Mission:
To improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities.

Background:
First organized in 1887 as the Community Chest, a cooperative effort by local religious and academic leaders to address Denver's welfare problems, the United Way system now includes nearly 1,300 local organizations in the United States that work to advance the common good and create opportunities for a better life for all Americans by focusing on three building blocks: education, income, and health.

Outstanding Web Features:
The United Way of America encourages visitors to its Web site to get involved in their communities. Once they register, visitors to the site can view a personalized home page, share their stories, and search volunteer opportunities by keyword or ZIP code. Volunteers share "How I Live United" videos via an interactive map on the site's home page. In addition, United Way partners with the National Football League to raise awareness about the importance of youth health and fitness. As part of that initiative, the United Way site offers videos of past NFL Thanksgiving Day Halftime Shows featuring rock and pop music stars such as John Fogarty, Mariah Carey, Enrique Iglesias, and John Mellencamp.