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1887:
In Denver, religious leaders founded the Charity Organizations
Society, the first "United Way" organization, which planned and
coordinated local services and conducted a single fund-raising
campaign for 22 agencies.
1888:
First United Way campaign in Denver raised $21,700.
1894:
Charitable institutions became exempt from the first federal act
that imposed a tax on all corporations organized for profit.
1913:
The nation's first modern Community Chest was born in Cleveland,
where a program for allocating campaign funds was developed.
1918:
Executives of 12 fund-raising federations met in Chicago and formed
the American Association for Community Organizations (AACO), the
predecessor to United Way of America.
1919:
Rochester, New York, used the name Community Chest, a name widely
adopted by United Way organizations and used until the early 1950s.
This year began a 10-year growth period in the number of Community
Chests: 39 in 1919; 353 in 1929.
1948:
More than 1,000 communities had established United Way
organizations.
1971:
United Way of America moved from N.Y., City, New York to Alexandria,
Virginia.
1973:
The NFL and the United Way establish their partnership to increase
public awareness of social service issues facing the country. In
addition to public service announcements in which volunteer NFL
players, coaches and owners appear, NFL players support their local
United ways through personal appearances, special programs, and
sitting on United Way governing boards.
1974:
United Ways raised $1,038,995,000 in America and Canada - the first
time in history that an annual campaign of a single organization
raised more than $1 billion. United Ways undertook with the National
Football League (NFL) the largest public-service campaign in the
nation's history; a major part of that campaign was Great Moments,
the televised United Way/NFL public-service announcements.
United Way International was formed to help nations around the world
form United Way-type organizations.
1981:
United Ways raised $1.68 billion, a 10.1 percent increase over the
previous year. This figure represented the largest single-year
percentage increase.
1982:
United Way of America's new National Service and Training Center
opened in August, increasing the organization's ability to assist
the nation's 2,200 United Ways.
1987:
United Way recognized its centennial by saluting the America
volunteer through many programs, including dedication of a United
Way postage stamp by the U.S. Postal Service.
1991:
During the Persian Gulf War, a fully staffed Operations Center at
United Way of America worked closely with other organizations to
ensure that those in need received help.
1992:
William Aramony resigned as president and Kenneth W. Dam served a
interim president and chief executive officer.
Former Peace Corps Director Elaine L. Chao was selected as United
Way of America's president and chief executive officer: the first
Asian-American and first female to assume this position.
1993:
A national conference on Block Grants, hosted by United Way of
America, provided valuable insight to nearly 250 attendees on the
past and future performance of block grants, focusing on their
implications for United Ways, their agencies, and the people they
serve.
The corporate community is increasingly demanding easier, more
cost-efficient ways to process workplace campaigns. The Board sees
these resolutions as the first steps in ensuring that United Way
continues to be the premier workplace fund-raiser because of its
ability to change to better meet customers' needs through the use of
new technology.
1994:
United Way of America was selected by Financial World magazine as
the charity of choice in 1994 for its leadership in not-for-profit
ethics and accountability.
1994 marked the first year of United Way of America's Quality
Awards, modeled after the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Awards.
These awards recognize United Way organizations that demonstrated
measurable progress in customer satisfaction, accountability and
productivity. United Way of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA, United
Way of the Piedmont, Spartanburg, SC, and United Way of Southeastern
New England, Providence, RI, were the first recipients of this
prestigious award.
1995:
The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG) announced its
selection of United Way of America and the United Way system as the
primary provider of community support and volunteer services for the
1996 Olympic Torch Relay. In its role, United Way was responsible
for assisting ACOG with the selection of torchbearers, organizing
community celebrations to greet the arrival of the Olympic Flame,
and coordinating volunteers for those functions.
United Way of America's Board of Governors unanimously approved the
adoption of Strategic Direction for United Way: Charting the Path
for Building Better Communities.
1996:
United Way of America developed two Internet products, United Way
Online for local United Ways and a website for the general public.
Betty Stanley Beene was selected as United Way of America's new
president and chief executive officer. Prior to her selection, Beene
served as President and CEO of the Tri-State United Way.
Former United Way of America President William Aramony appeals his
sentence to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In October of 1996, United Way of America identified healthy
children, healthy families and healthy communities as focus areas
under the strategic plan.
1997:
Betty Stanley Beene assumes the position of President and CEO of
United Way of America.
United Way of America and the United Way system were asked by the
organizers of the Presidents' Summit for America's Future to join
with them in leading the selection process for the 1,400 delegates
from 140 cities across the nation. The focus of the Summit was to
help youth through volunteer efforts.
