We Live United

Our Legacy

In 1887, Frances Wisebart Jacobs, the Rev. Myron W. Reed, Msgr. William J.O’Ryan, Dean H. Martyn Hart and Rabbi William S. Friedman created the nation’s first united campaign, benefitting 10 area health and welfare agencies. The organization collected funds for local charities and coordinated relief services. That year, Denver raised $21,700, and created a movement that would become United Way.

In 1917, the nonprofit, known then as Detroit Community Union, served as our region’s first unifier — convening the power of public, private and nonprofit partners to better serve our community.

For more than 100 years, we’ve responded to the community’s most pressing challenges around children and family, health and the community. Honored with a symbolic or actual “torch drive” each year, our annual campaign has brought thousands of companies and individuals together for a common cause: supporting our Southeastern Michigan communities.

In 2005, United Way Community Services and United Way of Oakland County evolved and voted to create a new organization: United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

And in 2017, we celebrated A Century of Living United — our organization’s 100th anniversary.

Although our name has evolved over the years, our core mission to positively impact the community through collaborative effort has never changed.