Who We Are
Our Mission: To increase the community’s understanding of human needs and to mobilize the resources to meet those needs.
The United Way of Wyandotte County is one of nearly 1,400 local United Ways across the United States. We are governed independently by a board of local community leaders and volunteers. The money we raise in Wyandotte County stays here to support local health and human service provided by private, non-profit agencies.
Community volunteers are today, as always, our greatest asset. Volunteer leadership drives the United Way of Wyandotte County mission to educate our community and mobilize resources to address critical needs. We are led by a thirty-six member Board who represent many sectors of the Wyandotte County community. The Board creates Resource Development and Resource Investment policies every year and so keeps us focused on the needs of the community. We invite you to join us.
Our Mission Statement
The mission of United Way of Wyandotte County is to increase the community's understanding of human needs and to mobilize resources to meet those needs.
The United Way of Wyandotte County was founded in 1921 as the Community Chest of Kansas City, Kansas. For all these years, it has brought together our community’s compassion and resources to protect the most vulnerable of our neighbors.
We hope you will join us in building a better Kansas City, Kansas, and Wyandotte County for our children and for one another.
You can visit United Way of Wyandotte County's profile with the Greater Kansas Community Foundation. To see our profile and give online click here:
History
The Community Chest of Wyandotte County was founded in 1921 to address the needs of the community, particularly of the very poor. Wyandotte County came together, then as now, to support critical human services. In 1958 the Community Chest merged with the Planning Council and became the United Community Fund and Council. This name stood until 1973, when we were chartered as the United Way of Wyandotte County.
In 1927 we raised and distributed $112,067.00 to recreation and subsistence programs. Over the years, we have raised money, worked with elected officials to improve federal, state, and local law, and studied the dynamics of our community, all to address the needs of our poorest neighbors. Volunteers have always led the organization and decided how to raise and distribute funds.
Oversight
United Way of America charters local United Ways, shares best practices, and other information, and monitors our performance. To learn more about United Way of America,
click here.