The Community Foundation manages close to 200 funds. It’s all behind-the-scenes work, but the money from those funds makes some major things possible.

The United Way side of the operation is dedicated to helping poor families with children. Its mission is to keep those families together in their homes with the utilities on.

“We’re here to give them a guiding hand, a helping hand,” said Randy Kuhlman, executive director of the Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way.

Both the Community Foundation and the United Way are able to function because of the generosity of Fort Dodge residents and businesses, he said.

“We’re fortunate that we have a generous community,” he added.

Community Foundation

The Community Foundation manages 160 funds that provide money for various projects and organizations.

It has $25.5 million in assets under management, according to Kuhlman.

More than $2 million worth of grants were awarded by the various funds last year.

One of the most visible projects supported by a fund under Community Foundation management is the Albert Habhab Veterans Memorial Bridge on First Avenue South. Money to turn the once basiclooking bridge into a true tribute to veterans is channeled through the fund.

“It’s been a great collaborative effort and a very successful project,” Kuhlman said.

The foundation also plays a role in preserving local history by financially supporting the Webster County Historical Society and maintaining the fortdodgehistory.com website.

United Way

The United Way is focused on helping poor families with children.

According to Kuhlman, in 2025 the organization helped 110 families with 250 children. He said most of those families were headed by a single mother. Those mothers, he said, are often working multiple jobs that don’t offer benefits.

When those families reached out to the United Way, they were in financial crisis and facing the prospect of being homeless, he said.

The number of families needing help has more than quadrupled since the COVID pandemic in 2020, and the inflation experienced in the last three years has made things worse, he added.

Kuhlman said the United Way also helped about a dozen families who were victims of house fires last year. He said the organization provides temporary shelter and helps the families find new homes. It also helps the families get new documents, such as licenses and Social Security cards, that were lost in the fire.