• 1887 – In Denver, Colorado, ten small welfare agencies united to conduct a single funds appeal.
• 1909 – Milwaukee & Pittsburgh, the first Councils of Social Agencies were organized to provide central services for agencies.
• 1913 – Cleveland, Ohio, added budgeting to single campaign concept, i.e., funds were allocated to agencies on the basis of demonstrated need rather than on hopes for as much as possible.
• World War I – War Drive – Chests plus Foreign Relief Agencies.
• 1917 – Some 300 cities organized War Chests, combining appeals for both overseas and hometown use. Chests included Red Cross, Salvation Army, and others.
• 1919 – Rochester, New York, carried on the idea of the War Chest, and created the term “Community Chest.” Other cities soon followed suit.
• 1942 United War Funds organized.

LOCAL UNITED WAY

• “A meeting of the Board of Directors of the United Fund of Hutchinson was held on September 4, 1962, at the Hutchinson City Hall for the purpose of electing officers, operating committees and a discussion of general policies.” The officers were elected and scheduled to serve until January 1963. They were: Jack Busch – President, Dr. Barney Johnson – Secretary, Bob Stearns – Vice President, Mrs. W.L. Sahr, Treasurer.
• “It was decided that in order to tie in with the national campaign, the name of the organization should be the “United Fund of Hutchinson.” It was decided for this year the campaign be limited to the City of Hutchinson, with the possibility of expansion in the future.”
• In 1964 the By-Laws were amended. Article III was changed to define the officers and their responsibilities.
• In 1965 the four surrounding townships, Acoma, Hassan Valley, Lynn, and Hutchinson were invited by President, June Otterness, to join with the Hutchinson United Fund if they desired. Acoma township joined the Hutchinson United Fund in 1965.
• In 1966, Lynn, Hassan Valley, and Hutchinson townships were again invited to join the United Fund. Hutchinson township joined the Hutchinson United Fund.
• In 1968 the United Fund included the City of Hutchinson and the four surrounding townships. The organization’s name was changed from the United Fund of Hutchinson to the “Hutchinson Area United Fund.”
• In 1979, by action of the Board of Directors the name was changed to the “Hutchinson Area United Way.”
  In 2007, by action of the Board of Directors the name was changed to the “United Way of McLeod County.”