This means that each United Way group maintains its own standards and goals specifically tailored to its interests. United Way Worldwide describes each group as "A volunteer-led, nonprofit organization located in a geographic community that seeks and addresses the root causes of key issues, is accountable for stewardship of resources, and is accountable for short-term and long-term results" [source: UWW ].
Essentially, United Way is by the people, for the people. United Way America focuses on the three major elements of a prosperous community: education, income and health [source: UWA]. It believes working on these core issues creates a win-win situation for the majority of the community. It's not so much one-on-one as it is all-for-one. In this article, we'll discuss the history of United Way organizations. Then we'll take a look at United Way in local communities and how you can volunteer. Read on to learn about the history of this incredible organization.
The true beginning of United Way is a bit hazy because the organization is more about the concept of community organization than anything else. In the United States, groups began popping up to help out their local communities early on. Considering the size of the country and the limits of communication in the beginning of United States history, it comes as no surprise that communities were focused on their own needs and people.
There were a lot of "boom" moments in the s, including a mining rush in Denver, Colorado. In , there were suddenly too many people with too few resources -- and a distinct lack of gold and silver. Right around this time, the United Way began to form. It almost sounds like the lead-in to a bad joke: a Rabbi, a Catholic priest and two Protestant ministers got together to try to help the citizens of Denver who were suffering from the metal-mining fallout.
Francis Jacobs brought these men together to form the "Charity Organizations Society. By casting a broad net, Jacobs and the group were able to set a precedent for future groups. They showed that working together instead of separately would help accomplish more in the long run.
Even though community-based charity organizations were popping up all over the place, it wasn't until that the name "United Way" appeared on the scene. The first group to use the name was located in Los Angeles, California in That same year, groups all over the nation formally adopted the name [source: UWW ]. Now that you've learned about the history of the organization, read on to learn about United Way work in local communities. Country singing legend Dolly Parton started the Imagination Library in United Way organizations across the nation are busily working on local projects every day of the year.
The results are phenomenal. Since there are so many different projects within each United Way organization, let's hone in on some specifics. Here are some examples of projects within local United Way groups:. Building on the core goals of health, education and income, United Way organizations gather the people of a community to work together. As an individual or as an organization, you can get involved by volunteering or giving to our local community.
We make sure that every dollar you donate makes a direct impact. Give now. For Companies For Nonprofits. About Us. Why United Way Our vision is a community where opportunities are available for every child to succeed in school and for every family to achieve financial security.
People can call if they need help, or want to offer help. Our staff may know of available opportunities. Finally, you can connect with your local United Way, which might be able to direct you. Contact your local United Way directly if you're interested in internships or job opportunities there. To see posted job opportunities all across the United Way network, check out the careers area of our website.
That's great! And it's a conversation you should have with your local United Way, unless you're specifically interested in United Way Worldwide in Alexandria, Virginia. More information about the work of United Way Worldwide is available elsewhere on this website. Specific regional programs and other details are available at your local United Way. This is a question for your local United Way, since almost all funding happens at the local level.
Local United Ways are independently incorporated nonprofit organizations with their own grantmaking guidelines and local volunteers who make funding decisions. United Way is engaged in nearly 1, communities across more than 40 countries and territories worldwide.
As the largest privately-funded nonprofit in the world, we create solutions that build stronger communities. We're improving education, strengthening financial stability and making communities healthier. But we don't do it alone. Nearly 2. We bring people and organizations together to do more together than any of us can do on our own.
Employers, nonprofits, government, faith organizations, educators, labor, health providers, community leaders, youth and many others partner with us. Together, we tackle some of the world's toughest issues. We're after solutions that create real change. It's not simple, or easy. But we're making progress, and seeing results. Want to know more? Please read more about the work of United Way.
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