Our History

What we know today as United Way of the River Cities, Inc. was founded in 1922. It was organized by local residents for the purpose of reducing the number of fund drives and to ameliorate the human service concerns of the day. In its early years, United Way was able to completely fund agencies. Today United Way helps fund 34 social service agencies in Lawrence County, Ohio and Cabell, Wayne, Lincoln and Mason counties in West Virginia.

United Way’s genesis is interesting and a reflection of a community that has and continues to care about its residents. In Cabell County the civic department of the Huntington Women’s Club, in an attempt to improve communication and cooperation among the human-need agencies, organized the Council of Social Agencies in 1920. Their goals included combining programs which overlapped and developing new programs to address unmet needs. Through this organization, the Community Chest was organized in July 1922. The name “United Fund” was adopted in 1954. The basic function of the United Fund was to raise funds. The function of planning was in the hands of the Community Welfare Council (formerly Council of Social Agencies). In 1959 these two groups agreed to merge, and became known as the United Community Services. In 1977, United Community Services changed its name to United Way of Cabell-Wayne.

In Lawrence County, Ohio interested community leaders met on September 25, 1944 to organize the Ironton Community Chest. The goal of the Ironton Community Chest was to provide funding to local social service agencies. In 1957, this organization was dissolved and all assets were given to a newly organized entity known as the United Fund. The name of United Fund was changed to Lawrence County United Way in 1972.

In March 1986, the United Way of Cabell-Wayne and the Lawrence County United Way merged to become the River Cities United Way, Inc. In April 1987, the name of the organization was changed from the River Cities United Way, Inc. to United Way of the River Cities, Inc.

Since 2004, United Way of the River Cities has been involved in an organizational transition. The transition has centered on moving United Way from an organization that only fundraises for “member agencies” to one that supports programs which provide safety-net service and strategies that seek to create long-term solutions to critical issues. United Way also convenes community partners to address tough problems. United Way helps these efforts through funds raised, by securing outside funding, and by providing in-kind support.

United Way of the River Cities focuses its work in the areas of health, education, financial stability and basic needs in order to advance the common good in our region. Community members can support this work by giving their financial support, advocating for a cause about which they are passionate, and/or volunteering their time.