About Us

Our organization was established in February 1945 as the Fergus Falls Community Fund. After joining United Way Worldwide, we became United Way of Otter Tail County, gaining the ability to receive workplace contributions to support local programs. In 2017, we expanded to serve Wadena County and became United Way of Otter Tail & Wadena Counties.

In July 2025, we merged with United Way of Douglas and Pope Counties, creating United Way Lakes and Prairie, serving a five-county region that includes Douglas, Otter Tail, Pope, Todd, and Wadena Counties.

We are committed to creating opportunities that help our communities thrive across four core areas of impact:

Healthy Community – Promoting access to physical, mental, and social health resources

Youth Opportunity – Supporting early education, mentoring, and career pathways

Financial Security – Connecting people with tools and support for long-term stability

Community Resiliency – Strengthening systems to help families navigate and recover from life’s challenges

Together, we’re building stronger communities for today and for generations to come.