Community Interest
100 Years of United Way
This year, United Way of the Midlands is celebrating 100 years of giving back to the community—an incredible milestone made possible by every donor and volunteer over the past century.
This year, United Way of the Midlands is celebrating 100 years of giving back to the community—an incredible milestone made possible by every donor and volunteer over the past century. Much has changed since United Way first opened its doors as a community chest in 1925, and yet one thing has always remained the same: the organization’s dedication to creating a better tomorrow for everyone in the Midlands.
As you peruse this overview of United Way’s past, present, and future, you’ll find a recurring theme of the organization establishing new goals and generating forward movement. That’s because those who have spent their lives and careers supporting its mission understand that there’s always more good to give in the world.
United Way of the Midlands recently crossed the monumental finish line—raising $10 million through its Campaign for Good, matching the 2020 donation by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. With these funds, they’ll be able to create generational change for the Midlands, making our community a more equitable, opportunity-rich place for our children.
Congratulations to United Way, and cheers to the next 100 years!
PAST
This timeline is made possible by Historic Columbia‘s invaluable research.
1925: United Way first begins as the Columbia Community Chest, an organization to help fund programs for the public good.
1935: In the midst of the Great Depression, the federal government suspends all funding for South Carolina—increasing the need for community-driven support.
1937: The Columbia Community Chest is now giving funds to 11 agencies.
1939: The Columbia Community Chest is now at 1520 Assembly Street, near several offices of other charitable organizations, including Richland County Girl Scouts, the YMCA, Family Welfare Society, and many more.
1949: The Columbia Community Chest merges with two organizations—the Volunteer Office and Social Service Index of Greater Columbia and Richland
County and the Council for Social Planning-and becomes known as the Greater Columbia Community Chest.
1954: The organization is renamed United Community Services and launches an annual fundraiser, the United Fund campaign.
1958: United Community Services now gives to charitable organizations within Lexington County, in addition to its organizations in Richland County.
1974: The organization is now known as United Way of Richland and Lexington Counties, Inc.
1976: After merging with Fairfield County United Way, the organization is now named United Way of the Midlands, which it is known by to this day.
1977: United Way of the Midlands now covers Newberry County and helps support a total of 43 partner organizations.
1978: After moving around to several buildings in downtown Columbia, United Way of the Midlands moves to 1800 Main Street, where several of its partner organizations will also be based.
2003: United Way of the Midlands further grows its reach, now covering Calhoun and Orangeburg counties.
2016: United Way of the Midlands moves to its current headquarters at 1818
Blanding Street.
2018: The organization’s annual impact is measured to be almost $17 million, given to 60 Community Impact Partners.
2020: Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gives a historic donation of $10 million, prompting United Way of the Midlands to launch the Campaign for Good.
2025: United Way of the Midlands announces the successful completion of the Campaign for Good, paving the way to create generational change for the entire Midlands community.
PRESENT
At Watkins-Nance Elementary School and more schools across the Midlands, girls are getting hands-on experience in all things STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) like never before. United Way created the Midlands Reading Consortium (MRC) to improve literacy rates in community schools, providing children with one-on-one instruction and fostering a love for reading. In 2021, the initiative responded to lagging science and math scores by creating an all-new STEM component to their work. Now, girls across the Midlands can experience real-world lessons with after school programs designed to unlock the opportunities of STEM.
Students pictured at the Watkins-Vance BLAST afterschool program.
FUTURE
Since 2022, United Way of the Midlands has invested more than $5.5 million in affordable housing initiatives, leveraging more than $83 million in total project costs and creating or repairing 548 housing units. In 2024, United Way of the Midlands announced they are joining forces with several other community organizations— including the Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc. (MIRCI), the SC Housing Authority, the Central Carolina Community Foundation, and more-to establish a transitional housing program for young, unhoused women.
Millwood Pointe will house girls and women from the ages of 17 to 22 for eighteen months, providing a safe environment, extensive mental health resources, and community support. Once open, United Way knows Millwood Pointe will be a vital resource for Columbia and a true example of community partnership.
Get Involved
Want to make a difference and contribute to United Way’s current and future projects in our community? Click here to learn how you can support programs like MRC and Millwood Pointe.
Want to discover more local? Follow Fig on Facebook and Instagram for inspiration.
