The United Way of Grant County has a rich history in this community. Organized in 1929 under the name of Marion Community Chest, the organization served eight member agencies. Those original member organizations were Grant County Tuberculosis Association, Marion General Hospital, Grant County Red Cross, Boy Scouts, Y.M.C.A., Y.W.C.A., Family Welfare Society, and The Salvation Army.
During that very first campaign, in 1929, a total of $48,851 was raised. Marion Community Chest continued to serve the Grant County Community until 1943 when it became the Grant County War Chest.
Those early campaigns conducted by the Marion Community Chest generated anywhere from a high of $59,093 in 1932 to a low of $25,291 in 1939.
The original eight member agencies did not change during those early years with the exception of Marion General Hospital which withdrew in 1939. The first new agency, Carver Community Center, was added in 1942. This paved the way for the addition of several more agencies. The Girl Scouts were added in 1943 and Teenage Recreation Center in 1945.
On June 19, 1956, ninety-six citizens of Grant County met to consider the organization of a United Fund for Grant County.
A fact finding committee, chaired by Cornell Bailey, spent much time in assembling all available information about every voluntary fund drive held during a twelve month period. This information included goals, results, costs, and number of volunteer solicitors involved. This information came from eight different organizations including the Grant County War Chest. The facts obtained showed that a total of 1,256 solicitors were used to raise a combined total of $176,865 over a period of 262 days.
The finding of the committee revealed that several of the goals were unmet and the number of solicitors and time involved was great. The committee's recommendation was that a United Fund be organized to reduce the demand of solicitor time and effort.
The results of that June meeting was the formation of the United Fund of Grant County which, in 1974, became today's United Way of Grant County.
The first United Fund campaign raised $238,608 or 134% of its goal. These funds were used to provide allocations to twenty member agencies.
The United Fund experienced two major milestones during 1962. The first was the inclusion of the Boy's Club as a member agency. The second was the establishment of a citizens' budgeting panel. This panel's purpose was to review agency budgets and programs in related fields of service. This plan of operation provided for a greater understanding of these services and their costs. The formation of this committee paved the way for our current allocations process.
With the annual in-plant solicitations came the need to establish a suggested giving amount. In 1964, on the recommendation of the Central Labor Union, a suggested minimum fair share gift was established of one hour's pay per month. This standard still exists today.
To meet the ever increasing needs of those within the labor movement in Grant County, the position of Labor Liaison was created in 1969. This position continues to play a viable part in our community and throughout the labor movement.
The United Way has seen many changes during the past seventy three years and continues to play a very important part in our community. One of the major changes facing the organization today is the allocations process. To ensure that the organization and its agencies remain active, a different approach has been taken in funding today's sixteen member agencies. Through the purchasing of programs, as opposed to agency funding, board members are supplying the community with the services residents say are needed.
During the 1990's the United Way of Grant County became involved with the Indiana Association of United Way's Giant Step Initiative. This program, funded by the Lilly Endowment, offered various grants to United Ways throughout Indiana. During the years of 1991 through 1994 Grant County received a total of $164,000 in monetary grants. These grants were used for the Giant Step Media Campaign and the COMPASS Project. Matching funds were received through their Leadership Giving program designed for all new givers. An up to date computer system was also provided with Giant Step money. Participation in Giant Step enabled the United Way to "come out of the box" and take a more visible, active part in the community.
With the opening of the new Marion/Grant County Senior Center in 1991, the United Way demonstrated its deep commitment to the community. Through the collaborative efforts of the City of Marion and Grant County, the Senior Center has become one of the fastest growing "new" agencies in Grant County.
The United Way's other current member agencies include; American Red Cross, Boy Scouts, Boys'& Girls' Club of Grant County, Cancer Services, Carey Services, Clarence Faulkner Community Center, Family Service Society, Girl Scouts, Grant-Blackford Mental Health, Grant County Society for Crippled Children and Adults, Services for the Visually and Hearing Impaired, St. Martin Community Center, The Salvation Army, Y.M.C.A. and Y.W.C.A.
With the establishment of an endowment through the Community Foundation in 1995, the United Way has demonstrated that it is planning for the future.
Due to the ever increasing challenge for the charitable dollar, alternative means of funding have to be sought. To help with this situation, "United Way Day" was born. The brainchild of Doug Lance of Lance's New Market, this one day event has grown almost four-fold since its inception in 1993.
The United Way is accountable to the community for every dollar raised and spent. It is committed to spending the funds wisely and in a cost-effective manner. It is dedicated to conducting the annual campaign at the lowest possible costs.
The United Way strives to serve the community and its sixteen member agencies. With the support of its dedicated and caring board members and the financial support of the community, it will continue to ensure that the needs of the community are met well into the next century.