United Way for Southeastern Michigan

United Community Services Budget Department Records

drice — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 15:05:48 -0400

The United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. The Union was reorganized into the Council of Social Agencies of Metropolitan Detroit in 1932, and merged with the Detroit Community Chest in 1951 to become the United Community Services (UCS). UCS operated alongside the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (United Foundation until 1989), which was primarily a fundraising organization. They merged to form the United Way Community Services in 1995, which merged with the United Way for Oakland County to become the United Way for Southeastern Michigan in 2005. UCS was an umbrella organization for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and sought to promote social services (including child care, family, health, recreation, and community planning) through the centralized planning, coordinating, and budgeting of those agencies. The Budget Department was responsible for reviewing budget requests from agencies, making an annual proposal for funds to the United Foundation, and allocating funds to individual agencies associated with UCS.

The United Community Services Budget Department Records consist mostly of reports from agencies to the UCS Central Budget Committee and reports from UCS to the United Foundation. The collection also contains some minutes from the budget committees of UCS predecessor organizations and statistical information detailing historical allocations to participating agencies.

United Community Services Communications Department Records

drice — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 15:29:47 -0400

The United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. The Union was reorganized into the Council of Social Agencies of Metropolitan Detroit in 1932, and merged with the Detroit Community Chest in 1951 to become the United Community Services (UCS). UCS operated alongside the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (United Foundation until 1989), which was primarily a fundraising organization. They merged to form the United Way Community Services in 1995, which merged with the United Way for Oakland County to become the United Way for Southeastern Michigan in 2005. UCS was an umbrella organization for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and sought to promote social services (including child care, family, health, recreation, and community planning) through the centralized planning, coordinating, and budgeting of those agencies. The Communications Department, previously known as the Public Relations Department, was responsible for promoting UCS and member agency activities to the public, through press releases, newspaper, radio, and television advertisements, promotional brochures, and other advertising campaigns. The department also counseled other UCS departments and member agencies on their promotional campaigns.

The United Community Services Communications Department Records consist of correspondence, reports, press releases, promotional brochures, and newspaper clippings related to the publicity efforts of UCS. The collection documents the promotional strategies used by UCS to promote its activities, seek volunteers, solicit funds, and increase public knowledge of UCS and its member agencies. The collection also contains information pertaining to internal UCS administrative functions, including the UCS Assembly nominating committee and the organization’s annual meetings.

United Community Services Executive Office Records

drice — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 15:24:57 -0400

The United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. The Union was reorganized into the Council of Social Agencies of Metropolitan Detroit in 1932, and merged with the Detroit Community Chest in 1951 to become the United Community Services (UCS). UCS operated alongside the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (United Foundation until 1989), which was primarily a fundraising organization. They merged to form the United Way Community Services in 1995, which merged with the United Way for Oakland County to become the United Way for Southeastern Michigan in 2005. UCS was an umbrella organization for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and sought to promote social services (including child care, family, health, recreation, and community planning) through the centralized planning, coordinating, and budgeting of those agencies. The Executive Office oversaw the various departments within UCS, and was headed by the Executive Vice President, who was the managing director of the organization.

The United Community Services Executive Office Records consist of materials from the tenure of three Executive Vice Presidents: Richard Huegli, John MacInnes, and Geneva Williams. The collection demonstrates the administrative functions of UCS, including correspondence with the directors of other UCS departments, correspondence concerning social welfare agencies, minutes documenting the proceedings of UCS committees, reports concerning UCS programs and special projects, and budgetary proposals to the United Foundation. The collection also contains some photographs of UCS leadership and of the founders of the Detroit Community Union.

United Community Services Community Information Service Records

drice — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 15:37:43 -0400

The United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. The Union was reorganized into the Council of Social Agencies of Metropolitan Detroit in 1932, and merged with the Detroit Community Chest in 1951 to become the United Community Services (UCS). UCS operated alongside the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (United Foundation until 1989), which was primarily a fundraising organization. They merged to form the United Way Community Services in 1995, which merged with the United Way for Oakland County to become the United Way for Southeastern Michigan in 2005. UCS was an umbrella organization for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and sought to promote social services (including child care, family, health, recreation, and community planning) through the centralized planning, coordinating, and budgeting of those agencies. The Community Information Service (CIS) Department, formerly known as the Central Services Department, was established to assist the community in making more effective use of health, welfare, and recreational resources. It served as a central source for authentic information to direct members of the community to relevant social service agencies, by the use of telephone, correspondence, or in person visits. The department also published social service resource directories and oversaw the Central Volunteer Bureau. Funding for the CIS came from the United Foundation’s annual Tribute Fund Campaign.

