Our history
United Way of Greater Stark County reaches a population of nearly 400,000, serving all of Stark County and parts of Carroll County. One of more than 1,350 local United Way organizations nationwide โ United Way of Greater Stark County formed in 2004 with the merger of Alliance Area United Way, United Way of Central Stark County and United Way of Western Stark County.
Cantonโs โcommunity chestโ
During the early 1900s, โcommunity chestsโ began to form across the United States and Canada. These fundraising organizations collected money from local businesses and their employees to support projects in their respective communities.
The first community chest formed in Cleveland in 1913, drawing regional and national recognition. In 1922, a group of prominent Canton-area businessmen โ William R. Timken, Paul Belden and H.C. Pontius โ looked into the Cleveland organization and then set about forming their own community chest for the Canton area.
Mr. Pontius drew up a constitution and by-laws based upon the experience of the chests already in operation. A cardinal principle insisted on by Mr. Timken was that under no circumstances was the community chest to assume responsibility or direction of operation of the agencies.
The articles of incorporation were signed February 20, 1922 where nine principles were adopted:
To engage in such other enterprises as may be wisely carried out
The first campaign
The first community campaign in May 1922 raised $321,879. Agencies participating were:- Mercy Hospital
- Salvation Army
- Social Service Exchange
- Urban League
- Visiting Nurse Society
- American Red Cross
- Aultman Home
- Aultman Hospital
- Boy Scouts
- Goodwill Mission
- K of C Boys’ Department
- YMCA and YWCA
- Bethshan Home
- Briar Brae Home
- Ann Day Nursery
- Recreation Council
Stark County Merger
Members from the Alliance, Central Stark County and Western Stark County organizations in 2004 set forth four new guiding principles for the creation of a new United Way chapter:The new Board will be representative of the entire greater Stark County area and the communities served.
The new organization will provide a two-year period of stable funding of services in each founding community to prepare for a new system of allocations.
The new organization will maintain some form of local presence in each of the founding organizationsโ communities.
There will be a period of transition to the new allocation model that will be determined by the new organization.
The Evolution of the United Way Logo
1922 – 1952

1952 – 1972

1975 – 2004

2004 – Present
