United Way of Greater New Haven


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History

1887	In Denver, religious leaders founded the Charity Organizations Society, the first "United Way" organization, which planned and coordinated local services and conducted a single fundraising campaign for 22 agencies.
1888	First United Way campaign in Denver raised $21,700.
1894	Charitable institutions became exempt from the first federal act that imposed a tax on all corporations organized for profit.
1913	The nation's first modern Community Chest was born in Cleveland, where a program for allocating campaign funds was developed.
1918	Executives of 12 fundraising federations met in Chicago and formed the American Association for Community Organizations (AACC), the predecessor to United Way of America.
1919	Rochester, New York, used the name Community Chest, a name widely adopted by United Way organizations and used until the early 1950s.
1919	United Fund of Greater New Haven is founded.
1948	More than 1,000 communities had established United Way organizations.
1971	United Way of America moved from New York City to Alexandria, Virginia.
1971	United Fund of Greater New Haven and the Community Council of Greater New Haven consolidated to form United Way of Greater New Haven.
1974	United Ways raised $1,038,995,000 in America and Canada. United Ways undertook the largest public-service campaign in the nation's history with the National Football League (NFL). A major part of that campaign was Great Moments, the televised United Way/NFL public-service announcements.
1974	United Way International was formed to help nations around the world form United Way-type organizations.
1981	United Ways raise $1.68 billion, a 10.1 percent increase over the previous year. This figure represented the largest single-year percentage increase.
1982	United Way of America's new National Service and Training Center opened in August, increasing the organization's ability to assist the nation's 2,200 United Ways. New Haven became the first United Way in Connecticut to offer donor choice and a "New Horizons" United Way that structured a year-round workplace presence and employee campaigns that were organized and implemented by employee groups.
1983	United Way of Greater New Haven establishes the "Leadership Circle" to increase the level of annual giving from individuals in a position to make significant contributions to the annual fundraising campaign.
1987	United Way recognized its centennial by saluting the American volunteer through many programs, including dedication of a United Way postage stamp by the U.S. Postal Service. United Ways number more than 2,000 across the country.
1989	United Way of Greater New Haven reaches the $5 million milestone, raising a total of $5,040,000. United Way of America celebrates its 15th year of collaboration on public-service announcements with the NFL. The public service series, for which the NFL donates television time during league games, reaches 80 million viewers per year and are valued at an estimated $45 million in advertising space annually.
1990	United Way of Greater New Haven solidifies its relationship with organized labor by appointing a labor co-chair for the annual campaign. For the first time, nationally, Americans gave more than $3 billion to local United Way campaigns in a one-year period.
1992	Former Peace Corps Director Elaine L. Chao was named president and chief executive officer of United Way of America - the first Asian-American and first female to assume this position. She replaced William Aramony, who was fired and prosecuted for misuse of funds -- an action that has had devastating impact on United Way and charities in general.
1993	Under Chao's leadership, United Way of America reorganized in a major way. The new structure emphasized stricter accountability and oversight and greater input from local United Ways including broader representation on the volunteer Board of Governors.
1994	United Way of America began a strategic planning process to chart a future course for local United Way organizations and United Way of America's role in supporting that strategic course.
1994	United Way of Greater New Haven celebrated 75 years of service to the community.
1995	United Way of Greater New Haven joins with the Hospital of Saint Raphael, Yale-New Haven Hospital and other institutions to form the Community Health Partnership to improve the quality of life of Greater New Haven residents.
1996	United Way of Greater New Haven raised $4.3 million, reaching its campaign goal for the first time in nine years. After a nine-month search, Betty Beene, former president of Tri-State United Way, is hired as President of United Way of America.
1997	United Way of Greater New Haven launched three major strategic initiatives to examine its organizational structure, its system of funds distribution, and its relationship with donors. The organization also surpassed its goal of $4.5 million.
1998	United Way of Greater New Haven Board accepted reports of three strategic committees, established the Community Impact Cabinet, as well as three task forces, to examine collaborative opportunities in the areas of: Working relationships with other United Ways Community leadership Working with major donors to meet community needs Board launched Community Response Fund to respond to new and emerging needs. Board confirmed that no allocation subsidy will be made in 1999.
1999	Community Impact Cabinet began to implement changes in fund distribution. Board approved Community Initiatives Fund. Strategic Task Force work ongoing. Community Foundation donated an unprecedented $75,000 to UW's Community Response Fund.