The United Community Services Community Information Service Records consist of correspondence, minutes, reports and scrapbooks from CIS and its precursor, the Central Services Department. The materials demonstrate the functions of the CIS, including its efforts to connect members of the community with social service resources, its centralized administration of UCS’ volunteer efforts, and its involvement in Tribute Fund campaigning. The collection also contains statistical data about the services provided by participating UCS agencies, mostly in the Social Statistics Project series.

United Community Services Research Department Records

drice — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 15:41:26 -0400

The United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. The Union was reorganized into the Council of Social Agencies of Metropolitan Detroit in 1932, and merged with the Detroit Community Chest in 1951 to become the United Community Services (UCS). UCS operated alongside the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (United Foundation until 1989), which was primarily a fundraising organization. They merged to form the United Way Community Services in 1995, which merged with the United Way for Oakland County to become the United Way for Southeastern Michigan in 2005. UCS was an umbrella organization for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and sought to promote social services (including child care, family, health, recreation, and community planning) through the centralized planning, coordinating, and budgeting of those agencies. The Research Department was responsible for analyzing and evaluating information about community conditions to aid other UCS departments in determining their programs and policies. The department collected statistical data regarding population trends, land use, agency services, and other areas related to the overall functions of UCS.

The United Community Services Research Department Records consists of reports and statistical data, mostly related to the services of UCS agencies. The reports contain information regarding agencies that fell under the UCS umbrella, including the names and locations of agencies, the types of services they provided, and the amount of certain services provided to members of the community. The collection also contains reports related to special projects undertaken by UCS, including the Harper-Gratiot Multi-Service Center, and statistics relating to UCS’ participation in the United States Children’s Bureau Social Statistics Project. In addition to reports and statistics, the collection also contains some correspondence, mostly related to Research Department Director James H. Norton, detailing the administrative functions of the Research Department.

United Community Services Special Programs Department Records

drice — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 15:47:16 -0400

The United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. The Union was reorganized into the Council of Social Agencies of Metropolitan Detroit in 1932, and merged with the Detroit Community Chest in 1951 to become the United Community Services (UCS). UCS operated alongside the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (United Foundation until 1989), which was primarily a fundraising organization. They merged to form the United Way Community Services in 1995, which merged with the United Way for Oakland County to become the United Way for Southeastern Michigan in 2005. UCS was an umbrella organization for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and sought to promote social services (including child care, family, health, recreation, and community planning) through the centralized planning, coordinating, and budgeting of those agencies. The Special Programs Department oversaw UCS program initiatives and programs that were not necessarily related to other existing UCS departments or which were not permanent additions to UCS programs, such as temporary initiatives and special summer programs. The Special Programs Department consisted of, at various times, the Metropolitan Camp Council, the Volunteer Action Center, the Metropolitan Detroit Coalition for Blood Pressure Control, the Summer Programs department, and unemployment and work experience projects.

The United Community Services Special Programs Department Records consist mostly of correspondence, minutes, and reports related to the Metropolitan Camp Council and general campership initiatives, in addition to information regarding special summer programs. Included in the collection are materials from participating camp agencies, such as the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Camp Fire Girls, as well as materials from UCS administrative committees.

United Foundation Office of the Vice President for Administration Records

drice — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:03:22 -0500

Walter Laidlaw established the United Foundation in 1948 through the merger of the Detroit Community Chest and other Detroit charitable organizations. The goal of the United Foundation was to centralize fund raising efforts and generate mass fund raising campaigns, such as the Torch Drive, which was first held in 1949. The United Foundation was closely affiliated with the United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit, and became affiliated with the national United Way organization beginning with the United Way’s conception in 1970. The organization retained the name United Foundation until 1989, at which time it changed its name to the United Way for Southeastern Michigan to better reflect its associated with the national United Way. It was known as such until its merger with the United Community Services in 1995, at which point it became known as the United Way Community Services. The United Foundation’s Office of the Vice President for Administration served as the managing director of the United Foundation, and oversaw all departments within the organization.

