| 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.
|
