Our History

The United Way movement began in 1887 in Denver, Colorado, when four clergymen, constantly beset by financial needs to help people in trouble, conceived the idea of a united annual fundraising campaign. The campaign was successful and the idea spread. Today, just about every town and city in the United States and other countries too are raising funds "the United Way."

Local United Ways are independent, separately incorporated entities.  Each United Way has an independent Board and staff and is guided by and accountable to members of its local community.

In 1987, local United Way research showed that donors wanted assurances that their contributions were making a difference in people's lives. So United Way established a new investment process based on measurable results. Success came from strong program results - from helping individuals one at a time, whether by providing a hot meal or by offering mentoring assistance after school.

While pride is certainly deserved, we now know that we need to go further. The study of community needs tells us that some issues are worsening in our communities, even though many people have been helped. This tells us that the issues themselves are not going away and that offering a "band-aid" for those affected will not go far enough to improving things for the community.

We have joined together with other United Ways across the country in a national movement towards Community Impact. In order to make a deeper and more lasting impact on these issues facing our communities, we need to address the root causes of growing challenges.

United Way's Community Care Fund increases donors' capacity to make a difference, forming a collective force in support of a common community agenda for change. Donations to the Community Care Fund guarantee accountability, measurable results and impact.

By moving beyond individual program results to measuring community impact, we increase the opportunities for success for all people in our community. That's the challenge facing United Way and our partners today . . . continuing to help individuals while learning from their stories how we can improve conditions for everyone in the community.

Chronology of Significant Dates

1887 Denver, Colorado: a priest, two ministers and a rabbi coordinate a single campaign for ten health and human service agencies, raising $21,700 in this first united effort.

1924, the United Way came to Schenectady County to meet the community service needs of the burgeoning Electric City and its environs. Led by Rev. G.H. Baker, United Way raised an amazing $159,033.

1925 The Albany Community Chest is officially incorporated.

1938 The Troy Community Chest holds its first federated campaign.

1957 The Community Chest of Saratoga, Inc. is created.

1978 United Fund of the Albany Area, Inc. and United Way of Saratoga County, Inc. combine into an area-wide organization known as United Way of Northeastern New York, Inc.

1987 United Way of America celebrates its 100th birthday calling for a bold effort to double its volunteer involvement and dollars raised.

1988 United Way of Mohawk-Hudson Area, Inc. and United Way of Northeastern New York, Inc. formally consolidate.

2007 United Way of Schenectady County, Inc. and United Way of Northeastern New York, Inc. joined to form one new regional United Way entity known as United Way of the Greater Capital Region

Today United Way of the Greater Capital Region is taking a regional approach, with local solutions, to the needs of our community and families in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady and Schoharie Counties.