About Us

THE UNITED WAY MOVEMENT

The United Way movement is the largest private, philanthropic, non-profit, voluntary organization in the world. There are over 2,000 local United Ways throughout the United States. In addition other United Ways are located in Canada, Japan, Latin America, Asia and Europe.

The concept of United Way fund raising originated in 1887 when four clergymen joined forces in Denver, Colorado to organize a single campaign to support more than a score of community service organizations. Their success spread. In 1913, the principle of allocating funds to beneficiary agencies according to their ability to meet vital community needs was introduced in Cleveland, Ohio.

The movement continued to grow. In 1918, twelve men met in Chicago and agreed to form a national association which they called the American Association for Community Organization. This organization later became the United Community Funds and Councils of America, Inc. This name was retained until 1970 when the national Board of Governors approved a change to United Way of America.

Over the years, the United Way movement has been known by several different names, including Community Chest and United Fund. Today most local United Way organizations are under one name--United Way, and one symbol--the hand and rainbow design. Their common message was, "Thanks to you it works for all of us."

HISTORY OF THE UNITED WAY OF LAREDO, INC.

Since 1940, Laredoans have recognized the principle of combining many fund raising campaigns as one of the most efficient and effective ways of meeting the human care needs of this growing community.

The Laredo Community Chest was organized in the mid 1940s and sponsored by community leaders in response to public demand for two things: a unified charity appeal; and an improvement in the quality of services provided. The first campaign raised $59,000, achieved 101 percent of its goal and distributed funds to 6 agencies. It set a pattern for voluntarism as business and professional leaders joined thousands of Laredoans from all walks of life in support of the campaign.

In 1963, a new charter was obtained in order to broaden the membership to include national as well as local charitable causes. As a result of this effort the United Fund of Laredo came into being. At the same time methods were developing to better analyze and evaluate services provided by charitable organizations.

In 1984, the name was changed - from the United Fund to the United Way of Laredo. This was done to change our image from a fund raising organization to an organization that meets the full range of community needs. It also provided the opportunity to take advantage of the excellent publicity that is run on national television and radio by the United Way of America.

As the city has grown, so have human care needs, and the demands on the United Way agencies. To meet these needs, the United Way is continually assuming increased responsibilities.