Our History

In 1887, a Denver priest, two ministers and a rabbi recognized the need for cooperative action to address their city’s welfare problems. The Reverend Myron W. Reed, Msgr. William J. O’Ryan, Dean H. Martyn Hart and Rabbi William S. Friedman put their heads together to plan the first united campaign for ten health and welfare agencies. They created an organization to serve as an agent to collect funds for local charities, as well as to coordinate relief services, counsel and refer clients to cooperating agencies, and make emergency assistance grants in cases which could not be referred. That year, Denver raised $21,700 and created a movement that would spread throughout the country to become the United Way. Over 120 years later, United Way is still focused on mobilizing the caring power of communities and making a difference in people’s lives.

In 1937, the Poughkeepsie Community Chest formed, and then 1942, they joined together with five Poughkeepsie war relief organizations to become the Greater Poughkeepsie War Chest.

In July 1948, the Greater Newburgh Community Chest, Inc. was formed with the intention to solicit and collect financial contributions for the improvement, development or care of the health, welfare, and well-being of the residents of the City of Newburgh, NY and its surrounding areas. This also included dispersion of real or personal property in accordance with the donors’ wishes. In September 1966 the Greater Newburgh Community Chest, Inc. changed its name to Orange Area United Fund, Inc.

In 1971, the Dutchess County Community Chest & Council changed its name to United Way of Dutchess County, Inc.

In  1987 Orange Area United Fund, Inc. and United Way of Orange County, (originally called United Way of Western Orange County, based in Middletown, NY) consolidated to become United Way of Orange County, Inc.

For over 70 years now, your United Way has worked to identify needs, find ways to address those needs through local agencies, and raise the money to meet those needs. As a leader in advancing community dialogue and a vital force to increase philanthropy, United Way makes a measurable difference. We provide the mechanism through which neighbors help one another. By giving, advocating, and volunteering, we can all LIVE UNITED.

Help us to make history by LIVING UNITED today!