On May 16, St. Louis was devastated by severe weather, resulting in an EF3 tornado that caused unimaginable damage to the region. The disaster impacted thousands of St. Louisans, leaving them without shelter and other important resources. The United Way of Greater St. Louis was able to immediately mobilize to assist the community. The nonprofit’s 211 Navigation Center connected more than 3,200 people to critical services, its Volunteer Center organized more than 6,000 volunteers, and the Storm Relief Fund invested more than $2.5 million to support centralized food, shelter and cleanup efforts administered by other nonprofits working on the frontlines.

“We strengthen our local safety net,” president and CEO Michelle Tucker explains. “In the wake of the May 16 storms, and with 43% of households struggling to meet basic needs, the urgency for assistance is clear. Every contribution counts as we unite to support those in need.” The United Way is dedicated to building stronger and more resilient communities. The nonprofit works to unite people, resources and funding to meet the needs of a 16-county region in Missouri and Illinois. Each year, it provides assistance to more than one million people—meaning it touches the lives of one in every three people in the St. Louis region.

The United Way provides more than 160 local nonprofits with vital funding, training and resources. Its goal is to support the region in five impact areas: basic needs, health and wellbeing, jobs and financial mobility, youth success and crisis response. One way it funds these critical services and programming is its annual Community Campaign. “The initiative unites thousands of donors and hundreds of local businesses to raise awareness and funds for our nonprofit safety net,” Tucker says. “Over our century-long history, we’ve raised more than $3 billion, empowering local individuals to thrive.”

This year’s Community Campaign is led by chairs Lal Karsanbhai, president and CEO of Emerson, and Andrew Davidson, managing partner for KPMG’s St. Louis office. Both were inspired to get involved with the United Way due to their roles not just as corporate leaders in the community, but also as St. Louisans themselves. “The St. Louis community has given so much to my family and me,” Karsanbhai explains. “Emerson has been a United Way corporate partner for decades, supporting its critical role in bringing our community together to help fund vital services for those in need. Serving as 2025 Community Campaign chair, I am getting an up-close look at something remarkable.”

Davidson is honored to have the opportunity to lead with purpose and provide a model of what it means to be a compassionate, responsible corporate citizen. “Supporting the United Way’s Community Campaign is more than philanthropy—it’s about investing in the long-term health and resilience of the communities where we live and work,” he says. “When leaders champion the United Way, it inspires teams, strengthens culture and creates a ripple effect of generosity and engagement. The strength of the United Way lies in its ability to unite people from all walks of life. Whether through volunteering, donating or simply spreading awareness, everyone has a role to play.”

United Way of Greater St. Louis unites people, resources and funding to help build strong and equitable communities. Its annual Community Campaign has raised more than $3 billion throughout the nonprofit’s history. Pictured on the cover: 2025 Community Campaign chairs Lal Karsanbhai and Andrew Davidson with United Way president and CEO Michelle Tucker (center). For more information, contact 314.421.0700 or visit helpingpeople.org. 

Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Tim Parker Photography

Pictured at the top: United Way president and CEO Michelle Tucker
Photo: Tim Parker Photography