Missouri Employers Mutual President and CEO Jim Owen recently kicked off the community campaign for the Heart of Missouri United Way.
This year, the campaign goal is $3 million, and Owen is serving as community campaign chair, helping to lead the efforts of a network of campaign volunteers that when combined, donate more than 10,000 hours annually. The theme of this year’s campaign is “Building futures, together.”
MEM has a long history with the Heart of Missouri United Way, and over the past 27 years, employees have given more than $1 million to the campaign.
Owen has been working behind the scenes to prepare to serve as community campaign chair since January. He has served as a volunteer for the United Way since he began as CEO at MEM more than a decade ago.
“When I returned to Columbia, I found my way back to the United Way with a desire to Pay it Forward,” Owen said. “The United Way had just started a Community Impact model which required the organizations receiving funds to show a return on investment – in improving the health, education and/or financial stability of the people (and the community) they serve. I have been all-in on that model working with them since.”
The Heart of Missouri United Way serves 29 nonprofit agencies with 45 grants, and Owen has been visiting with them one-on-one leading up to the campaign.
“I’ve learned how well all of these agencies partner together to bring the best outcomes for the people in our community,” Owen said. “The amazing integration of services between agencies is a web of partnerships that is a necessary wonder.”
About the Heart of Missouri United Way
The Heart of Missouri United Way seeks to “remove barriers to health, education, and financial stability by forging strategic partnerships, fostering effective solutions, harnessing the best resources, and inspiring others to join the fight.”