United Way for Southeastern Michigan Celebrates 100 Years

This year, United Way for Southeastern Michigan turns 100! Since 1917, the nonprofit, known then as Detroit Community Union, has served as the region’s unifier—convening the power of public, private and nonprofit partners. The organization has responded to the community's most pressing challenges around children and family, health, and the community. In 2005, United Way Community Services and United Way of Oakland County voted to create a new organization—United Way for Southeastern Michigan. Although the organization’s name evolved over time, its core mission has never changed. Today, United Way is focused on ensuring people are healthy, financially stable and educated; and helping individuals, corporations and their employees, effectively contribute their time and resources back into their communities.

United Way will celebrate its centennial birthday with community and internal events throughout the year. Later this month, readers of Crain’s Detroit Business will notice a specially-designed cover on newsstands in recognition of the nonprofit’s 100th anniversary. It will be the first time the iconic business publication has devoted its entire magazine cover to a charitable organization. United Way’s Anniversary Crain’s edition will feature an eight-page section dedicated to the nonprofit’s community impact, and recognition of its corporate and community partners. It will be on newsstands Feb. 27, and is sure to be a collector’s item.

“This celebration is truly in recognition of all of our donors, volunteers, advocates, and corporate and community partners who have joined us on this journey for 100 years,” says Herman Gray, president and CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “Without the community’s support and trust, United Way could not have become the impact organization it is today.”

United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s 100 years of service to residents in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties will be celebrated in a variety of festive and unique ways, including:

• The launch of a new online volunteer portal to efficiently connect volunteers with community agencies. Initially, the portal will be available to corporate and community partners, and will eventually be expanded for use by the general public.
• A social media contest aimed at helping the nonprofit reach 10,000 followers on Facebook. Once the goal is met, followers will be randomly selected to win prizes.
• A community birthday party at Campus Martius later this year.
• A benefit gala in the fall, to which the public is invited.

Also, in honor of the centennial milestone, United Way and its stakeholders aim to raise $100 million dollars to benefit key initiatives around Stable Families, Healthy Kids, Child Development, Student Success and Economic Opportunity.

For updates on all of United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s 100th birthday activities or to learn more about the organization, visit www.LiveUnitedSEM.org