In: Economics
What is the history of the United Way
United Way was founded in Denver, Colorado in 1887. It collected funds for local charities, referred clients to human service agencies, and established emergency assistance grants for cases that could not be referred. The focus on community problem-solving is unchanged today, but how United Way does that has evolved quite a bit.
Early on, United Way mostly funded programs. While the idea of "sowing 1000 seeds" supported good activities, it diluted impact - and rarely changed lives.
By the 1980's, United Way was measuring outcomes. The goal was measurable impact. To ensure dollars made a difference, United Way encouraged agencies getting funding to focus on outcomes, not just activities.
Over the next two decades, Unite Way began targeting education, financial stability and health to make a more focused impact. Many local United Ways organized programs accordingly, and began to look hard at those issues locally.
By the mid-2000's, analysis of underlying causes made clear that community challenges were too big to tackle alone. United Way began collaborating with more partners, across a broader cross-section of the community.
Today, most United Ways are focused on some combination of the above. Almost all fund programs driving to community outcomes; many are fueling community initiatives; and some are working to galvanize the community around a common cause, a common vision and a common path forward.