United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) has collected and reinvested nearly $300,000 in donations to help residents and small businesses mitigate the financial impacts of this summer’s wildfires.

The Chisholm-based organization began fundraising July 14th and opened applications July 31st to small businesses and individuals located in Babbitt, Buyck, Cook, Crane Lake, Ely, Embarrass, Nett Lake, Orr, Soudan, Tower, Winton, and townships between any of the aforementioned communities. 

While northern Minnesota communities are grateful that wildfire conditions are gradually improving, residents and small businesses who have lost income for weeks as a result are struggling to regain their footing.

United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) has been raising recovery funds since July 15th to prepare for this moment; funds are still being raised for communities regionwide as well as specific to the Ely area. Anonymous donors are adding an additional dollar for every $2 donated to the Ely community up to $50,000.

In response to growing concerns surrounding Ely area businesses impacted by the ongoing wildfire and related closures, United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) has established an Ely-specific wildfire fund that allows donors to designate their gifts to small businesses. 

Applications for United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN)’s Step Into School program are due July 24th.

The back-to-school celebration takes qualified students shopping for new properly fit athletic shoes for the coming school year.

As crews battle wildfires spreading in the Ely area, nonprofit and government entities have been working hard behind the scenes to provide for the crews, care for evacuees, and prepare for what’s to come next.

United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) is in close and regular contact with the American Red Cross, St. Louis County, and Ely Community Response to ensure clear communication and coordinated relief.

A fun day around Chisholm, with 240 volunteers working on a variety of projects.

This is the 2026 Day of Action. Organized by the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota, this gives people a chance to band together and help their neighbors with things like window washing and painting and more.

“This is our third annual, and we had a record number of volunteers,” shared Erin Shay, Executive Director of UWNEMN.

Volunteers lent their talent on Friday to creating a new opportunity for kids to learn, while walking along the lakewalk adjacent to the Lake Park by Longyear Lake in Chisholm.

The United Way of Northeastern Minnesota facilitated the creation of what is known as a Born Learning Trail.

United Way of Northeastern Minnesota’s Day of Action, presented by U.S. Steel, is coming up in Chisholm. People will tackle home improvement jobs and community beautification projects.

The United Way moves the volunteer effort to different spots each year.

United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) asked high school seniors across the region what they saw as the biggest need in the community – and what ideas they had to address that need – in its third annual Youth United Contest. 

Thirty-eight students from across the Iron Range and Koochiching County responded, and six have been named finalists. 

Finalists (in alphabetical order) are:

by Renee Passal, WDIO

Volunteers are needed to ensure United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN)’s free summer lunch program, Meet Up and Chow Down, can once again provide free summer lunches to all children ages starting on Monday.

Meet Up and Chow Down lunches will be prepared by local schools, grocery stores, and restaurants.