2000	United Way of Greater New Haven opened membership for the first time in 10 years. United Way of Greater New Haven and United Way of the Capital Area merge back room operations. United Ways embark on a national brand management strategy designed to differentiate United Way brand and system. The strategy helps to reposition United Way as more than a "fundraiser," but rather as the leading community impact organization. United Way and its partners, the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems, successfully petition the Federal Communications Commission to designate "211" for health and human services information and referral. Originally created by United Way of Atlanta, 211 is an easy-to-remember and universally recognizable telephone number that makes a critical connection between individuals and families in need and the appropriate community-based organizations and government agencies. The United Way of America Board of Governors establishes the Task Force on Strengthening the United Way System to propose a strategic direction and recommend changes to the operating processes and governing mechanisms of the United Way system. Chaired by Jack Little, retired president and CEO of Shell Oil Company and a UWA Board member, the Task Force is comprised of 21 individual volunteer and staff leaders, representing member United Ways, corporations, organized labor and UWA's Board of Governors. United Way of America launches the United Way State of Caring Index®. The index measures the needs of American and the caring and compassion of the nation, as well as each state.
2001	United Way of Greater New Haven raised a record $5.55 million to support community human and social service programs and re-emphasized its role as a community builder. In January Betty Beene concludes her service as UWA President. UWA Chief Administrative Officer Chris Amundsen is appointed as Interim President. In the 2000-2001 campaigns, United Way generated a record-breaking $3.91 billion in resources. For the fifth year in a row, campaign growth outpaces inflation. In response to terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and Somerset County, PA, the United Way of New York City and the New York Community Trust establish the September 11th Fund. The purpose of the Fund is to mobilize financial resources to respond to the pressing needs of the victims, their families, and communities affected by the tragedy. Four months after its establishment, donations to the September 11th Fund total more than $425 million. In December, the preliminary report of the Task Force on Strengthening the United Way System--Rising to the Challenges--is presented to UWA's Board of Governors and the United Way system's National Professional Council (NPC). The proposed mission statement, "to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities" and vision statement are adopted by UWA's Board of Governors and strongly endorsed by the NPC. UWGNH launches its website. Technical assistance and trainings to enable agencies to measure outcomes and produce logic models begins.
2002	In January, Brian Gallagher assumes the position of United Way of America president and CEO. A 20-year veteran of United Way, Gallagher was president of the United Way of Central Ohio in Columbus, the 16th largest United Way in the country. Gallagher becomes UWA's fourth president, succeeding Betty Stanley Beene, whom concluded her service to United Way on January 31, 2001. United Way embarks on an 18-month process called Community COMPASS, bringing together a diverse group of organizations, entities and individuals to conduct a comprehensive inventory of community needs and assets and to identify opportunities for collaborative action. UWGNH brings together 15,000 volunteers in the Greater New Haven region during its annual Day of Caring, creating the largest, single-day volunteer effort in Connecticut’s history. UWGNH launches Volunteer Link, an online volunteer matching service. UWGNH launches its first outcomes-based funding process.
2003	UWGNH partners with five other organizations in the creation of The Youth Philanthropy Project (YPP), an innovative youth grant-making and leadership development program for high school students in the Greater New Haven area. UWGNH launches Corporate Community Service Internship program to meet the needs of three distinct groups within our region: the business community, United Way and recent college graduates looking for a start in a difficult job market. The program supports the annual United Way campaign that is conducted between September and December. UWGNH partners with JL Sports in United Way/NFL Players Weekend creating the largest sports charity event in Connecticut.
2004	UWGNH makes a commitment to the children of our region by adopting the national Success By 6® (SB6) early childhood initiative and creates a network of public and private community partners to work together to ensure that the children of this region are ready to learn when they enter school and have a solid foundation for life-long success. UWGNH receives the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Leadership Commitment Award for demonstrating outstanding commitment to the community of Greater New Haven, and a significant dedication to leadership training. YPP holds its first ever NFL Player’s Youth Clinic as part of the UW/NFL Players Weekend. The Annual Investment Review (AIR) Team is established.
2005	May 3, Born Learning Campaign in Launched - United Way of America, The National Advertising Council and Civitas partner to launch the Born Learning Campaign. A national public awareness campaign that will provide resources, tools, data and information to support parents, caregivers, educators and citizens about the importance of early childhood, and the every day learning moments in a child's life. UWGNH’s Youth Philanthropy Project and Success By 6® issue their first round of grants, totaling over $242,000.00.