About the Program
About Engaged Leaders United
Engaged Leaders United is a program for adults aged 50 and under who donate or pledge a minimum annual gift of $250 or more or a combined minimum annual gift of $500 or more with their spouse. Being an Engaged Leader will allow you to discover and expand your philanthropic passions through volunteering, networking and community involvement. Anyone who qualifies for the Engaged Leaders United program AND checks the box on their pledge form will be invited to participate in these opportunities.
Next Engaged Leaders United Committee Meeting
The July committee meeting is being replaced with fun events and ways to support United Way by attending and participating, in place of a committee meeting.
• July 4th - Greater Mankato Area United Way's YOUTH UNITED group will be in the Saint Peter 4th of July Parade that starts at 10 AM!
• July 11th - Ribs & Rides 2026 will take place at Unique Classic Cars, with live music, a team BBQ ribs competition, classic car show, and more; 10 am - 4 pm!
If you are interested in joining committee meetings in the future you are welcome to join a meeting to learn more.
The "ELU" Committee...
This group is coordinated by Greater Mankato Area United Way staff.
Important: We are actively seeking ELU members to be active members of the Engaged Leaders United Planning Committee.
To learn more or to become part of this group, contact United Way at 507-345-4551 or jillc@mankatounitedway.org
Other Engaged Leader Opportunities...
• Volunteer for various community projects with other leaders.
• Meet corporate and community leaders as well as other young leaders who will help you grow both professionally and in philanthropy.
• Attend the Tocqueville Speaker Series, in which Tocqueville Society Leaders (those who give a personal annual gift of $10,000 or more) share their professional and personal journeys and their perspectives on philanthropy.
• Attend the Business of Giving Series, in which regional business leaders invite leaders to learn more about what their company's perspective on giving and what they do to give back to the community.
Upcoming Events
June Engaged Leaders United Committee Meeting
Thursday, June 4th, 2026 @ 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM @ NaKato in Lower North Mankato
If you are interested in joining the committee you are welcome to join our meeting to learn more.
United Way's Annual Men's Event
ISG Field, Wednesday, June 10th, 2026 @ 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Volunteers Needed)! Email jillc@mankatounitedway.org
2026 Ribs & Rides: The Competition Heats Up
Unique Classic Cars, Saturday, July 11th, 2026 @ All Day! (Ribbers, Teams, Sponsors, Volunteers Needed)! Email jillc@mankatounitedway.org
Next "Tour of Giving" Speaker Series - Literacy Focus
September 2026 - Time - Location - TBD: Stay tuned for more details!
Engaged Leaders United Spotlight
Engaged Leaders United Spotlight: Meet Rachel McGregor
We are excited to feature individuals who are part of Greater Mankato Area United Way’s Engaged Leaders United group to learn why they are involved in making a difference in our region through United Way.
Rachel McGregor, Engaged Leaders Committee Co-Chair and Greater Mankato Area United Way Lead Volunteer, has built her life around service, leadership, and community, and has always been drawn to people, especially those navigating seasons of transition or uncertainty. Her connection to United Way is both professional and deeply personal, as she was previously part of the United Way team, where she witnessed firsthand the power of collective generosity.
Long before her role within United Way, Rachel understood what it felt like to be on the other side of support. “There were seasons in my life where stability wasn’t guaranteed,” Rachel shared. “Times when resources were stretched thin. Times when I saw how quickly life can shift. In those moments, community matters. Support matters. People who choose to stand in the gap for one another matter.”
That perspective shapes how she shows up today. “I give because I know how powerful even small acts of generosity can be. It’s beyond humbling to now contribute in ways that once helped carry me.”
Rachel believes that when you give to United Way, you are investing in people at every stage of life. “This work is about hope. It’s about looking at our neighbors with compassion and refusing to look away when there’s a need. It’s about raising our hands, stepping into the gaps, and building a community where everyone, at every stage of life, has the support they need."
Thank you, Rachel!
