Facts about United Way:

United Way is a volunteer driven organization that exists to support the social service and welfare needs of our community. United Way had its beginnings in Clark County in 1921, when community leaders organized the Springfield Federation for Community Service and has endured many positive changes since the beginning.

1918 - Federated giving in Springfield, Ohio dates back to World War I, when the first War Chest campaign was conducted under the name of "Springfield and Clark War Service."

1921 - The "Springfield Federation for Community Service" was organized.

The 17 original Organizations:
Public Health League Hospital Guild Salvation Army
Loan Linen Closet Blind Relief Y.M.C.A
Social Service Bureau Red Cross Y.W.C.A
Catholic Charities Board Council of Jewish Women Y.M
Union Settlement House Boy Scouts Day Nursery
Playground Association Scholarship Awards Catastrophe Fund
Clark Memorial Home If Nobody Cared

1951 - The name Community Chest of Clark County, Inc., was adopted.

1953 - A successor organization, the United Appeals Fund of Springfield and Clark County, Inc. was organized, (later changed to the United Appeals Fund of Clark County, Inc.). The new organization was organized with the stated purpose "to raise funds in one campaign for recognized local health, welfare and social agencies and for recognized health, welfare and disaster-relief needs."

1973 - The name "United Way of Clark County, Inc." was adopted at the 1973 Annual Meeting.

1978 - The annual campaign topped $1,000,000 for the first time.

1981 - A new statement of purpose was adopted as part of a new Constitution: "The purpose of this corporation shall be to assess the need for human services in Clark County; to raise funds to support such needs through one annual fund drive; to administer and disburse such funds under one agency and to promote cooperation not only among member agencies but among all such organizations of Clark County."

1981 - The Community Planning Council was dissolved with a new Board level Community Planning Committee established as part of the United Way.

1985 - The Wesley Harrison Society was established to recognize leadership giving to the United Way.

1985 - The United Way service area was expanded to include Champaign County. The name "United Way of Clark and Champaign Counties, Inc." was adopted at the Annual Meeting.

1986 - Information and Referral became a program of the United Way. I&R staff and volunteers link people with problems with the agency or organization best suited to help.
United Way of Madison County was established and was run on a volunteer basis only.

1990 - The annual campaign raised over $2,000,000 for the first time.

1990 - The Lew Moore Society was established to recognize leadership giving in Champaign County.

1991 - Child Care Connections was created as a service of Information and Referral. This program links persons needing childcare with potential providers.

1995 - United Way began Neighbors Count program to recognize neighborhood initiatives.

1998 - United Way established a United Way Endowment Fund with the Springfield Foundation.

2000 - 2000 Community Assessment was published, which identified four primary target areas at focus:
Stable Healthy Families, Healthy Neighbors, Self Sufficiency and Core Areas

2005 – The United Way service area was expanded to include Madison County. The name “United Way of Clark, Champaign & Madison Counties” was adopted at the Mid Report Meeting.

We want you to know:
The United Way of Clark, Champaign & Madison Counties responsibilities to the community: Our responsibilities encompass several critical areas. These areas include raising money to distribute to area social service agencies, oversight of how the dollars are spent, monitoring how United Way funded services impact our community, information services, volunteer development and community building.

Every gift counts: Whether the donation is large or small, when combined, many people are being helped.

Your money stays here: The money raised in a county stays in that county unless the donor designates it elsewhere.

Administrative Cost stays under 15%: The United Way Board of Trustees has mandated that administrative expenses must be no more then 15% of the total dollars raised in campaign. For every dollar raised, 85 cents supports agency programs.

We value you as a partner. United Way does not stand alone. We realize that the way to affect lasting changes is through collaboration with donors, human service agencies, businesses, civic leaders and volunteers.