Our History

Throughout our history, community leaders have continued to come together to join their strengths and take action to strengthen our region. United Way is a local movement that gives everyone the means to bring about lasting change through giving, advocating and volunteering to create a better life for all.

1911: Concerned citizens meet to discuss how to help meet community needs. This meeting was the beginning of United Way.

1924: Richmond launched its first Community Chest campaign.

1960: The Community Fund, as it was called at that time, merged with the newly created United Fund to become the United Givers Fund of Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield.

1970: Hanover County joins the United Givers Fund.

1974: The United Givers Fund becomes known as United Way of Greater Richmond.

1989: United Way of Greater Richmond merged with United Way of Southside Virginia to form United Way Services.

2002: United Way Services completes its transformation to a community impact organization. United Way’s success could no longer be measured only by the dollars raised in the annual campaign, but was instead determined by the measurable community impact achieved by creating organized solution, funding critical programs, building capacity and improving the community’s system of services.

2004: United Way Services becomes known as United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg.