Our History
In 1919, community leaders Ray Potter, W.H. Prudden, Frank N. Arbaugh, C.E. Bement, Donald E. Bates, and Charles W. Nichols were appointed trustees of what would become Capital Area United Way. The Committee of Organizations held the first community-wide campaign under the name Community Welfare Fund to benefit seven social service agencies. That first campaign raised $64,000 with support from about 3,000 contributors.
Over the next century, annual campaigns raised a total exceeding $300 million to meet the health and human care needs of the Capital Area. The organization embraced the United Way name in 1973. In the decades that followed, CAUW expanded its reach to serve the people of Ingham, Clinton and Eaton counties. More than 3,000 local volunteers participate in various aspects of the operation and decision-making in the tri-county area.
Today, CAUW is part of an impact-driven regional organization: United Way of South Central Michigan, formed in 2022 through a merger with CAUW, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region and United Way of Jackson County.
Capital Area News & Updates
Capital Area Child Care Coalition Receives Renewed Funding to Strengthen Regional Child Care System
The Capital Area Child Care Coalition (CACCC), co-led by the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), United Way of South Central…
Consortium Aims for Rapid Social Services Response When Disasters Strike Capital Area
A community disaster or crisis is never a question of “if,” but “when.” To better prepare, United Way of South…
Tri-County Partners Launch Capital Cares Collaboration to Strengthen Access to Health and Human Services
The Eaton County Human Services Collaborative Council (HSCC), in partnership with the Clinton County Building Stronger Communities Collaborative (BSCC), the…
A Statement from United Way of South Central Michigan
On January 27, the President issued an Executive Order halting payments from federal grants and loans to nonprofit and government…
New Mobile Office to Bring Free Tax Preparation To Eligible Households in Lansing, Capital Area
A new, rolling tax preparation office will make it a little easier for eligible households in Lansing and beyond to…
UNITED IS THE WAY HOME: Equipping Families in Capital Area
Note: During the month of February, United Way is mobilizing to raise dollars for initiatives and programs that address homelessness…
Empowering Families, Brightening Futures: The Impact of UWSCMI’s Program Assistance Center
UWSCMI’s Program Assistance Center (PAC) does more than help light up houses through utility assistance; they also light up lives. …
Volunteer Fair Coming Sept. 21 to MSU
United Way to Host Event at MSU Aiding Local Nonprofits LANSING – United Way of South Central Michigan will help…