United Way - Decatur & Mid-Illinois

At United Way of Decatur & Mid Illinois, our board members are more than leaders — they are changemakers helping create lasting impact across our community. 💙

Meet Board Chair Gary Genenbacher, whose passion for community and commitment demonstrate his dedication to United Way of Decatur & Mid Illinois not only as Board Chair but also by serving on Community Investment Panels. By taking the time to learn about local needs and evaluate community programs, he brings valuable perspective back to the Board.

Gary reminds us: “United is the Way to ensure that United Way remains deeply connected to the community and committed to investing resources where they can make the greatest local impact."

Thank you, Gary, for your leadership, dedication, and belief in building a stronger, more connected community for all.

Dr. Juanita Morris - June 1, 2026 - Byers & Co. Interviews June 1, 2026 - Dr. Juanita Morris joined Byers & Co to talk about DCLI programming, their partnership with DMH, and the ag center. Listen to the podcast now!

Mark your calendars for Food Truck Frenzy - Saturday, September 12th! This year we've partnered with Macon Co. Conservation District's Fall Festival.

We had so much fun last night at the BeanBallers game during Nonprofit Night! ⚾

A special shoutout to our very own James Keith for throwing out the first pitch and representing United Way of Decatur & Mid-Illinois so well.

We’re incredibly excited to have the BeanBallers as part of our community and grateful for their support of local nonprofits and community impact initiatives. Events like this are a great reminder of how sports, community, and giving back can all come together to make a difference.

Thank you, BeanBallers, for supporting the organizations working every day to strengthen our community! 💛

Early learning is so important. If you know any kiddos, birth to five, make sure they are signed up for Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
https://uwdecatur.org/DPIL

Being ready for school is about more than letters and numbers.

It’s curiosity, confidence, and feeling supported from day one.

Through United Way early learning supports, 80% of children were ready to start kindergarten with the skills and confidence they needed to succeed.

Today we are celebrating Desir'ee, UGI DCLI Workforce Manager, on her graduation!
Watching Desir'ee continue to grow, work hard, and pursue her goals has been such an exciting thing to see. She recently earned her Associate’s Degree in Communications while also being part of the Honors Program and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. She is now continuing her education at the University of Illinois Springfield studying Educational Psychology.
Through her work with Adult Programming, College Scholars, and the Internship Program, Desir'ee brings encouragement, leadership, and genuine care to the people she works with every day. Her passion for helping others and dedication to education truly shines through in everything she does.
We are so proud of her and all she has accomplished, and we cannot wait to see what’s next for her journey.
Congratulations, Desir'ee! 🎓

Yesterday, tough decisions were made! Heartwarming stories of impact were told... And once again, we had the privilege of welcoming an incredible group of volunteers into our office to take part in one of the most important—and most difficult—parts of our work.
Throughout the day, they listened to presentations from local nonprofits, asked thoughtful questions, and carefully evaluated the many needs that exist across our community. Each organization shared powerful stories and critical challenges, making every funding decision incredibly tough.
There are never enough resources to fully meet every need, and these volunteers carried the weight of those decisions with compassion, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility. They understood that behind every discussion are real people, families, and programs depending on support.
Because of their dedication and willingness to engage in these challenging conversations, critical funding will help strengthen programs and provide support where it’s needed most across our community.
To our volunteers: thank you for your time, your thoughtfulness, and your heart. We are deeply grateful for your commitment to this process and the care you showed every step of the way. 💛