About Us -United Way of Central Ohio

Our Mission

Improve the lives of others by mobilizing the caring power of our community.

Our Vision

Build a community in which everyone has the aspirations, resources and opportunities to reach their fullest potential.

We are your neighbors, co-workers and friends. We are a collaboration of donors, volunteers, organizations and experts—UNITED around the shared sense of purpose to reduce poverty in our community. Founded in 1923, United Way of Central Ohio is one of the largest United Ways in the country. We bring together more than 80,000 donors, advocates and volunteers, because when we speak and act together, we have the power to do more and our impact multiplies.

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United Way has enjoyed the support of
central Ohio for many years with a proud
tradition of advancing the common good.

In 1887, church leaders in Denver recognized the need for a combined effort to solve the city’s social welfare problems and organized to raise funds to support 22 health and welfare groups.

In Columbus, the first steps were taken toward creating a more unified system of charities called “The Society of Organized Charities” and was designed to prevent overlapping and duplication. It became the city’s first united community planning group and information agency. The Society operated until 1899 when it was reorganized into the Associated Charities of Columbus.

In 1913, the first Community Chest was formed in Cleveland and was modeled after the Jewish Federation. Between 1919 and 1929 the number of community chests grew from 39 to 353 and by 1948 there were 1,000.

In 1923, a major step was taken. The Columbus Community Fund was formed to conduct a combined fund-raising campaign for 28 human services agencies. The fund was chaired by the Reverend E.F. Chauncey who was the rector of Trinity Episcopal Church and who called the campaign a “crusade.” The campaign set a goal of $488,425 and successfully raised $600,769.

America’s entry into WWII changed everything. Columbus became the second city in the nation to organize a War Chest and included the coordination of various charity drives.

In 1943, Organized Labor supported the idea of workplace giving through payroll deduction. Members of AFL-CIOs were elected to boards and now national labor organizations encouraged workplace giving.

By 1948, more than 1,000 communities had established United Way organizations.

In Ohio, United Appeals of Franklin County in 1951 became United Appeal and in 1972 to conform to the national trend, we became United Way of Franklin County.

Finally, in 2000, we adopted United Way of Central Ohio to locally reflect the communities we serve.

Accountability

Our success is measured by how well we make sustainable improvements in our community.

As we work toward the goal of advancing the common good, we also work to earn our community’s trust every day by maintaining the very highest standards of accountability and transparency.

We believe we have a responsibility, both to our donors and to the community itself, to ensure that the dollars people entrust to us are invested in ways that will produce the greatest measurable impact on lives, enabling our region to thrive. We now have over 50 funded partners who share our vision of creating positive change right here, in our communities in central Ohio.

Your Contribution Will Be Well Spent

United Way rigorously studies, personally inspects and re-qualifies each organization we support — every year. Our staff and volunteer experts evaluate and assist funded programs to deliver their services effectively and efficiently.

We offer our funded programs:

Technical assistance and training
Capacity building opportunities
Guidance for defining and measuring impact
Volunteer and board member recruitment

We maximize your contribution.

We take the business of managing and investing your gift seriously. We maintain efficient and effective operations – our current administrative and fundraising costs are only 11.6 percent of total net revenues.

Our performance exceeds Better Business Bureau guidelines, due to stringent cost controls and to the dedication of thousands of volunteers.

Our extremely low overhead ensures that the vast majority of your money goes to people in need.

Diversity

We have long embraced diversity and inclusion among our key principles. Quite simply, it is encoded in our DNA.

At United Way of Central Ohio, diversity and inclusion inform every aspect of our work. We understand from experience that the best solutions are crafted by diverse perspectives and stakeholders.

Diversity is who we are. Our Board of Trustees, staff and volunteers come from many walks of life and reflect the many faces that make up our community.

Inclusion is essential to what we do. Inclusion creates and strengthens our community. It is at the heart of what it means to Live United and to advance the common good; to be a diverse and inclusive system is fundamental to reducing poverty in central Ohio.

