What is United Way?

United Way of Bennington County Executive Assistant Sue Brace (left) and Executive Director Wendy Woods (right) mobilize their community.

The United Way movement began in Denver, Colorado in 1887. Locally, the United Way of Bennington County was formed in 1981.

United Way’s mission is to is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities.

United Way works to accomplish this mission by providing donors and volunteers (United Way’s customers) with:

• a way to make one contribution reach many people in need of help;
• a way to distribute charitable gifts responsibly;
• a way to ensure that charitable gifts are well spent;
• a way to coordinate volunteer and economic resources to solve community problems.

United Way of Bennington County: A Brief History

Organized in 1981, United Way of Bennington County is an independent, non-profit organization governed by a local, volunteer board of directors. During the first two years of operation, The United Way of Bennington County was sponsored by the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC). The medical center assumed a leadership role in lieu of direct financial contributions to the charter agencies. The medical center gave executive direction, provided bookkeeping and secretarial services and donated copying, postage and office supplies. To this day, SVMC takes a leadership role in United Way’s campaign both in donations and collaborative efforts.

The hospital was not alone in the initial stages of this venture’s development. Area businesses and industries had a vested interest in supporting an “umbrella” campaign to meet the needs of several area agencies through one concerted effort. Leaders of these businesses both endorsed the concept of the United Way and volunteered to serve on its board of directors.

In June of 1983 the United Way of Bennington County hired its first executive director and moved from the hospital. In 1981 the original campaign total was $59,000. This figure was greater than that of any other Vermont United Way’s first effort.

The United Way of Bennington County provides a grassroots approach for people to work together toward a common goal making our community a better place to live. United Way works in partnership with businesses, schools, government, non-profit agencies, religious organizations, volunteers and donors to meet the human care needs of friends and neighbors. This is accomplished by offering the community a way to make one contribution reach many people in need. The United Way of Bennington County strategically distributes charitable gifts where they will have the greatest impact by relying on donor direction along with our Allocations’ team and Board of Directors’ insight. The focus is on providing solutions to community problems and connecting volunteers with agencies that are in need of volunteer support. The United Way of Bennington County is a community leader with the ability to convene diverse constituents and focus resources to meet current and emerging challenges unique to our geographical area. United Way mobilizes people to deliver results in Bennington County.