Donate Online   Pledge card (PDF)   Governance What Sets Us   Apart Our Volunteer   Leadership Financial   Accountability Just For Youth Organizational   Structure A Brief History   of United Way Back     NATIONALLY In 1887, a group of six visionaries: a woman and five clergymen funded the first United Way organization in Denver, Colorado. The Charity Society was founded as these six leaders believed that there was a better way to meet local needs. The first combined fundraising campaign for 22 member agencies collected over $21,000.   In 1913, the nation’s first Community Chest was born in Cleveland, Ohio. There a program for allocating funds was developed. The name Community Chest was widely used for United Way organizations until the 1950s.   Between 1919 and 1948 the number of Community Chests grew from 39 to over 1,000. Today there are over 1,300 local United Ways in communities across the country. Including the statewide umbrella organization, United Way of New York State, there are 43 United Ways in New York.   HERE IN TOMPKINS COUNTY The Ithaca Community Chest was formed in 1921. Robert H. Treman was the first Community Chest Board President. Mr. Treman served in that role through 1923. He served again as board president in 1925.   Walter F. Wilcox was the Community Chest’s first Budget Committee Chair, and he held that position through 1928. The first Campaign Chair was Clarence Tarbell. George Rogalsky and William Boyd followed Mr. Tarbell as Campaign Chairs. Both men held the position for two years.   In 1956, the Community Chest became the Tompkins County Community Fund. After serving two years as Community Chest Board President, William H. Keenan became the Tompkins County United Fund’s first Board President. He also served in this new position for two years.   Then in 1973, the Tompkins County Community Fund became the United Way of Tompkins County. Wendell G. Earle became the United Way of Tompkins County’s first Board President.