Community impact doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built one relationship, one conversation, and one small act of generosity at a time.
That’s exactly the kind of work Klair Black, Workforce Engagement Director at United Way of Central Minnesota, shows up to do every day.
In a recent episode of Behind the Brand, we sat down with Klair to talk about her path into nonprofit work, the reality of community needs in Central Minnesota, and how businesses and individuals can plug in to make a real difference—without needing a huge budget or a ton of extra time.
From PR Grad to Community Connector
Klair’s story starts at St. Cloud State University, where she studied public relations, advertising, and applied communication. Like many marketing and comms grads, she first imagined herself in a traditional business or agency role.
Instead, her career became a masterclass in people-first work:
- Staffing agency: Helping job seekers connect with employers and navigate the hiring process.
- Higher education: Eight years in admissions, recruiting students and supporting their next steps.
- Nonprofit work: A move to Catholic Charities for a more family-friendly schedule—and a deeper mission.
- United Way of Central Minnesota: Where she now blends marketing, relationship-building, and community impact.
Today, as Workforce Engagement Director, Klair’s role is all about connection. She partners with local companies to run United Way campaigns, engages employees in giving and volunteering, and helps them see the local impact of their support all year long—not just during a single fundraising push.
“I’m engaging workforces,” she jokes, “and trying to make sure they see how what they give really matters right here at home.”
What United Way of Central Minnesota Actually Does
Most people recognize the United Way name, but not everyone understands how local it really is.
United Way of Central Minnesota is its own 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with programs and funding decisions shaped specifically around the needs of this region—Stearns, Benton, and parts of Sherburne and Wright County.
Here’s how it works in practice:
- Local dollars stay local. When businesses and individuals give to United Way of Central Minnesota, those funds are invested back into Central Minnesota programs.
- Nonprofits apply for funding. Every two years, local nonprofit organizations submit grant applications for specific programs.
- Community volunteers help decide. Volunteers—not just staff—review those applications to ensure they align with United Way’s mission and focus areas. Their recommendations go to the board for final approval.
The demand is huge. In a single funding cycle, United Way can see around $3 million in requests—far more than they’re able to award. Even so, they’re still contributing close to $1 million back into the community through local partners and programs.
That gap between need and capacity is exactly why workplace campaigns, individual giving, and corporate support matter so much.
Programs That Meet Real Needs Close to Home
United Way of Central Minnesota doesn’t just pass funds along—it also runs a handful of key programs directly, based on local gaps and needs.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (Local Chapter)
If you’re a parent in Central Minnesota, you’ve probably heard of Imagination Library—the beloved book program founded by Dolly Parton.
Locally, United Way of Central Minnesota:
- Enrolls children from birth to age five within its service area
- Sends one free book every month to each enrolled child
- Helps families build at-home libraries (up to 60 books per child) and support kindergarten readiness
Dolly might send the sweet birthday emails (yes, really), but she doesn’t cover the cost. United Way of Central Minnesota fundraises entirely for this program—books, shipping, everything.
With 6,000–7,000 kids currently enrolled, the costs add up quickly. That’s where events like Progressive Dinner (we’ll get to that in a bit) and corporate sponsorships come in.
Days of Caring
If you’ve ever scrolled LinkedIn in September and seen matching t-shirts, paint brushes, and yard bags everywhere… you’ve witnessed Days of Caring.
What started as a one-day effort is now a week-long, community-wide volunteer event that brings together:
- Individuals
- Families
- Teams from local businesses
In 2024, over 600 volunteers served at nonprofits across Central Minnesota, saving those organizations an estimated $85,000 in labor and project costs. From outdoor clean-up to painting to small repairs, these acts of service give nonprofits room to focus their staff time and resources on mission-critical work.
Seasonal Drives and Special Initiatives
Throughout the year, United Way of Central Minnesota helps coordinate practical, high-impact drives, including:
- Socks and underwear drive – Getting basic essentials into local schools so kids have what they need when accidents happen or winter gear gets soaked.
- School supply drive – Offsetting the financial burden on families as back-to-school lists grow longer and more expensive.
- United for Christmas – A holiday initiative that partners with schools and nonprofits to identify families who need extra support. Parents “shop” donated gifts, kids enjoy activities (hello, Lego room), and families go home with presents and even a free family photo.