We actively seek input and fully engage a broad range of partners to help us develop solutions that will result in long lasting change.

Years ago, we laid the foundation. Moving forward, we will continue to leverage and build upon the talent, strength and opportunity that is available in central Ohio.

Financials

We adhere to comprehensive requirements for
audited financial statements that ensure consistency
and transparency on the part of each United Way.

Our requirements are based on current best practices in our industry as well as generally accepted accounting principles and requirements. The United Way system also includes requirements for completion of the IRS Form 990 to ensure transparency using consistent standards.

Independent Organization

United Way of Central Ohio (UWCO) is an independent organization founded and governed by local volunteers to create opportunities for a better life for all. UWCO is a member of United Way Worldwide and annually completes certification of strict membership requirements.

Strict Checks And Balances

United Way of Central Ohio has a stringent system of checks and balances in place to ensure it is operated in a sound fiscal manner. Through our Board of Trustees and volunteer committees, we draw upon the financial and management expertise in our community to continuously improve our fiscal performance. The organization’s operating budget as well as its community funding decisions are reviewed and approved by several volunteer committees, including the Board of Trustees.

High Audit Ratings

Each year, United Way of Central Ohio undergoes an annual financial statement audit by an independent CPA firm. The latest audit was completed in June 2014 and our independent auditors reported our financial statements fairly and accurately present the financial position of United Way of Central Ohio. The annual audit is approved by the volunteer Audit Committee and is also reviewed by the Board of Trustees.

Openness To Sharing Financial Information

United Way of Central Ohio’s work is made possible thanks to the support of thousands of individual investors and central Ohio employers who trust us to prudently invest their donations on behalf of the common good. Information regarding donations is available to all donors and we welcome questions regarding our investments in programs and services.

United Way Worldwide Membership Standards

Department Email:

cathy.mason-vallance@uwcentralohio.org

telephone:

614.227.2729

About United Way of Central Ohio

Our Mission

Our Vision

Learn more

United Way has enjoyed the support of central Ohio for many years with a proud tradition of advancing the common good.

United Way of Central Ohio is a volunteer-driven organization

United Way of Central Ohio is a volunteer-driven organization

United Way of Central Ohio is a volunteer-driven organization

Our success is measured by how well we make sustainable improvements in our community.

Your Contribution Will Be Well Spent

We have long embraced diversity and inclusion among our key principles. Quite simply, it is encoded in our DNA.

We adhere to comprehensive requirements for audited financial statements that ensure consistency and transparency on the part of each United Way.

Independent Organization

Strict Checks And Balances

High Audit Ratings

Openness To Sharing Financial Information

United Way Worldwide Membership Standards

In order to maintain your trust, written policies and procedures are in place for your review.

The Board of Trustees guides our organization to create lasting change in central Ohio.

Lisa Ingram – Chair

Craig Marshall – Immediate Past Chair

Trudy Bartley

Barbara Benham

Donald Brown

Duane Casares

Dan Crane

Dr. J. Daniel “Dan” Good

Virginia Nunes Gutierrez

Rev. Msgr. Joseph M. Hendricks

Lana Hillebrand

Shawn Holt

Chad Jester

Adam Lewin

Steve Markovich, MD

Elizabeth Blount McCormick

Fred Ransier

Martyn R. Redgrave

Tom Rieland

Glen Skeen

Elise Spriggs

Robert Tannous

Mo Wright, M.P.A.

Karin Wurapa, MD, MPH

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About United Way
of Central Ohio

United Way has enjoyed the support of
central Ohio for many years with a proud
tradition of advancing the common good.

United Way of Central Ohio is a
volunteer-driven organization

United Way of Central Ohio is a
volunteer-driven organization

United Way of Central Ohio is a
volunteer-driven organization

We adhere to comprehensive requirements for
audited financial statements that ensure consistency
and transparency on the part of each United Way.

In order to maintain your trust, written policies
and procedures are in place for your review.