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

For over 70 years, 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. United Way of Dutchess County is one of the area’s premier community-impact organizations, serving as a resource and convener to help increase community capacity to meet community needs. As a leader in advancing community dialogue and a vital force to increase philanthropy, UWDC makes a measurable difference.

Help us to make history by LIVING UNITED today!