About Your United Way

United Way of Summit County is a nonprofit fundraising and community service organization supporting 114 programs provided by 57 local affiliated and non-affiliated health and human service agencies in Summit County, (some programs are supported by Development Fund Grants and Priority Area Grants). Visit Impact Areas to see the full list.

United Way of Summit County works to advance our common good in Summit County through Education, Income and Health services to:

EDUCATION:
Ensure that children are ready to succeed in school and are on track to become productive adults, as well as nurturing safe and self-sufficient families.

INCOME:
Build an environment where individuals, seniors and families are provided the means to live independently and productively, and to achieve financial stability.

HEALTH:
Ensure that individuals, seniors and families have access to temporary emergency services. Promote the overall mental and physical wellness of individuals and families in our communities.

The History of United Way of Summit County

United Way of Summit County is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has supported health and human service programs in our community for over 90 years. It plays a vital role in assessing the needs and challenges faced by our community, raising funds and distributing financial support to local non-profit organizations to meet these needs and coordinating volunteers throughout Summit County.

1918	Led by civic leader W.D. Shilts from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Better Akron Foundation became Akron’s first united solicitation. It was an outgrowth of the WWI War Chest drives and raised $1.5 million.
1938	Better Akron Foundation renamed Akron Community Chest.
1939	Akron Community Chest was renamed Akron Community and War Chest, until after WWII when the name was changed to United Community Chest.
1951	Akron was the seventh U.S. city to join the United Foundation, a centralized organization that brought together several organizations that were already raising funds. The Red Cross became one of the partners in this new group. $2 million were raised, exceeding their goal by $100,000.
1956	Renamed again, this time it was called the United Foundation of Summit County.
1965	United Way Women, an educational and fund-raising arm of the United Foundation was formed to educate and inform people of the services available and recognize female volunteers.
1975	United Community Council and United Foundation of Summit County merged to form United Way of Summit County.
1982	United Way of Summit County moves into new offices on North Prospect Street.
1989	The Tocqueville Society was implemented locally to recognize donors of $10,000 or more.
1990	United Way of Summit County surpasses its goal of $10 million for the first time in the organization’s history.
1996	The Young Leadership Society formed for donors, 40 or younger, who contribute $1,000 or more.
1997	The Evergreen Society was formed to recognize benefactors who mention United Way in their wills, invest in a life income gift or give a gift to the Endowment Fund.
1998	The Women’s Leadership Giving Society was established.
2001	The Volunteer Center of Summit County becomes a division of United Way. Project Blueprint, a volunteer development program, begins in Summit County. Impact Areas and Impact Councils introduced.
2004	Merger with the Barberton Area United Way produces a true countywide United Way to improve service delivery and efficiency.
2005	United Way of Summit County Youth Initiative established.
2006	The Dorothy O. Jackson Society is established to increase minority giving and to increase involvement of minorities in United Way.
2008	United Way of Summit County celebrates 90 years of serving our community. View the timeline (PDF) View the 90th Anniversary Video (Windows Media Player)
2009	Student United Way established at The University of Akron. The Student United Way works in coordination with the United Way of Summit County and is part of a national movement of young people on college campuses across our country working and learning to advance the common good. Neighborhood Leadership Institute graduates the first class. The Institute was developed by the United Way of Summit County – Attaining Independence Impact Council in collaboration with a host of other community partners.

Learn more about the history of United Way of Summit County

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