The United Foundation Office of the Vice President for Administration Records consists of materials primarily from the tenure of Vice President Warren T. Burt. The collection demonstrates the administrative function of the United Foundation, including correspondence with the directors of other United Foundation departments, minutes and agendas documenting the proceedings of United Foundation committees and Boards of Directors, reports concerning United Foundation programs and special projects, and materials related to the United Foundation’s Long Range and Strategic Planning efforts.

United Community Services Board of Directors Minutes

drice — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 13:44:32 -0400

The United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. The Union was reorganized into the Council of Social Agencies of Metropolitan Detroit in 1932, and merged with the Detroit Community Chest in 1951 to become the United Community Services (UCS). UCS operated alongside the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (United Foundation until 1989), which was primarily a fundraising organization. They merged to form the United Way Community Services in 1995, which merged with the United Way for Oakland County to become the United Way for Southeastern Michigan in 2005. UCS was an umbrella organization for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and sought to promote social services (including child care, family, health, recreation, and community planning) through the centralized planning, coordinating, and budgeting of those agencies. The Board of Directors was the central governing body of UCS, and oversaw the administration and operation of the organization and its component departments. Members of the Board of Directors were responsible for determining the programs, policies, and organization of UCS.

The United Community Services Board of Directors Minutes collection consists of minutes from the meetings of the Board of Directors of UCS, the United Way Community Services, and its predecessors including the Associated Charities of Detroit, the Detroit Community Union, and the Council of Social Agencies of Metropolitan Detroit. It also contains meeting minutes from the Board of Directors of several of the fundraising organizations associated with UCS throughout its history, including the predecessors of the United Foundation: the Detroit Patriotic Fund, the Detroit Community Fund, the War Chest of Metropolitan Detroit, and the Community Chest. The materials in the collection demonstrate the activities of the governing bodies of those organizations, and contain information detailing their administrative functions including the decision making process behind proposed initiatives, programs, agencies, and mergers.

United Community Services Planning Department Records

drice — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 13:56:41 -0400

The United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. The Union was reorganized into the Council of Social Agencies of Metropolitan Detroit in 1932, and merged with the Detroit Community Chest in 1951 to become the United Community Services (UCS). UCS operated alongside the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (United Foundation until 1989), which was primarily a fundraising organization. They merged to form the United Way Community Services in 1995, which merged with the United Way for Oakland County to become the United Way for Southeastern Michigan in 2005. UCS was an umbrella organization for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and sought to promote social services (including child care, family, health, recreation, and community planning) through the centralized planning, coordinating, and budgeting of those agencies. The Planning Department was responsible for identifying social problems, working with citizens and service organizations to identify and propose solutions to those problems, and fostering the involvement of members of the community in the community service process. The Planning Department consisted of various component councils and committees throughout its history, each tasked with fulfilling the goals of effective community planning for specific geographic areas or community concerns.

Part 1 of the records of the United Community Services Planning Department consist of correspondence, reports, minutes, publications, research studies and other material documenting health and human services in metropolitan Detroit. Part 2 consists of correspondence, reports, meeting minutes, proposals, and other paper materials documenting the department’s efforts to effectively identify and improve social welfare concerns in the metropolitan Detroit area. The councils and committees represented include those responsible for planning for geographic, demographic, and functional concerns including children and youth services, health services, recreation, and social services. It also includes records related to the administrative functions of the Planning Department, including records from the Metropolitan Area Planning (MAP) Committee and the Coordinating Council.

United Foundation Agency Relations Department Records

kschmeling — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 14:39:15 -0500

Walter Laidlaw established the United Foundation in 1948 through the merger of the Detroit Community Chest and other Detroit charitable organizations. The goal of the United Foundation was to centralize fund raising efforts and generate mass fund raising campaigns, such as the Torch Drive, which was first held in 1949. The United Foundation was closely affiliated with the United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit, and became affiliated with the national United Way organization beginning with the United Way’s conception in 1970. The organization retained the name United Foundation until 1989, at which time it changed its name to the United Way for Southeastern Michigan to better reflect its associated with the national United Way. It was known as such until its merger with the United Community Services in 1995, at which point it became known as the United Way Community Services. The United Foundation’s Agency Relations Department was responsible for organizational functions related to funding and communicating with participating United Foundation agencies, including determining United Foundation funding priorities, receiving and assessing agency budget proposals, allocating funds to agencies, and maintaining relationships with participating agencies.

