Founded in 1925 the United Way is an autonomous and independent organization governed by a local, volunteer Board of community members. Our accountability is to the people and businesses who invest in United Way of Wayne County. United Way of Wayne County has identified four focus areas that address gaps within our community: Education, Health & Wellness, Financial Responsibility, and Basic Needs. Each agency and program that United Way helps to fund must address one or more focus area and show positive, trackable outcomes each year.

United Way of Wayne County is a community organization working in collaboration with local non-profits to improve the lives of people in our local community.  Partnerships with local programs which meet established criteria of program accountability through outcome measurements and fiscal responsibility are supported by uniting people and resources to achieve the greatest impact on lives in Wayne County.

Over the past four years, United Way of Wayne County has focused on developing and implementing a Strategic Initiative Plan based on program outcomes. In sharing our successes we have shifted away from focusing on raising money to impact lives and the long-term impact that investments have for those living in Wayne County. 

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United Way Worldwide is a national service and training center for 1,800 local United Ways across the country. They provide training, research data, models of effective practices and other support to local United Ways. Local United Ways are not chapters of the national organization; they are governed by people in their own communities.