Live United | United Way

Our History

2007

  • This past year saw the publication of our latest Community Needs Assessment
  • A major advancement in how we measure and communicate this community change was released earlier this year. The State of Caring Index is a compilation of a number of indicators that helps to show how well a community cares for its own. Through research assistance from United Way of America an initial measurement gives Atlantic County an index of 67.2 on a scale of 0-100.
  • The annual fundraising campaign has experienced another challenging year, but because of the hard work by many campaign volunteers and generosity of thousands of donors we are projecting that the campaign will reach $2,740,000 – our first campaign increase in four years.

2006

  • Our United Way’s Core Priority Funding Process is now completely phased in, but the second double-digit decline in available funds resulted in another challenging year for our grant-making process.
  • We were able to increase our funding in the affordable housing need area by partnering with Covenant House and the AC Rescue Mission on programs aimed at providing rental or utilities deposits for individuals seeking housing. We’ve built upon this model by applying for and receiving a $10,000 grant from Bank of America to bolster these resources.
  • The big story for Success By 6 this year is the creation and launch of the Women’s Leadership Initiative. This new effort has already enlisted a powerful network of 43 women in our community, who are committed to effect change in the lives of young children through active leadership, philanthropy and advocacy. Over $21,000 has been generated to date

2005

  • The 2-1-1 Non-Emergency Helpline becomes active in Atlantic County through a partnership between UWAC and the County government.
  • An updated Community Needs Assessment begins to 'dig deeper' into the areas identifies in 2001.
  • UWAC completes the transition to Core Priority Funding by awarding grants to Fosting Safer Homes & Neighborhoods and Promoting Mental Wellness.
  • The Core Priorities of Reducing Substance Abuse and Promoting Mental Wellness are combined to create a total of four priorities.

2004

  • UWAC continues the phase-in of the Core Priority Funding, awarding funding for Providing Basic Needs & Increasing Self-Sufficiency and Supporting Community Health Issues.
  • UWAC again updates its Strategic Plan to take the organization through 2007.

2003

  • UWAC announces new Core Priority Funding Process and 5 Core Priorities at a June press conference. The first grants through this phased-in process are awarded to programs that are targeted at Reducing Substance Abuse.
  • Catholic Charities, Camden Diocese, was admitted as a Partner Agency.
  • In July, UWAC purchased a permanent, cost-effective office space to house our expanding organization, located at 4 East Jimmie Leeds Road in Galloway.
  • UWAC assumed management of Success By 6, a nationally-recognized, community-based private and public collaborative dedicated to addressing the critical issues that face children from birth to 6 years of age. SB6 was launched in Atlantic County in 1995 by the AtlantiCare Foundation with the primary focus on improving childhood immunization rates.
  • United Way's Volunteer Center of Atlantic County is accredited by the Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network.
  • Court Appointed Special Advocates of Atlantic and Cape May Counties (CASA) joins as newest UWAC partner agency.

2002

  • Yet another record-setting year for United Way of Atlantic County!! With Mark Brown, president/CEO of Trump Hotels & Casinos, at the helm, the 2002 Campaign raises $3.6 million.
  • UWAC implements its first-ever campaign-wide incentive, offering a chance at prizes for people who donate $3 or more per week.

2001

  • UWAC responds to the tragedies of September 11th. More than $140,000 is donated through UWAC to United Way's September 11th Fund to meet the immediate and long-term needs of the people and communities affected by the tragedies.
  • The 2001 Campaign raises another record-setting amount, $3.4 million -- a 5 percent increase over 2000's efforts.
  • UWAC partners with Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies to create the PowerPlay for United Way, similar to the Home Run Club.
  • The inaugural United Ride raises more than $6,400 for UWAC. The event, organized by employees at Tropicana Casino & Hotel, attracts more than 500 motorcyclists who tour the Pinelands in support of United Way. Half the proceeds were donated to the United Way's September 11th Fund.
  • The completion of the new Strategic Plan ushers in a new direction for UWAC known as Community Impact. UWAC adopts a new mission statement --"Uniting generosity with Community Needs."
  • UWAC, led by the Community Initiatives Committee, begins to conduct a Community Needs Assessment to determine our community's most pressing health and human service needs.

2000

  • John Emge, with 15 years of United Way experience, begins duties as the new Executive Director of United Way of Atlantic County.
  • Led by Thomas J. Kuhar, the 2000 Campaign achieves record-setting results by reaching $3.2 million.
  • UWAC initiates another strategic planning process

1999

  • Executive Director Scott Ferguson leaves United Way of Atlantic County to head United Way of Greater Utica, NY.
  • Under the leadership of Campaign Chair Bob Fiedler from Conectiv, the 1999 Campaign reaches just over $2,930,000--second highest campaign in UWAC's history.
  • UWAC admits two new member agencies-- Disabilities Resource Center and Atlantic City YouthBuild.
  • UWAC partnered with the Atlantic City Surf baseball team to form the Home Run Club, a successful fundraising endeavor in which sponsor companies donate $10 for every Home Run hit by a Surf team member during the season. This first season raised nearly $6,000 for United Way.

1998

  • United Way of Atlantic County not only achieves, but also surpasses, the nine-year-old campaign goal of $3 million, raising $3,013,130 under the leadership of Tim Wilmott, division president of Harrah’s Atlantic City.
  • Outcome measurement system was piloted with member agencies.
  • The creation and introduction of the United Way mascot, Captain United and the organization won two national awards for advertising.

