The Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way, 24 N. Ninth St., Suite B, was created in July 2007. It merged the functions of United Way of Greater Fort Dodge and the Community Foundation of Fort Dodge and North Central Iowa. (Initially named United Way and Community Foundation of Northwest Iowa, it was subsequently renamed the Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way.)
The two components of this enterprise perform complementary but somewhat distinct functions. There is, however, an overarching goal that unites the diverse projects supported – encouraging people to give back to their community. Linking potential donors with the multiple ways that can be accomplished is at the heart of what the organization does, according to Kuhlman.