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About United Way

United Way in America
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 118 years later, United Way is still focused on mobilizing the caring power of communities and making a difference in people’s lives.

United Way is a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and people’s lives. Building on more than a century of service as the nation’s preeminent community-based fundraiser, United Way engages the community to identify the underlying causes of the most significant local issues, develops strategies and pulls together financial and human resources to address them, and measures the results. United Way of America is the national organization dedicated to leading the United Way movement. While local United Ways tackle issues based on local needs, common focus areas include helping children and youth succeed, improving access to health care, promoting self-sufficiency, and strengthening families.

United Way of Garfield County
Our mission is to help ordinary people to make an extraordinary difference by assisting those most in need throughout our communities.

United Way of Garfield County pays a small fee to United Way of America for membership. This allows us to be part of the network of United Ways across America that sends contributions to Garfield County from non-Colorado-based businesses and employees.

United Way of Garfield County is a non-profit organization recognized by the Federal Government and State of Colorado. 100% of local contributions stay in the county to help agencies and support United Way programming. United Way's current tax form is available on the Secretary of State's web site or by calling 625-8189.

Contributions raised in the fall campaign are distributed the following year. In early spring, a volunteer group of local citizens will review agency requests and determine the level of support to each agency. Information will be disseminated to the public through local media outlets.