The United Foundation Agency Relations Department Records consists of correspondence, reports, minutes, and proposals reflecting the operations of the department, including the United Foundation’s relationship with participating agencies and the processes by which agencies requested and received funding from the United Foundation.

United Foundation Campaign Department Records

kschmeling — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 09:40:56 -0500

Walter C. Laidlaw established the United Foundation in 1948 through the merger of the Detroit Community Chest and other Detroit charitable organizations. The goal of the United Foundation was to centralize fund-raising efforts and to generate mass fund-raising campaigns, such as the Torch Drive, which was first held in 1949. The United Foundation was closely affiliated with the United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit, and became affiliated with the national United Way organization beginning with the United Way’s conception in 1970. The organization retained the name United Foundation until 1989, when it changed its name to the United Way for Southeastern Michigan to better reflect its association with the national United Way. It was known as the United Way for Southeastern Michigan until its merger with the United Community Services in 1995, when it became known as the United Way Community Services. The United Foundation’s Office of the President was responsible for overseeing and directing the various departments within the United Foundation. As the founder of the United Foundation, Walter C. Laidlaw served in this office from its inception in 1948 until his retirement in 1968. Upon his exit, H. Clay Howell succeeded Laidlaw as President of the United Foundation.

The United Foundation Campaign Department Records consist of correspondence, reports, minutes, proposals, program and event materials, and committee information reflecting the operations of the department, including the United Foundation’s relationship with participating agencies and the processes by which agencies requested and received funding from the United Foundation.

United Foundation Communications Department Records

kschmeling — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:39:15 -0500

The United Foundation (UF) has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. The UF, called the United Way for Southeastern Michigan after it’s official name change in 1989, was formed in 1948 through the merger of the Detroit Community Chest and other Detroit charities, and came to be affiliated with the national United Way organization in 1970. UF was an umbrella organization providing funding for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and worked closely with the United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit (UCS), which was primarily concerned with streamlining and planning the delivery of social services in the city. The two merged in 1995 to create the UWCS, which existed until 2005, when the UWCS merged with the United Way of Oakland County to create a new body once again called the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. This final incarnation exists to this day.

The United Foundation Communications Department oversaw the creation of campaign materials, press releases, and marketing strategies for the United Foundation and it’s associated agencies. This collection, which is closely related to the United Foundation Campaign Department’s records, consists of the Communication Department’s administrative and strategic files, collateral materials from various advertising campaigns, collateral materials for associated charitable organizations, and extensive photographic and audiovisual materials utilized in UF campaigns from the 1950s to 1992.

United Foundation Office of the President Records

kschmeling — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 16:02:30 -0500

Walter C. Laidlaw established the United Foundation in 1948 through the merger of the Detroit Community Chest and other Detroit charitable organizations. The goal of the United Foundation was to centralize fund raising efforts and generate mass fund raising campaigns, such as the Torch Drive, which was first held in 1949. The United Foundation was closely affiliated with the United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit, and became affiliated with the national United Way organization beginning with the United Way’s conception in 1970. The organization retained the name United Foundation until 1989, at which time it changed its name to the United Way for Southeastern Michigan to better reflect its association with the national United Way. It was known as such until its merger with the United Community Services in 1995, at which point it became known as the United Way Community Services. The United Foundation’s Office of the President was responsible for overseeing and directing the various departments within the United Foundation. As the founder of the United Foundation, Walter C. Laidlaw served in this office from its inception in 1948 until his retirement in 1968. Upon his exit, H. Clay Howell succeeded Laidlaw as President of the United Foundation.

The United Foundation Office of the President Records consists of materials from the tenures of both President Walter C. Laidlaw and President H. Clay Howell. Records within the collection are mainly derived from the various committees and subcommittees within the United Foundation that were overseen by the Office of the President. The collection includes materials from the United Foundation Special Study Committee, the Priorities Subcommittee, the Capital Fund Division Campaign, the Long Range Planning Committee, New Detroit Inc. committees, and others. Additional materials consist of annual meeting information, Board of Directors materials, United Way branch information, and other various general files pertaining to the Office of the President.

