A United Front: Revolutionizing Fundraising
In 1887, a Denver woman, a priest, two ministers and a rabbi recognized the need for cooperative action to address their city's welfare problems. Frances Wisebart Jacobs, the Rev. 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. In 1913, in Cleveland, Ohio, the model was further developed for what became United Way.
The Cleveland Federation for Charities and Philanthropies was established in response to several Chamber of Commerce findings: that one collective campaign would cost only 5 percent of the total raised in comparison with an average of 25 percent cost among the 61 agencies conducting their own individual fundraising efforts in Cleveland at that time; that 74 people in the Cleveland area were providing one-half of the total money raised in the 61 separate campaigns; and that “unless some equitable force is brought into play to properly distribute charitable funds…some agencies will be bankrupt, others will be laying up a surplus.”
These findings formed the basis for the modern United Way. Northern Illinois adopted it in 1919, calling itself the Social Service Federation. Subsequently, several other name changes took place – Community Fund, Community Chest, United Fund and, finally United Way.
1919
December 4, 1919:
The Social Service Federation of Rockford, Illinois is formed as a collective fundraising model following the structure of The Cleveland Federation for Charities and Philanthropies. There were 20 organizations in the Federation, all of whom received funds from the collective fundraising model.
Shown to the left are the meeting notes from that first meeting on December 4, 1919. It reads:
"Minutes of the mass meeting called by Community Service to discuss the organization of a Social Service Federation in Rockford, December 4, 1919 at the Soldier's Club. The Rev. W. H. Fulton, D.D. was elected Chairman. Mr. Robt. L. Frost of Milwaukee gave an address on the benefits of a Federation in general and the work of the Milwaukee Federation. Mr. C.P. Connolly talked of the sentiment and conditions in Rockford. A committee consisting of Miss Spafford, chairman, Rev. C. A. Gage, and C.P. Connolly, were appointed by the chairman to nominate an organizing committee; It being the duty of the organizing committee to draft a constitution and by laws for the consideration at a future meeting and to nominate at that meeting officers and trustees of the Federation.
As chairman of the committee of three Miss Spafford nominated as an organizing committee the following: Rev. W. H. Fulton, Rev. John P. Flannigan, Miss Mary Ward, Mrs. Walter Forbes, Mr. C. A. Dickinson, Mr. Chas. N. Gorham, Mr. Carroll R. Reid, Mr. Ernest E. Smith, [Ross Bockstrom], and Mr. C.P. Connolly. the committee was unanimously elected. Mr. Fulton appointed Mrs. H.W. Buckbee to act as Secretary. The meeting adjourned.
[Signed, Mrs. H. W. Buckbee]
1920's
November, 1920:
"Have A Heart" adopted as the slogan for the Social Service Federation's first fundraising campaign.
December 1920:
First campaign ends, having raised $92,449 - today's equivalent of $1,458,836.
1940's
August 1946:
The Social Service Federation changes their name to "Rockford Community Chest" to conform to a nation-wide policy for similar organizations.
Below: Invoices found from the early 1940s for stationary purchases from the Graphic Arts Corporation.
1950s
September, 1951:
The organization begins serving more than just the city of Rockford. Partner agencies start serving Loves Park, North Park, Harlem, and northeast suburban areas.
October 1955:
Although still referred to as the Community Chest, the slogan "Give Today, the United Way!" appears in the newspaper.
Note on imagery below: For decades, United Ways called the members of their human services network “Red Feather” agencies. The Red Feather was part of fundraising and campaign efforts, and organizations receiving funding proudly displayed a red feather as a symbol of this partnership.
1960's
April 1966:
Community Chest transitions to Rockford United Fund, aligning with over 1,000 United Funds across the country.
1970's
United Fund begins utilizing needs assessment surveys to take a more proactive approach in determining the needs of the community and how to fund their participating agencies.
January 1973:
United Fund elects its first woman president, Georganne Eggers. Georganne had served as a United Fund Director since 1968 and was elected following the 1972 campaign.
December 1973:
Rockford United Fund board approves consolidation of the United Fund and the Council for Community Services into United Way Services, Inc.
1980's
The 1980s continued an incremental build in fundraising momentum, with a focus on raising funds via workplace campaigns. Far from the philanthropy of the few that bolstered the early Social Service Federation, this new United Way is supported by the everyday workers of the Rock River Valley.
1990's
1993:
United Way of Rock River Valley becomes the official name of the organization, serving Winnebago and Ogle Counties. The 1990's continue the growth of United Way's workplace campaigns as more local businesses join the momentum.
2000s
February 2000:
United Way of Rock River Valley becomes impact focused, aligning their resources and partners to respond to critical needs in the community, measuring the results. This shift marks the beginning of a new era for United Way - one where accountability and data-driven results are a defining factor of our grant distribution.
2010s
July 2013:
United Way of Rock River Valley becomes an issues-focused organization, using research to identify specific local concerns and provide resources to combat them. This new model gives United Way the ability to define and create programs across many organizations in the community, creating opportunities for greater collective impact. No longer a thoroughfare for donor dollars, United Way now leads the charge on specific causes.
December 4, 2019:
100 year anniversary of the conception of collective giving in Winnebago County. A celebratory gala was planned for April 2020 but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020s
June 2021:
Julie Bosma takes the reigns of UWRRV, becoming the current President & CEO.
September 4, 2023:
Our first BOLD GOAL Initiative, United for Literacy, is officially launched. This BOLD GOAL states that we aim to raise childhood literacy rates (measured in 3rd grade) from 32% to 75% BY 2034. We can't do this alone, which is why we are investing in the most foundational years of a child's life: providing funding, resources, and education to daycares, doctor's offices, libraries, schools, and more! With enough momentum and with the community on board, we can create a world where every child in our county is ready to read and succeed.
Today:
We, along with the United Way Worldwide network, are working to modernize our operations and become the best version of ourselves as we can be. Our work focuses on the impact areas of Youth Opportunity and Community Resiliency; initiatives like United for Literacy and the 211 Helpline at the forefront of our efforts in Winnebago County. Our hope is to introduce more BOLD GOALS in the future, gathering the community around additional critical issues.
