United Way of the Franklin the Hampshire Region

The United Way originated in 1887 when a Denver, Colorado woman, a priest, two ministers, and a rabbi realized that a united front was needed to make Denver a better place. Their idea became the nation’s first united campaign. It raised $21,700 and benefiting 10 Denver area health and welfare agencies. In addition to collecting funds, the organization coordinated relief services, referred clients to agencies, and provided emergency grants for non-referable cases. This idea evolved, modernized, and consolidated under different names before becoming the United Way in 1970.