Mission
The Watertown Area United Way is a non-profit community based volunteer organization whose purpose is to assist in meeting human care needs of Watertown Area residents.
Three Key United Way Focus Areas
Watertown Area United Way supports agency programs who provide education for all ages, better health in all forms, and establish financial stability for Watertown residents.
United Way Partners
2-1-1 Helpline Center
Family Wize
Watertown Regional Library
United Way Initiatives
Delta Dental Mobile
Dolly Parton Imagination Library
United Way Agency Programs
American Red Cross Serving Eastern South Dakota
Beacon Center
Boys and Girls Club of Watertown, Inc.
Codington County Drug Court
Codington County Historical Society
Codington County Search & Rescue
Community Transit of Watertown, Inc.
D.A.R.E.
East Central Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
Embe, Girls on the Run
Girl Scouts, Dakota Horizons
Human Service Agency, Project Success
Human Service Agency, Serenity Hills
Interlakes Community Action Partnership, Delta Dental Mobile
Interlakes Community Action Partnership, Hamlin/Deuel County School Supplies
Interlakes Community Action Partnership, Head Start Office Rent
Interlakes Community Action Partnership, Head Start Pre-Birth to Five Supplies
Interlakes Community Action Partnership, Sixties Plus Dinning
Interlakes Community Action Partnership, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Lake Area Zoological Society
Lake Area Technical College - Adult Education & Literacy Program
Lutheran Social Services, Center for Financial Resources
Lutheran Social Services, Behavior Health Services
Lutheran Social Services, MRT Domestic Violence
The Salvation Army of Watertown
Senior Companions of South Dakota
Sioux Council Boy Scouts of America
Watertown Area people Against Child Hunger (PACH)
Watertown Area Swim Club
Watertown Baseball Association
Watertown Fire Rescue, Community Risk Reduction Smoke & CO Alarm Program
Watertown Lacrosse Club
Watertown Laker Hockey Association
Watertown Parks & Recreation, Adult/Senior Activities
Watertown Parks & Recreation, Youth Baseball & Softball Program
Watertown Figure Skating Club
Watertown Volunteer Center
Watertown Youth Soccer Association (WYSA)
Watertown Area United Way Bylaws
To download a copy of the WAUW Bylaws click here.
About the Watertown Area United Way
The Watertown Area United Way funds 40 agencies and is a leader in the non profit and philanthropic community. The Watertown Area United Way goes beyond just raising funds for local non profits. It serves as a catalyst to encourage non profits to collaborate and work together to meet the needs of our community.
Watertown Area United Way Community Outreach
In addition, to 40 agencies Watertown Area United Way puts on two important programs in the Watertown Area. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library and the Delta Dental Mobile are fully funded by Watertown Area United Way. Since 2002 the Dolly Parton Imagination Library has provided thousands of local youth ,ages 0 to 5 years old, a free book on a monthly basis. Currently, in 2022 there are 720 youth in the program with applications coming in every day.
Another program fully supported by United Way is the Delta Dental Mobile. Since the first visit in 2011 over 450 youth have received dental care at no cost to the family. From the first tooth to 21 years of age Watertown youth are provided preventative, diagnostic, and restorative dental procedures. No insurance is needed for this program. The value of dental care done in 2019 was $33,839 and 49 youth were served. Even with the obstacles presented in 2020 with COVID-19 the Dental Mobile was still able to come to Watertown. In 2020, $28,498 in care was provided to 56 youth and in 2021, $77,908 to 90 youth. In 2022, The Delta Dental Mobile will change location to the Watertown Area Regional Library located at
To learn more about out latest news click here.
To see our latest 990 on our Guide Star profile click here.
United Way History Highlights
1971 United Way of Watertown, Inc. formed. Prior to this it was called Community Chest.
1984 $100,000 raised for the first time
1987 United Way Accounts are computerized and Loaned Executive Program Implemented
1988 $200,000 is raised for the first time
1989 Heart Club Program implemented (leadership giving)
1989 Employee giving exceeds corporate giving for the first time
1993 $300,000 raised
1996 $471,000 raised
1998 Campaign Divisions were revised, $500,000 raised for the first time
1999 $531,532 raised
2002 $590,000 raised
2005 $637,472 raised
2006 First Chrome Cruise with Harley Davidson held. Full time Executive Director hired
2009 $671,512 raised – First ever United Way Radiothon held with KXLG 99.1 FM
2014 United Way raises over $725,000 for the first time
2016 The Watertown Area United Way had it's most successful campaign to date with the addition of the Montgomery's Room Makeover Sweepstakes, raising over $740,000
2020 Watertown Area United Way celebrates 50 years of serving the Watertown Area community.
2021 The "Unwrap the Future" Pop-Tart, United Way Worldwide $2,500 grant is awarded to a Florence, SD teen recipient. (Florence High School student wins national award and $2,500 grant - Go Watertown)
