A quick history of United Way of Allegheny County |
 | 1877-1908: The need for a single, short-term, combined appeal for food, shelter and medical supplies was the impetus for the first United Way-type fund raising organization that emerged in Liverpool, England in 1877. That effort arrived in Pittsburgh in 1908 as the Associated Charities formed to bring together charities under one fund raising drive. 1922: As early as 1922, the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce urged the many local fund raising groups to combine into one campaign, but it wasn't until 1927 that the Welfare Fund of Pittsburgh was chartered. |
 | 1928-1933: In 1928, the Welfare Fund conducted its first campaign for 25 agencies in Allegheny County. With the beginning of the depression and the proliferation of relief programs, the term, "welfare," had become synonymous with federal relief. As a result, in 1933, the Welfare Fund changed its name to the Community Fund. |
 | 1941-1946: In 1941, the Community Fund supported the first USO campaign. Later that year, a United Fund (not to be confused with the United Fund that was created later) was organized to provide Allegheny County's share of a nationwide war-related appeal. The United War Fund, of which the Community Fund became a member agency and the operating organization, was organized in 1943 as the successor to the old United Fund. The Community Fund and the United War Fund merged in 1946 to form the Community Chest of Allegheny County. |
 | 1956: In 1956, United Fund of Allegheny County was chartered, following a study of a report calling for the unification of fund raising drives. The Community Chest of Allegheny County became the first member agency of United Fund of Allegheny County. |
 | 1973-1974: In 1973, the Pennsylvania Economy League recommended a complete merger of United Fund and the Community Chest into United Fund of Allegheny County with one board of directors and a single staff. United Way of Allegheny County emerged as the successor organization in 1974, resulting in the centralization of the fundraising, planning and allocations functions. |
 | 1988: In 1988 United Way introduced the Leadership Giving Program. The program encourages contributions of $1,000 or more in varying recognition levels. |
 | 1991: In 1991, United Way of Allegheny County created United Way Days of Caring. Now the region's largest volunteer event, Day of Caring kicks off the annual fund raising drive by mobilizing thousands of volunteers in a single day of community service in September. |
 | 1994: In 1994, United Way and The Pittsburgh Foundation teamed up to create the United Way/Pittsburgh Foundation Endowment Partnership. Now called The Red Feather Society, the program offers a range of planned giving instruments that continues the public's commitment to the community well into the future. |
 | 2001: In March of 2001, United Way launched their new web venture, www.unitedwaypittsburgh.org, which allows individuals to search for services, learn about issues like health care and parenting, provide disaster assistance, volunteer in their communities and even contribute online to non profit agencies and programs. |
 | 2002: In 2002, United Way launched the Impact Fund, which will support initiatives that address the critical community needs of Children & Families, Employment, Health, Housing, Neighborhoods, and Seniors. |
 | 2003: To better serve the needs of our donors, companies, agencies, subscribers, and the public, we launched a web site redesign and streamlined our ePledge process, making donating online faster and easier than ever. |
