A Brief History of Capital Area United Way...

The Community Welfare Fund was organized in 1919 by Ray Potter, W. H. Prudden, Frank N. Arbaugh, C.E. Bement, Donald E. Bates, and Charles W. Nichols as a community process for dealing with the large number of charitable solicitations being made.

The first fund-raising campaign raised $64,000 with approximately 3,000 contributors.  Since 1919, the annual campaigns have raised over $100 million – more than $50 million in the last ten years – to meet the health and human care needs of this community.

Over the years, there have been several names changes with the organization becoming the Capital Area United way in 1973.  Capital Area United Way now serves the people of Ingham and Clinton counties, and northeast Eaton County.  More than 3,000 local volunteers participate in various aspects of the operation and decision-making of the organization each year.

The purpose of the Capital Area United Way, as described in its bylaws, is to provide local employers, employees and other donors a cost-effective system to address community health and human service needs through charitable gifts of time money and goods.

Mailing Address:

1111 Michigan Avenue
Suite 300
East Lansing MI 48823
517-203-5000
517-203-5001 fax