United Foundation Operations Department Records

Wed, 23 Dec 2015 15:56:47 -0500

Walter Laidlaw established the United Foundation in 1948 through the merger of the Detroit Community Chest and other Detroit charitable organizations. The goal of the United Foundation was to centralize fund raising efforts and generate mass fund raising campaigns, such as the Torch Drive, which was first held in 1949. The United Foundation was closely affiliated with the United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit, and became affiliated with the national United Way organization beginning with the United Way’s conception in 1970. The organization retained the name United Foundation until 1989, at which time it changed its name to the United Way for Southeastern Michigan to better reflect its associated with the national United Way. It was known as such until its merger with the United Community Services in 1995, at which point it became known as the United Way Community Services. The United Foundation’s Operations Department administered the internal operations of the United Foundation, including daily operations, communications between departments, and initiatives to improve the internal operation of the Foundation, rather than its relationship with community agencies and other external agents.

The United Foundation Operations Department Records consists of correspondence, reports, meeting minutes, forms, evaluations, and other paper materials documenting the operational functions of the United Foundation and many of its component departments. The materials span the tenures of two Operations Department directors, John E. Hall and James A. Ridge, with the bulk of the materials relating to the department under the direction of Ridge. The collection contains reference files on United Foundation agencies and initiatives, as well as materials relating primarily to the organization’s Administration and Communications Departments.

United Way Community Services Executive Office Records

kschmeling — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 14:51:58 -0500

The United Way Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit (UWCS) has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. The Union was reorganized into the Council of Social Agencies of Metropolitan Detroit in 1932, and merged with the Detroit Community Chest in 1951 to become the United Community Services (UCS). UCS operated alongside the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSM, United Foundation until 1989), which was primarily a fundraising organization. The two merged in 1995 to create the UWCS. This merged foundation existed until 2005, when the UWCS merged with the United Way of Oakland County to create the United Way for South Eastern Michigan, which exists to this day.

UWCS was an umbrella organization for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and sought to promote social services (including child care, family, health, recreation, and community planning) through the centralized planning, coordinating, and budgeting of those agencies. The Executive Office oversaw the various departments within UCS and UWCS, and was headed by the Executive Vice President, who was the managing director of the organization. This collection includes materials from the tenure of Executive Vice President of UCS Robert P. Arndt, and COO and Executive Vice President of UWCS Dr. Geneva J. Williams, the former President and CEO of UCS.

This collection consists of files produced by the UCS Executive Office, the UWCS Executive Office, and the merged offices during the transitional period of the 1990s. A substantial amount of the included files consist of meeting materials from the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for each iteration of the foundation, as well as meeting agendas and minutes for numerous other committees, such as the Nomination Committee. Also included is extensive material relating to the foundations’ finances, campaigns, special projects and events, and associated agencies. Of particular note are the files relating to the planning and organization of the transition period in which the UCS and UWSM merged

United Way for Southeastern Michigan Executive Office Records

kschmeling — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 12:14:56 -0500

The United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSM) has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. UWSM, called the United Foundation until it’s official name change in 1989, was formed in 1948 through the merger of the Detroit Community Chest and other Detroit charities, and came to be affiliated with the national United Way organization in 1970. UWSM was an umbrella organization providing funding for a wide range of social welfare agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and worked closely with the United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit (UCS), which was primarily concerned with streamlining and planning the delivery of social services in the city. The two merged in 1995 to create the UWCS, which existed until 2005, when the UWCS merged with the United Way of Oakland County to create a new body once again called the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. This final incarnation exists to this day. The Executive Office oversaw the various departments within UWSM and its later incarnations, and was headed by the President and Executive Vice President of the organization.

This collection is very closely related to the UCS Executive Office Record collection. It covers an overlapping timeframe, and primarily consists of records generated by the UF/UWSM executive offices prior to the UF/UCS merger and the creation of UWCS. Also included are some UWCS records, and a few records from the second organization to bear the UWSM title. Files include board and committee meeting materials, strategic and long term planning records, records on associated agencies and special projects, records relating to the renovation of the joint UF & UCS headquarters in the Comerica building, records about the UF & UCS merger, and records relating to the United Way’s relationship with labor organizations.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan Labor Department Records

kschmeling — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 16:18:20 -0500

The United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSM) has its origins in the establishment of the Detroit Community Union in 1917. UWSM, called the United Foundation until it’s official name change in 1989, was formed in 1948 through the merger of the Detroit Community Chest and other Detroit charities, and came to be affiliated with the national United Way organization in 1970. UWSM is an umbrella organization providing funding for a wide range of social welfare
agencies in the Metropolitan Detroit area, and worked closely with the United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit (UCS), which was primarily concerned with streamlining and planning the delivery of social services in the city. The two merged in 1995 to create the UWCS, which existed until 2005, when the UWCS merged with the United Way of Oakland County to create a new body once again called the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. This final incarnation exists to this day.

