Serving Our Community Since 1942
The United Way movement began in 1887 in Denver, Colorado when religious leaders founded the Charity Organizations Society which planned and coordinated local services and conducted a single fundraising campaign for 22 agencies.
In 1913, the nation's first modern Community Chest was born in Cleveland where a program for allocating campaign funds was developed. Community Chests began to make sure people had basic needs.
Fun fact: Monopoly's Community Chest spaces and cards were inspired by real life Community Chest organizations, which were the precursors to today's United Way!
1942
From 1919 to 1929, communities across America began establishing Community Chests which would later be known as United Funds, and by the 1970's, United Ways.
In 1942, Mayor Tate recommended the Caldwell Community Chest be established.
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Our one to many model still holds strong after decades. United Ways are one of the only nonprofits that distribute funding to other programs and services, to help make a bigger collective impact. The photos above are from our first allocation, as well as war bonds from 1942.
Through the Decades
1973: The United Way of Caldwell County was recognized for having the #1 campaign in the state of North Carolina. The campaign raised $111,316 which was 113% of its goal.
1985: The United Way of Caldwell County raised $257,960 which was distributed to more than 20 local, state, and federal agencies.
1998: We raised our first $1 million campaign goal. It was also our last campaign before the new millennium. Funds from that year helped 33 local agencies.
2010's: We celebrated our 75th year milestone.
2020's: We navigated the COVID-19 Pandemic and distributed 138,000 face masks to our community and schools to help keep families safe.
2024-25: We raised over $97,000 for the Caldwell County Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Fund and helped form the Caldwell County Long Term Recovery Group, to help families rebuild and recover.