1997

  • United Way of Atlantic County sold the property at 200 N Texas Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ, and United Way of Atlantic County and the United Way's Volunteer Center moved into a rented facility at 6712 Washington Avenue, Suite 104, Egg Harbor Township, NJ.

1996

  • A new executive director, Scott Ferguson, was hired on September 30, 1996. He introduced a new logo and tagline for United Way of Atlantic County.

1995

  • Contracted with an outside firm to develop a new strategic plan. Adopted a new mission statement: "To develop resources and raise funds in the workplace to address health and human service needs in Atlantic County through partnership with social service agencies."
  • A merger between the Volunteer Center of Atlantic County and United Way of Atlantic County took place on December 29, 1995. The Volunteer Center of Atlantic County was renamed the United Way's Volunteer Center of Atlantic County.

1992

  • New Executive Director hired. Rosalia Velazquez becomes the first woman and first person of color to serve as Executive Director of United Way of Atlantic County.
  • United Way of America undergoes critical media scrutiny following a scandal involving president William Aramony. UWAC withholds dues to United Way of America, calling for massive reforms at the national organization.

1991

  • Strategic plan conducted changing direction of organization, introducing concept of customer, marketing, community problem solving.
  • UWAC purchases facility at 200 N. Texas Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ.

1989

  • Now 31 agencies, $2,700,000 raised by Henry Applegate, III Campaign Chair.

1988

  • Now 29 agencies, $2,500,000 raised by Peter Boynton, Campaign Chairman.

1987

  • Now 28 agencies, $2,330,000 raised by Michael Jarrett, Campaign Chairman.
  • New mission statement developed, "To increased the organized capacity for people to care for one another." Goal to double financial resources and volunteer capacity by 1991.

1986

  • Another landmark year as $2,104,000 raised to send United Way of Atlantic County into Metro III group, 22% increased over 1985, John M. Gallaway is Campaign Chairman.

1984

  • After serving 31 years as Executive Director of the United Way, Alan Angelo retires and a new Director, Raymond B. Jacoby, is welcomed aboard.
  • $1,800,000 raised with President John D. Feehan, 15% raised over the year before. Irwin Pastor, Campaign Chairman.

1982

  • The first women president of United Way of Atlantic County Board of Directors, Carol Fuessner, enters office.

1981

  • A landmark year as the campaign passed the "million dollar" mark with Will Gemmel as Campaign Chairman.

1980

  • With the advent of casino gaming a new source of support indicated future campaigns were going to take on new dimensions.
  • Two additional agencies joined United Way for a total of 24.

1978

  • Campaign set a "new high" realizing $517,848 under Robert Flippen's leader as President and Campaign Chairman.

1974

  • Campaign passed $400,000 when it raised $420,000 with "Pilot Programs" making major contribution to its success.

1973

  • Following national trends the local organization renamed itself the United Way of Atlantic County, adopted the national logo and campaign theme of "Thanks to you - it works for all of us."
  • Citizens' Budget Committee urged UW Board to accept goal of $470,000 to meet agency needs. Hank Remis was hired as Associate Director.

1971

  • Campaign leaders discontinued "house-to-house" canvass.

1968

  • Campaign goal for 28 agencies was announced as $369,000 additional agencies, more county-wide employee programs result in another "Over the Top" effort when $299,346 was raised on goal $298,998. George Meagher was successful President.

1967

  • Another organizational change and the Community Chest again became the United Fund of Atlantic County and five new agencies were added under Morris B. Stevenson's leadership as President.

1966

  • Campaign solicitation was taken to the Mainland with the start of employee programs by major employers in Linwood, Pomona, Egg Harbor and Hammonton.
  • Campaign goal of $235,000 was exceeded when $237,000 was realized with the increased support of employee programs.

1965

  • Campaign goal was set at $270,000 to meet requested agency needs.

1961

  • Second "Over the Top" campaign raised $196,000.

1959

  • Community Chest President, Carl Carlson, recommended the "Chest go out of business," which resulted in a new surge of business leadership and support.

1954

  • Campaign goal reached a new high of $200,000. Theodore Kendall was Campaign Chairman. Alan Angelo was hired as Executive Director.
  • Budget Committee was restructured to be more representative of the contributors than agency oriented.

1950

  • Community Chest of Absecon Island underwent name change and organizational structure to become the United Fund of Atlantic County. B.L. England was President.
  • First campaign as the United Fund made a "county-wide" effort, and, like the following year did not prove successful and the community leaders returned to functioning as the Community Chest.

1946

  • End of war, various organizations going separate ways, by their own decision, and Community Chest returns to a single campaign.
  • First campaign to go "over the top" raising $120,000 against a goal of $112,000. Henry R. Jackson was campaign chairman.

1944

  • Red Feather became symbol of the Community Chest movement.

1942

  • Community Chest, Federation of Jewish Agencies, USO and other organizations joined to campaign as the War Chest, one of the 600 combined campaigns held in the US during World War II years.

1938

  • Early in year, Visiting Nurse, TB Association, Salvation Army, Girl Scouts and Child Federation becomes member agencies.
  • Community Chest of Absecon Island was formally organized in June with election of Board of Trustees. Paul O'Neill is elected its first president.
  • Early campaign conducted to provide financial support for staff and other expenses.
  • First campaign conducted in fall with goal of $65,080. Actual dollars raised amounted to $66,670 and was distributed to ten agencies. A.C. Poffenberger was first Campaign Chairperson.

1937

  • First organizational meeting held in December and shortly thereafter a Constitution and Bylaws were adopted.
  • Four agencies signed agreements - Social Service Bureau, Boy Scouts, YMCA and Colored Old Folks Home.