The Labor Department of the UWSM consists of local labor leaders who have partnered with the United Way in order to participate in it's charitable works. The bulk of this collection consists of files of the correspondence, photographs and biographies of local labor leaders who have served as members of the Labor Participation Committee (LPC). Also included are photographs of various charitable events, programs and brochures, newspaper clippings, correspondence, annual reports, resolutions and bylaws, and workshop and training information.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan Scrapbook Collection

kschmeling — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 15:24:16 -0500

Walter Laidlaw established the United Foundation in 1948 through the merger of the Detroit Community Chest and other Detroit charitable organizations that had traditionally combined fund raising efforts. The goal of the United Foundation was to further centralize those efforts, and to generate mass fund raising campaigns such as the Torch Drive, which was first held in 1949. The United Foundation was closely affiliated with the United Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit, and became affiliated with the national United Way organization beginning with the United Way’s conception in 1970. The organization retained the name United Foundation until 1989, at which time it changed its name to the United Way for Southeastern Michigan to better reflect it’s associated with the national United Way. It was known as such until its merger with the United Community Services in 1995, at which point it became known as the United Way Community Services until a final merger with the United Way of Oakland County returned it once more to the title of United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

This collection consists of nineteen scrapbooks from the early years of the United Foundation and it’s predecessor, the Detroit Community Chest. The bulk of the included material consists of forms and correspondence utilized during fund raising campaigns. Other publicity materials are also included, however, including materials from the Community Chest’s Women’s Committee, newspaper advertising, street and car signs, and posters. Of particular note is a large array of fashion advertising from the 1940s, featuring the “red feather campaign” stamp, as well as a variety of wartime posters featuring appeals for donations to both soldiers and the civilians of various war-torn regions.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan: 100 Years of Giving

drice — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 09:07:38 -0400

In 2017, United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSM) celebrated a major milestone: 100 years of continuous promotion of social services to those in need. In addition, the organization’s 10-year plan Agenda for Change concludes this year. Targeting the greater Detroit region, it focuses on access to education, income, read more »

(35864) QUOTA $1,510,260, EMPLOYEES $1,771,580, PLEDGE % of QUOTA 117.3%, UF PER CAP. $24.35; Report Meeting, 1958.

drice — Fri, 05 Oct 2018 15:49:37 -0400

Benson Ford (center) stands with boy scouts holding five signs depicting Ford automobiles and a tractor announcing current Ford pledge numbers for the United Fund. campaign.

(35868) Hamtramck Likes UF, 1952.

drice — Fri, 05 Oct 2018 15:52:02 -0400

Audrey Hepburn hands a little UF girl (standing on table with support from unidentified man) a trophy as the girl holds a Hamtramck United Fund torch sign.

(35887) You are the heart of Detroit.. GIVE ONCE FOR ALL, 1955 TORCH DRIVE, OCT. 18-NOV. 10; Promotion buses; Miss Torchy, 1955.

drice — Fri, 05 Oct 2018 15:45:52 -0400

Publicity still of four people hanging out the windows of a Torch Drive campaign bus parked on a city street.

(35890) UF; Diana Ross on camera for "It’s Happening" Torch Drive promotional film

drice — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 09:06:10 -0400

Diana Ross, in sunglasses, standing in front of backdrop featuring the United Foundation torch logo.

(35894) Shell - Care enough to share enough, 1958 Torch Drive, give once for all!, 1958.

drice — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 09:03:36 -0400

Shell oil billboard in a parking lot promoting the United Foundation fundraisingcampaign.

(35906) Torch Drive, United Foundation torch lighting, 1953.

drice — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 11:55:21 -0400

Night view of crowd around the lit torch (original wooden).