ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — United Way of Greater St. Joseph officially kicked off its 2026 Annual Campaign on Thursday, September 3, bringing together community partners, supporters and volunteers at Mosaic Life Care Foundation’s emPowerU to celebrate the start of another campaign season
This year’s campaign theme, POWERING POSSIBILITY, highlights what is possible when individuals, businesses and organizations come together to strengthen the local community.
During the event, United Way announced that pacesetter organizations and their employees have already pledged $724,434.18 to the 2026 United Way Campaign. Pacesetter organizations conduct their workplace campaigns early, helping build momentum and setting the pace for the communitywide campaign. Pacesetter organizations included several United Way Partner Agencies, Vektek, Commerce Bank, Nestle Purina PetCare and Altec Industries, Inc.
“We are incredibly grateful to our pacesetter organizations and their employees for starting this campaign strong,” said Renita Neville, Campaign Director at United Way of Greater St. Joseph. “Their generosity is a powerful example of what can happen when our community works together. Every pledge, partnership and person who gets involved helps create opportunities and open doors for our neighbors.”
The kick-off also highlighted 2026 Campaign Co-Chairs Mike Hurst and Royal {RT} Turner, who will help lead this year’s campaign and encourage businesses, organizations and individuals throughout the community to get involved in POWERING POSSIBILITY.
The morning included the premiere of United Way’s 2026 Campaign Video, which shares the story of a local family and demonstrates how community support helps create opportunities and possibilities for people throughout our community.
United Way also recognized the Essig Family McDonald’s and the St. Joseph Mustangs for their support of the 2026 Campaign. Through fundraising efforts this summer, the partnership has generated $5,500 for United Way, with additional contributions still to come. United Way also thanked the Mustangs Extra Base Club sponsors whose participation and support helped make the effort possible.
As the 2026 Campaign gets underway, United Way will continue visiting businesses and organizations throughout the community to share how local contributions make an impact.
Funds raised during the 2026 United Way Campaign will support United Way Partner Agencies and Initiatives providing important services to individuals and families throughout Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas in 2027.
Community volunteers will meet in December to help determine how dollars raised through the Campaign will be allocated among United Way’s Partner Agencies, Initiatives and grants.
To learn more about the 2026 United Way Campaign, schedule a workplace campaign, view the 2026 Campaign Video or donate, visit https://www.stjosephunitedway.org/poweringpossibility
Together, we are POWERING POSSIBILITY across Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas.