq., SPHR
- General Counsel
- Employers Council
Vice President
- Terri Hoffman
- CEO and Founder
- Marketing Refresh
Treasurer
- Tami Beard
- Sr. VP / Senior Commercial Loan Officer
- Bank of the San Juans
Board Members
- Christian Mueller
Retired Executive Director
Center for Education and Counseling - Jennifer Campos
Advertising Manager
GJ Media, Inc. - Chandler Cole, M.S. CCC-SLP
Early Intervention Speech Therapist
STRiVE - Erika Hoy
Quality Improvement Manager
Minds Springs Health - Selena Sanchez
Director of Marketing and Communications
Grand Junction Economic Partnership - Brandon Stam
Executive Director
Downtown Development Authority - Anne Pearson, M.D.
SVP and CEO
Physicians Memorial Herman
In the News
Western Slope Now
October 2, 2024
Day of Action is a community-wide initiative to connect community members with volunteer projects benefitting nonprofits and other local organizations.
KJCT News 8, ABC
September 24, 2024
United Way of Mesa County educates community on homelessness issues, United Way of Mesa County held a Community Education Workshop to discuss homelessness in Mesa County.
Western Slope Now
August 23, 2024
United Way of Mesa County is hosting an upcoming festival filled with various family activities. The event is also a location to learn how several nonprofits are bettering the community.
Mesa County
July 30, 2024
The Mesa County Regional Opioid Settlement grant application is now open and the Board is seeking proposals for programs that address treatment, recovery, and prevention and education efforts.