Small Business United

Become a stakeholder in our community’s future.

Join a community movement to help solve issues in the areas of health, education, financial stability and basic needs.

Small Business United (SBU) is a group of local businesses with 75 or fewer employees that are committed to investing in creating opportunities for all to thrive in south central Kansas through United Way of the Plains. While United Way has been bringing businesses, individuals and organizations together to advance the common good for more than 100 years, SBU makes philanthropy easier and more rewarding for small businesses throughout the region. When you partner with SBU, you’re helping meet the most pressing needs of the clients you serve every day.

A open sign hangs in the window of a small business.

WHY BECOME A MEMBER?

  • Provide your employees with volunteer and team-building opportunities where they can connect with each other while fostering a corporate culture that gives back locally.
  • Establish a corporate social responsibility program that leads to recruiting and retaining talented employees while positively shaping your business’ reputation.
  • Connect with other like-minded small businesses.
  • Build a stronger local community that will, in turn, support your business.

YOUR MEMBERSHIP FUELS NONPROFIT IMPACT

This year, Small Business United members will generate meaningful impact for the nonprofit ecosystem through the United Way Give Items of Value (GIV) Warehouse. GIV serves as a bridge between corporations with excess products and nonprofits with limited budgets. Local companies and national retailers donate products like bedding, cleaning supplies, and kitchen utensils. Volunteers inventory, organize and display items for nonprofits to access at no cost. Last year, 280 nonprofits shopped at the warehouse 1,350 times, accessing $3.27 million worth of donated goods for free. This program, supported by your membership, allows nonprofits to redirect more of their financial resources into client programming and reduce the burden of fundraising.

Membership Benefits

Enjoy these benefits when you become a SBU member for $250:

  • Social media introduction as a new SBU partner from a member of the team at United Way
  • Complimentary tickets to select United Way community events
  • Invitations to exclusive volunteer opportunities alongside fellow SBU members to see your impact in action
  • Recognition on the SBU webpage, including a link to your company website
  • Access to the official SBU badge to leverage on your website, social media and print materials to showcase your commitment to the community.
A volunteer stocks newly donated items at the Give Items of Value Warehouse for nonprofits to access at no charge.

Did you know, United Way more than doubles the impact of every dollar contributed by leveraging resources, grants, donated goods and volunteers to tackle the needs of our neighbors? Each dollar donated to United Way of the Plains equals $2.41 worth of impact.

Your SBU membership generates $602.50 of impact in our community!

SMALL BUSINESS UNITED MEMBERS

Join us in thanking these organizations who have become members of Small Business United.

*Members who have committed to helping their neighbors thrive for a second year.
** Members who are illustrating their commitment to strengthening our community through a third year of membership. 

QUESTIONS?

Contact Brooklyn Black, United Way Associate Director of Philanthropy, at bblack@unitedwayplains.org or (316) 267‑1321, ext. 4127.