- Food drive support – Including March Food Share and Pack the Porches, helping refill food shelves when post-holiday donations drop off.
One of the most powerful stories Klair shared was about their mattress program. After partnering with a local furniture business that donated 50 mattresses, United Way volunteers discovered something sobering: almost none of those mattresses were replacing old ones.
The kids simply… didn’t have beds.
That realization pushed the program to expand—not just mattresses, but sheets, pillows, blankets, and the comfort and dignity that come with a real place to sleep.
How Businesses Can Get Involved (Beyond Writing a Check)
If you’re a business owner or leader, your impact goes far beyond what you give personally.
Klair sees it all the time: employees want to help, but they’re rarely given simple, structured ways to get involved. When companies partner with United Way, they unlock both.
Workplace Giving Campaigns
A United Way campaign can be as simple or creative as you’d like:
- Payroll deduction (e.g., $5–$10 per pay period)
- One-time gifts
- Special events that double as team-building:
- Chili cook-offs
- Bean bag tournaments
- Meat raffles
- 50/50 drawings
- “Pie your boss in the face” fundraisers (always a favorite)
- Chili cook-offs
United Way supports companies with planning, presentations, ideas, and resources so internal teams don’t have to figure it out alone.
Curated Volunteer Experiences
For teams that want to roll up their sleeves, United Way can help design custom volunteer projects, such as:
- Packing snack kits for kids to take home on weekends
- Assembling hygiene packs
- Tying fleece blankets for local families
- Group volunteer projects during Days of Caring
It’s a powerful way to build culture while doing something meaningful together.
A Signature Event: Progressive Dinner for Imagination Library
One of United Way of Central Minnesota’s most unique fundraisers is Progressive Dinner, the primary annual event that supports Imagination Library.
Over two weekends (late April and early May), guests:
- Start at a reception home
- Break into small groups of 10
- Rotate through different homes for appetizers, main courses, and dessert
- Experience themed menus—from “Kansas City Blues” to “Bring the Fire” and beyond
Local hosts open their homes, chefs donate their time, and sponsors help underwrite the event. Because the venues and food are donated, overhead stays low, and more of each $175 ticket goes directly toward covering book costs.
To put it in perspective:
- About $150 covers all 60 books for one child from birth to age five.
- A single couple’s tickets can sponsor two children for five full years of books.
- A host serving 10 guests helps cover books for 10 kids—a tangible, immediate impact.
Businesses can get involved as sponsors, hosts, chefs, or attendees—and it’s a seriously fun night out that benefits local kids.
The Realities of Community Need (and Why Compassion Matters)
One of the most important parts of Klair’s work isn’t just fundraising—it’s inviting people to see their neighbors with more empathy.
She points to what United Way calls ALICE households:
Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.
These are families who are working—sometimes multiple jobs—but still can’t comfortably afford basic needs. In Central Minnesota, around 36% of households fall into this category. They’re often one unexpected event away from crisis: a car repair, a health issue, a rent increase.
On top of that, mental health challenges cut across every demographic line—age, income, race, background. When we assume someone simply “isn’t trying hard enough,” we ignore the complex realities many neighbors are quietly facing.
Klair’s invitation is simple:
Lead with compassion. Assume you don’t know someone’s full story.
And when you can help—help.
Simple Ways to Start Giving Back Today
You don’t have to start a foundation or sponsor a whole program to make a difference. Here are a few easy on-ramps Klair recommends:
- Give a little, regularly. If your workplace runs a United Way campaign, consider a small payroll deduction each pay period. You’ll barely feel it—but the cumulative impact is huge.
- Volunteer your time. Tie blankets, pack snack kits, join Days of Caring, or raise your hand for a seasonal drive. A couple of hours can go a long way.
- Advocate and connect. Join an investment committee, share opportunities with your network, or simply point friends and coworkers to United Way when they ask, “How can I help?”
And if you’re a business owner or leader?
Reach out to United Way of Central Minnesota and talk with Klair’s team. They’ll meet you where you’re at—whether that’s starting your first campaign, sponsoring Progressive Dinner, or designing a custom volunteer project for your staff.
Because building stronger communities isn’t about one big moment. It’s about all of us, doing what we can, together.
Tune In and Get Inspired
Tune in to the full episode of Behind the Brand featuring Klair Black to hear these stories firsthand, get ideas your business can run with, and get inspired to make your own impact in Central Minnesota.
