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OUR HISTORY

"If Duluth is worth living in, then it's worth living for." This is the slogan used by the Community Fund in 1922, in its first year of existence. In one week, a group of 500 women raised $208,560 for 20 local health and human service organizations. Every year since then, a group of dedicated volunteers has united to raise and distribute funds to support vital programs for people in need in the greater Duluth area.

While the organization name has changed (to Community Chest in 1948, United Fund in 1962, and finally United Way), and its goals have evolved, United Way continues to fund essential health and human services in the greater Duluth community.

In 2008, as a result of the annual fundraising campaign, more than 50 local programs received $1,549,168 in financial support in the following four focus areas: Child & Youth Development, Basic Human Services, Health, Wellness and Healing, and Economic Well-Being. Funding distribution decisions are made by community volunteers.

Beyond this role as fundraiser and fund distributor, the 2002-2007 strategic plan guides United Way of Greater Duluth to an increased focus on community building efforts and outcome-based evaluation for its work and that of the organizations it supports.

With the goal of community building as an underpinning principle, United Way of Greater Duluth utilizes its resources, information, and assets to work with others on projects and collaborative opportunities that maximize resources and positively impact the community and region.