History of the United Way

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National

In 1887, two Protestant ministers, a Jewish rabbi, and a Catholic priest came together to lead the first united fundraising campaign in Denver, conducting a single, community-wide campaign for 22 agencies. They also coordinated relief services, counseled and referred clients to cooperating agencies, and made emergency assistance grants. Called the Charity Organizations Society at the time, this “united appeal” was the genesis of a movement that would eventually spread across America.

The first modern United Way organization was established in 1913 in Cleveland. Then known as Community Chest, it allocated money to agencies through an annual fundraising effort held via local businesses. The number of Community Chest organizations across the nation grew from 39 in 1919 to 353 in 1929, and surpassed 1,000 by 1948. After several name changes, the term United Way was adopted in 1963.

Today, United Way is a worldwide network in 45 countries and territories, including nearly 1,300 local organizations in the United States. Collectively, the United Way movement creates lasting community change by addressing the underlying causes of problems that prevent progress in education, financial stability, and health. LIVE UNITED is an international call to action for everyone to play a part in this change.

Local

The first United Way organization in the Charlotte area was founded in 1931. Called Emergency Relief, it was created to help people hurt by the Great Depression, using a single fundraising drive to reduce the number of charitable appeals made to the business community.

Names for the organization evolved from the 1930s to 1950s, including United Welfare Federation, Community War Chest, Community Chest, and United Community Services. The mission of bringing relief to people remained the same.

In 1969, United Community Services in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County moved into the building that United Way now occupies at 301 South Brevard Street. Four years later, United Community Services merged with the Union County Combined Charity Organization to conduct the first joint Mecklenburg and Union Counties Campaign Drive; the name United Way of Mecklenburg and Union Counties was adopted in 1982.

In 1987, United Way of Cabarrus County merged with United Way of Mecklenburg and Union Counties, and together adopted a new name, United Way of Central Carolinas, Inc. The Mooresville-Lake Norman United Way joined United Way of Central Carolinas in 2000, while Anson County joined in 2006.

Jane McIntyre was named United Way’s new executive director in August 2009, at half her predecessor’s salary. The entire board resigned that December to allow constitution of a new, hands-on Board of Directors at a third of the prior board’s size.

With its staff size and operating budget slashed by nearly 50%, United Way of Central Carolinas embarked on an organization-wide reinvention process in October 2009. Some changes – such as launching a donor-focused, year-round fundraising campaign – are already underway, while others will be adopted over the course of the 18-month reinvention process.