Who We Are.....
Calhoun County saw its first united appeals effort in the 1920s when the local Kiwanis Club
and Rotary Club combined their fundraising efforts to help children living in poverty. Their
organized efforts established Calhoun County’s first Community Chest. As time went by and
the fundraising efforts grew, community leaders decided that it was time to grow the
capacity of this annual campaign further. The United Way was established, and in 1955, the
organization was incorporated to officially become United Way of Calhoun County.
In 1994, United Way of Calhoun County expanded its coverage area to serve residents in
Cleburne and Randolph counties and changed its name to United Way of East Central
Alabama. Today, United Way of East Central Alabama remains the largest fundraising effort
in the area, with revenue of over $1 million each year. These efforts allow the organization
to fund and support 24 Community Partners and 8 initiatives across our communities.
Staying true to the vision of that first united appeals effort in the 1920’s, United Way of East
Central Alabama is working every day to advance the common good and positively impact
our communities. We are investing in the Focus Areas of Education, Income & Health
because we believe these are the building blocks for a good quality of life for all. Our entire
community wins when a child succeeds in school and life, when a resident finds gainful
employment to support a family, and when individuals and families are safe and healthy. We
are also investing in services vital to the immediate Basic Needs of the most vulnerable
members of our community. We believe these services will help them achieve stability so
they, too, can begin working on the building blocks of a good life for themselves.
In the end, we are seeking to partner with others and invest in programs that achieve
positive, lasting outcomes and create brighter opportunities for our residents. As we move
forward, we believe that the collective impact of these efforts will translate into better, more
vibrant communities for all of us!