1998:
In 1997-98 campaigns, United Ways collectively raised $3.4 billion,
boosting revenues by more than $150 million for a 4.7 percent
increase over 1996-97 levels.
United Ways and the NFL celebrate the 25th Anniversary of their
unique partnership and the longest-running sports/charity public
service announcement campaign of its kind. The partnership has
enabled the United Way to share their special message with 110
million viewers during football season. Over 950 spots have aired
since 1973.
1999:
Bank of America Foundation donates $50 million over 5 years to local
United Ways in 22 states where they conduct business to support
United Way's Birth to Work Agenda, previously called Success by 6®.
Bill and Melinda Gates donate $10.5 million to support vital United
Way programs and services to strengthen the United Way system.
2000:
United Ways embark on a national brand management strategy
designed to differentiate United Way brand and system. The strategy
helps to reposition United Way as more than a "fundraiser," but
rather as the leading community impact organization.
United Way and its partners, the Alliance of Information and
Referral Systems, successfully petition the Federal Communications
Commission to designate "211" for health and human services
information and referral. Originally created by United Way of
Atlanta, 211 is an easy-to-remember and universally recognizable
telephone number that makes a critical connection between
individuals and families in need and the appropriate community-based
organizations and government agencies.
The United Way of America Board of Governors establishes the Task
Force on Strengthening the United Way System to propose a strategic
direction and recommend changes to the operating processes and
governing mechanisms of the United Way system. Chaired by Jack
Little, retired president and CEO of Shell Oil Company and a UWA
Board member, the Task Force is comprised of 21 individual volunteer
and staff leaders, representing member United Ways, corporations,
organized labor and UWA's Board of Governors.
United Way of America launches the United Way State of Caring Index®.
The index measures the needs of American and the caring and
compassion of the nation, as well as each state.
2001:
In January Betty Beene concludes her service as UWA President.
UWA Chief Administrative Officer Chris Amundsen is appointed as
Interim President.
In the 2000-2001 campaigns, United Way generated a record-breaking
$3.91 billion in resources. For the fifth year in a row, campaign
growth outpaces inflation.
In response to terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New
York City, the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and Somerset County, PA,
the United Way of New York City and the New York Community Trust
establish the September 11th Fund. The purpose of the Fund is to
mobilize financial resources to respond to the pressing needs of the
victims, their families, and communities affected by the tragedy.
Four months after its establishment, donations to the September 11th
Fund total more than $425 million.
In December, the preliminary report of the Task Force on
Strengthening the United Way System--Rising to the Challenges--is
presented to UWA's Board of Governors and the United Way system's
National Professional Council (NPC). The proposed mission statement,
"to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities" and
vision statement are adopted by UWA's Board of Governors and
strongly endorsed by the NPC.
2002:
In January, Brian Gallagher assumes the position of United Way
of America president and CEO. A 20-year veteran of United Way,
Gallagher was president of the United Way of Central Ohio in
Columbus, the 16th largest United Way in the country. Gallagher
becomes UWA's fourth president, succeeding Betty Stanley Beene, whom
concluded her service to United Way on January 31, 2001.
2003:
New Membership Standards for member United Ways that are designed to
enhance the level of accountability and transparency in United Way
operations are overwhelmingly adopted.
United Way of America launched its brand "what matters. TM"
advertising campaign. "what matters. TM" is an
articulation of the commitment United Way has to creating meaningful
and tangible impact in communities across America.
2004:
In response to the devastating hurricanes that ravaged the state of
Florida, United Ways throughout Florida lead response and recovery
efforts by identifying the most serious needs in devastated
communities. The Florida 2-1-1 Network responded to thousands of
telephone calls directing victims to services such as shelters,
food, medical assistance, disaster preparedness and response
activities, post-disaster assistance, and recovery information.
Local 2-1-1 operators also matched volunteers with opportunities to
give help in affected communities.
The tragic tsunami that struck South Asia focused attention on that
area of the world. The United Way Coordinated Crisis Response Team
worked collaboratively with staff from United Way International,
United Way of America, and United Way affiliates in India,
Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, and Thailand to collectively respond to
the Indian Ocean communities impacted by the disasters.
2005:
First adopted in 1973 and last updated in 1988, United Way of
America updates its Standards of Excellence. The new Standards --
which provide a comprehensive description of benchmark standards and
best practices -- reflect the organization's strategic shift from
its traditional role as strictly a fundraiser to a new mission
focused on identifying and addressing the long-term needs of
communities.
In conjunction with Civitas and the Ad Council, United Way of
America introduces Born Learning, an innovative public
engagement campaign designed to provide parents and caregivers with
the resources they need to create quality early learning
opportunities for young children. |