Real Support for Real People Working to Get Ahead
Across South Central Tennessee, roughly 4 in 10 of our neighbors are working — often more than one job — and still coming up short. They're the ALICE families in our community: Asset Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed.
At United Way of South Central Tennessee, closing that gap is our work. We invest in the people and programs that help ALICE families build stability today, while working toward a community where fewer families have to choose between rent and groceries, childcare and a paycheck. We are building the kind of community we all want to live in, for this generation and the next.
Staff
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Board of Directors
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News
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History
Chartered as the "United Givers Fund" in 1956, the new organization raised $36,000 in its first year. That was four times more than the local Community Chest raised the year before in 1955. Chartering board members of UWRCC were Cecil Adams, Clyde Fite, Earle Rees, Donald Knight, Jack Weatherford, John Bragg, Hollis Donnell, Ellis Gray, Sam Lasseter, Frank Clardy, Bernard Goldstein, W.E. Landers, Q.M. Smith, J.D. Swartzbaugh, and J.J. Jewell Jr. Three of the founding board members were present to celebrate United Way's 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2006.
In 1956, the United Way partnering agencies consisted of The Council of Social Agencies, Bradley Cafeteria, Crichlow Cafeteria, McFadden Cafeteria, United Defense Fund, Traveler's Aid, Franklin Heights Nursery, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the USO.
In 1982, the United Givers Fund was transformed into the United Way of Rutherford County under the leadership of Dot Harrison, the first female board chair. The organization began serving Cannon County in the early 1990s, and in 2005 the name changed to United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties. The United Way grossed $100,000 in 1968, $1 million in 1991, and $2 million in 1999. The 2013-2014 campaign reached $3.4 million. The United Way grossed $100,000 in 1968, $1 million in 1991, and $2 million in 1999. The 2013-2014 campaign reached $3.4 million. The United Way grossed $100,000 in 1968, $1 million in 1991, and $2 million in 1999. The 2013-2014 campaign reached $3.4 million.
Today, the United Way of South Central Tennessee continues to meet and exceed its campaign goals. In 2023, the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties expanded to serve Lincoln, Bedford, Rutherford, Cannon Counties, and in 2024, Coffee, Warren, and Moore Counties. Your local United Way takes pride in being an accountable, efficient and transparent community impact organization.