Introduction

The idea of the united fundraising was first demonstrated in Denver, Colorado, U.S.A. in 1887 and was further refined when the first community Chest was founded in Cleveland in 1913.  The first United Fund was established in Detroit in 1949 and differed from the Chest concept in that it was constituted as a givers’ organization rather than an organization of the participating agencies, and further, in that it embraced both local and national agencies.

A United Way is a legally constituted, non-profit corporation – a completely autonomous local organization administered entirely by its duly elected Board of Directors.  It annually conducts a review of agency requests, sets a fundraising goal, organizes a single community-wide campaign and distributes the proceeds according to a pre-arranged schedule.  However, because every United Fund was formed, initially, with a view to reducing the number of annual drives, this remains its dominant purpose.

'...the best, fairest, and most effective means yet devised...'

The United Way of raising and disbursing funds is seen as the best, fairest, and most effective means yet devised for meeting; on as realistic a scale as available support will permit the health, welfare, and character-building needs of a community without undue dependence on government or undue burden on the individual.

The United Way prevents duplication, wastage, and dissipation of resources – at the same time increasing the total amount of funds at the disposal of those agencies for whose services there is an established need.

The United Way, by providing the opportunity to give, encourages the greatest number of persons to support the greatest number of deserving services through one annual fundraising effort and with one contribution or pledge each year.

Because the services provided by private voluntary agencies are flexible – not rigidly defined, as is the case with many government services – the United Way frequently performs a pioneering role by enabling these agencies to meet new needs in the community.  Similarly, because private agency services are person-to-person oriented, they help to preserve – rather than detract from – the dignity of the individual recipient of health or welfare services.

In keeping with one of its primary responsibilities – that of constantly striving to ease the burden foisted on a community by multiple annual campaigns.  In considering applications for admission as member agencies, a United Fund must insist that such organizations fulfill all of the simple requirements prescribed for admission.  A foremost obligation on the part of all agencies is that of “accountability” – that is, the making available, for public inspection, of all pertinent facts and figures relating to the financial operation of the agency through its past fiscal year.