An idea spawned by the Routt County United Way in early spring has quickly come to fruition, and Moffat County United Way and Routt County United Way will merge into one organization, effective Sept. 1.

Boards of both groups came to the decision to join forces to widen the pool of resources, strengthen the services of United Way, and close gaps by forming a program for the entire region. 

In a recent news release, the group announced the creation of United Way of the Yampa Valley, stating it will uphold the mission shared by both organizations: to advance the common good in the Yampa Valley by improving education, strengthening financial stability, and promoting community well-being.

Rio Blanco, previously a part of Moffat United Way, will also be able to benefit from the newly created United Way of the Yampa Valley.

Kate Nowak, current director of Routt County United Way, will take on the role of director and chief operating officer for the merged organization.

The group will launch its fall campaign as a unified entity to raise funds for the communities. Nowak noted this change will merge the two entities’ grant processes, which she says will simplify things for everyone involved. 

Executive Director of Moffat County United Way Heather Fross, who will remain in her current position, said there was no hesitation on their end to move forward with the merger.

“Board and staff were really excited about the merger; the board voted unanimously in favor of it,” Fross said. “This gives us more time and resources to have a meaningful impact on our community.”

The group intends to immediately begin working together in joint committee work. Nowak said the respective boards will merge into one board. Fross noted that Moffat United Way gave all board members the chance to be on the joint board and five of the current board members took the opportunity. The others, who are in support of the merger, are either nearing their board term limits or having busy work lives. 

“Already, our combined staff and board members are having meaningful conversations and planning sessions to make this merger successful, which will result in improving the lives of individuals and families in Northwest Colorado and better supporting the local agencies doing remarkable work in our communities,” Shelli Steele, Moffat County United Way board chair, noted in the press release. 

Routt County United Way currently has 40 community partners. Nowak and Fross said the merger will result in an increase in partnerships. 

“I think one of the barriers that was really cumbersome in Moffat was its grant process, and we’re going to streamline that through joining forces and hopefully get even more applicants,” Nowak said. “That way we can help more people.”

Most existing staffers will remain in their positions with new opportunities available within the expanded organization. The group encourages individuals who are passionate about making a difference in the Yampa Valley to apply for the open positions. 

Both Routt and Moffat County United Way offices, mailing addresses and phone numbers will remain the same.