PLATTEVILLE, Sept. 2 — Ordinarily the campaign year of United Way Platteville begins this month.
But not anymore.
Leadership of United Way Platteville decided to dissolve and asked United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States to expand its current Grant County service area to include Platteville and its surrounding communities, effective Aug. 13.
The announcement was made in an email Friday.
“For years, United Way Platteville has brought people together to help neighbors facing challenges and strengthen the community,” the email said. “That work will continue through United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States.”
United Way Platteville Board President Kurt Martin joined the UWDATS Board of Directors, according to the email.
“United Way Platteville has always been about neighbors helping neighbors, and I am confident that commitment will continue through United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States,” said Martin. “I have tremendous confidence in UWDATS and the resources, relationships and experience they bring to this work.”
"United Way Platteville made the decision to merge with United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States after careful consideration of our long-term sustainability. Like many nonprofit organizations, we have seen contributions decline while administrative and operational costs continue to rise, even with an entirely volunteer board.
"By joining a larger, established United Way, we can leverage greater resources, expertise, and infrastructure while continuing to serve Platteville and the surrounding communities. This decision is about strengthening and preserving United Way's impact locally, and we are confident UWDATS will help build on the strong foundation and community relationships established over the years."
Danielle Leibfried, President and CEO of United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States, said the transition reflects United Way’s commitment to serving communities throughout the tri-state area.
“We want the Platteville community to know that United Way’s work will continue right here at home,” she said. “We are honored to carry forward the work United Way Platteville began and to build on the relationships and commitment that have made such a difference in this community.”
United Way Platteville began as the Platteville Community Chest in 1954. The Community Chest became United Way Platteville in 1978.
United Way of Dubuque dates back to the Dubuque Community Chest, established in 1928.
United Way Platteville had a 2025 campaign goal of $70,000.
United Way Dubuque Area Tri-States raised more than $1.3 million in its 2025–26 campaign, more than its $1.2 million goal.
Besides now Platteville, the Dubuque United Way serves, in Grant County, Bagley, Beetown, Bloomington, Cassville, Cuba City, Dickeyville, Fennimore, Glen Haven, Hazel Green, Kieler, Lancaster, Mount Hope, Patch Grove, Potosi and Sinsinawa. plus Benton and Shullsburg in Lafayette County, Council Hill, East Dubuque, Galena, Menominee and Scales Mound in Jo Daviess County and Savanna in Carroll County.
Iowa, Lafayette and Green counties are part of United Way of Green County, though Iowa County has the separate United Fund of Iowa County. Parts of Iowa and Green counties are part of United Way of Dane County.
United Way Platteville funds went to Family Advocates, Family Promise of Grant County, FASD Communities, Girl Scouts of Wisconsin–Badgerland, Hodan Community Services of Mineral Point, Platteville Area Senior Support, the Platteville Food Pantry, Riverway Communities of Hope, the Salvation Army, Southwest Opportunity Center of Lancaster, and Wisconsin Badger Camp.
United Way Platteville is the third local charitable organization to close its doors in the past year. Ruby’s Pantry, a national food pantry locally based at Platteville United Methodist Church, closed down in May after the national organization closed, with rising transportation costs and a shrinking surplus food supply from surplus, overproduced or mislabeled food on top of its more than $400,000 debt cited.
Family Connections of Southwest Wisconsin ended operations last October. The nonprofit provided services and support to families of young children in Grant and Lafayette counties through facilities in Platteville and Darlington.
Family Connections, which also was based at Platteville United Methodist Church, ceased operations due to a lack of funding, according to a social media post announcing its closing. Its funding sources included United Way Platteville.
