A Brief History of the United Way of Central Florida
1944: United Way established in Lakeland.
1958: United Way established in Winter Haven.
1966: United Way established in Bartow.
1980: The United Way of Central Florida was established when the United Ways of Greater Lakeland, Bartow, and Winter Haven merged.
1982: Information & Referral (I&R) was added to UWCF (now 2-1-1).
1987: Highlands County was added to the area served by the United Way of Central Florida making it the largest geographical area of any United Way in Florida: Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties.
Leadership Giving Program was established.
UWCF lead the nation in campaign increase percentage, raising over $3 million.
1989: Property purchased in Highland City for the new United Way location.
1995: Publix Super Markets received a Summit Award from the United Way of America, recognizing them as the best workplace campaign in the nation.
Success By 6 Early Literacy Initiative was established to improve school readiness. It is the primary initiative of the United Way of Central Florida.
1996: Publix Super Markets receives United Way of America’s highest level of corporate recognition, the Spirit of America Award.
2001: Family Fundamentals, a Success By 6 parent resource center opens. Family Fundamentals provides information and services for parents and is located about the Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine.
2003: Polk Vision was formed to bring residents together with community leaders to look at issues in Polk County.
2004: UWCF partners with several agencies to provide basic needs for area residents affected by hurricanes. Recognized by Salvation Army and Community Foundation for leadership in recovery efforts.
EMERGE Lakeland Young Professional Networking Organization launched as collaboration between Greater Lakeland Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Central Florida.
2005: Polk Vision facilitated by United Way.
RPAD (Recovery in Polk After Disaster) becomes independent of United Way.
2006: Community Impact Cabinet was formed to direct impact focus for UWCF.
Born Learning campaign initiated.
2007: Board approves designating a minimum of 2% from the allocation pool to be used as an Impact Grant to focus on the Early Literacy Initiative.
2-1-1 (formerly Information & Referral) established.
2008: "LIVE UNITED" marketing message adopted and Education, Income and Health identified as broad focus areas.
Early Literacy Initiative “Let’s Grow. Every child. Every chance.” is launched to community leaders with the goal “To eliminate the gap in early literacy between children from low and middle/high income levels.” The initiative was established in three pilot areas: Crystal Lake, Fort Meade, and Lake Wales.
2009: Board approves $100,000 from the allocations pool to be used to reward Exemplary “All Star” programs.
A year-long study of financial stability in low-income community directing the Income focus area was completed. Board approves $100,000 from the allocation pool for Impact Grant to focus on financial stability.
The Health Study Committee begins work on this focus area.
