United Way History

1887

Two ministers, a priest, and a rabbi form the Charity Organization Society, the first  United Way organization, to plan and coordinate services and conduct a combined fund raising campaign for ten agencies in Denver.

1918

Twelve executives of United Way organizations meet in Chicago and form a national organization for exchange of ideas and experiences.  This organization, the American Association for Community Organizations, is later to become United Way of America.

1931

Incorporated under the name Community Fund of Wheeling, the United Way movement begins in the Ohio Valley. $198,467 is raised in the first campaign.

1942

Leaders of the AFL, CIO, and United Way movement establish labor liaisons program strengthening partnership of organized labor and United Ways in community service.

1946

The name Community Chest of Wheeling is adopted. $173,338 is raised in the annual campaign

1949

Detroit becomes the first community to adopt the name United Fund.

1957

The number of United Fund organizations surpasses 2,000 and the total of funds raised grows to $442 million.

1964

Community Chest of Wheeling becomes the Upper Ohio Valley United Fund and expands to incorporate the natural geographic service area including Ohio, Marshall and Belmont Counties and surrounding communities.  Fund raising jumps 24.4% in this one year to a record high of $352,000.

1970

The national association reorganizes under the name United Way of America and volunteer leaders adopt a resolution to encourage members to use the United Way name.

1974

United Fund Board of Directors votes to formally change the name of the  organization to the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley and adopt the helping hand logo as its official symbol.  The half million dollar mark is broken in the annual campaign and funds are provided to 25 member agencies.

1986

United Ways raise 2.4 billion nationally.  United Way movement is second only to Federal government in social service funding.

1987

United Way movement celebrates its 100 years in existence.  United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley raises $707,000 to top campaign goal for the first time in six years.

1991

United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley creates “Bridge Society” to encourage and recognize outstanding leadership giving among individuals.  A record high of $886,063 was raised in the annual campaign.

1999

United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley creates an Endowment Fund with the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley.  Board of Directors’ goal is to build the endowment fund so interest can be used to offset the administrative costs and all contributions to the annual campaign will go for services.

2009

United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley merged with the United Way of Brooke County.