The United Way of America is a coalition of charitable organizations in the United States that have traditionally pooled efforts in fundraising. In the 1990s, more and more United Ways have focused on community building through local partnerships with government, foundations, schools, and other organizations. Each of the 1317 United Ways has its own local governing volunteer board. The organization has roots in Denver, Colorado, where in 1887 church leaders began the Charity Organization Society which coordinated services and fund raising for 22 agencies. Many Community Chest organizations, which were founded in the first half of the twentieth century to jointly collect and allocate money, joined the American Association for Community Organizations in 1918. The first Community Chest was founded in 1913 in Cleveland, Ohio. The number of Community Chest organizations increased from 39 to 353 between 1919 and 1929, and surpassed 1000 by 1948. By 1963, and after several name changes, the term United Way was adopted.

The organization raises money in a number of ways, chiefly through the workplace, where employees can have automatic payroll deductions for the United Way.

History

Frances Wisebart Jacobs, known as Colorado's "Mother of Charities," was the driving force behind the concept of today's United Way. In 1887 she spearheaded the creation of the Charity Organization Society, which became a federation of charities that coordinated fundraising and other efforts and shared the proceeds. This was the model that led to the creation of today's United Way, which recognizes Jacobs as its founder. She brought together the Rev. Myron W. Reed, Msgr. William J. O'Ryan, Dean H. Martyn Hart and Rabbi William S. Friedman to put their heads and plan the first united campaign for ten health and welfare agencies. They created an organization to serve as an agent to collect funds for local charities, as well as to coordinate relief services, counsel and refer clients to cooperating agencies, and make emergency assistance grants in cases which could not be referred.

That year, Denver raised $21,700 and created a movement that would spread throughout the county to become the United Way. Over 118 years later, United Way is still in operation. [1511]

In this year's (2006) Philanthropy 400, United Way of America was again No. 1, with more than 1,300 local United Ways reporting $4-billion in contributions last year, a 3.9-percent increase over 2004. Chronicle of Philanthropy

Common focus areas

United Ways identify and build on community strengths and assets, help individuals and groups with specific community interests find ways to contribute their time and talents, support direct-service programs and community-change efforts, and advocate public policy changes.

All of this is done in collaboration with diverse partners. Depending on the issue and how the community chooses to address it, United Ways work with schools, government agencies, businesses, organized labor, financial institutions, community development corporations, voluntary and neighborhood associations, the religious community, and others.

Because of the unique conditions in diverse communities, the issues United Ways address are determined locally. However, some common themes emerge:

Helping Children and Youth Succeed

Strengthening and Supporting Families

Improving Access to Health Care

Promoting Independence and Economic Self-Sufficiency

National partnerships

The on-going partnership with the National Football League began in 1973 when the NFL and United Way of America came together to discuss the possibility of using the NFL’s network contract airtime to promote United Way during game telecasts. Then Commissioner Pete Rozelle recognized the partnership as a viable means of communicating the good works of United Ways while putting faces on a league of players hidden by helmets.

National partnerships with over 100 corporations are formalized through the National Corporate Leadership Program.

Since 1946, the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and United Way of America have enjoyed a cooperative relationship

Leadership 18 a coalition which represents long-established charities, faith-based organizations, and social and health groups that support and promote the safety, health, well-being and social and economic development of people across America.

Criticism and scandals

Reportedly, some workplaces with United Way collection programs do not follow commonly used ethical procedures when soliciting donations. Employees may be pressured into donating through peer pressure tolerated or even encouraged by management. United Way has made public that it doesn't support such measures.<ref> United Way Code of Conduct</ref>

In 1992, William Aramony, CEO of the national organization, and in 2004, Oral Suer, CEO of the Washington, DC chapter, were convicted of misuse of donations. <ref> Article Discussing United Way Financial Scandal.</ref>

Some local United Ways have been known to double count contributions, thus making their totals look higher, and the perceived overhead of operations look better.<ref> Free Republic article discussing United Way double counting of donations</ref>

Some local United Way have been accused of double-dipping overhead costs in donations, especially when donations are earmarked for a specific charity, or transferred from one location to another.

In an effort to address these problems, United Way has implemented new membership requirements and accountability standards in 2003, however problems have continued to occur.

In May 2006, Kim Tran the former CFO of United Way of the National Capital Area (Washington, DC) resigned, claiming many issues remain.<ref> United Way Accountability Statement</ref><ref> Washington Post article discussing recent (2006) financial inconsistencies at the DC chapter, and resignation of the local chapter's CFO</ref>

In April 2006, the NYC United Way revealed misappropriation of assets by Ralph Dickerson, the retired CEO of that chapter. The appropriation of resources occurred over a three year period, ending in 2005. <ref> Press release from United Way NYC regarding their CEO's misappropriation of assets</ref>

References

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See also

United Way of Canada / Centraide Canada

== External links ==

Official Webpage of United Way of America

Official Webpage of United Way International

History of United Way

National Website of 2-1-1 which connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities, spearheaded by United Way and AIRS.

National Website of BornLearning a public engagement campaign that helps parents, caregivers and communities create quality early learning opportunities for young children lead by United Way and other partners.