Livingston County United Way - Mission & History

Mission & History

The Mission of the Livingston County United Way is to build a meaningful life for all Livingston County residents.

The Livingston County United Way was officially incorporated as a United Way on February 4, 1977. Prior to that time, beginning in the early 1950s, each of the county’s six communities had its own community chest, all doing their own individual fundraising, administration and allocation processes. At the time this seemed to work best for the individual communities. However, the population of Livingston County grew rapidly in the seventies, and a county-wide structure better served the greater need for services.

Today that six-community, Community Chest has expanded to an annual campaign fundraising effort of approximately $1,500,000. With these committed funds, the Livingston County United Way provides funding to over 50 health and human service programs and initiatives available to assist Livingston County residents. A grant process is also available for requests that arise throughout the year's funding cycle.

The Board of Directors continually revisits the areas of greatest needs within Livingston County. Currently, the focus of the Livingston County United Way is to fund programs in the areas of Community Connections, Every Child Ready to Succeed in School and in Life, Healthy Aging, Meeting Basic Needs, and Strengthening Families.

Much of the work at the Livingston County United Way is done by community volunteers. Our office is staffed by a small number of people in an ongoing effort to keep administrative costs to a minimum. Decision-making is very grass-roots at the Livingston County United Way. We are governed by a Board of Directors of local community volunteers, with affiliations to the Michigan Association of United Ways and certification by United Way of America.

In addition, our annual funding distribution process involves over 100 area volunteers making recommendations as to how to make the greatest impact with the donated dollars from our contributors. It's important to note that "What's raised in Livingston County, stays in Livingston County."

Our Board of Directors and staff work within the parameters of an established strategic plan and look for opportunities for improvement within all areas of our operations. We adhere to an outcomes-based measurement process and require our partner agencies to submit financial reports and outcomes measures with their funding requests, working together to best serve the residents of Livingston County.



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Back to Home Page What We Do (About Us) Mission & History Board of Directors & Committee Listings		Mission & History The Mission of the Livingston County United Way is to build a meaningful life for all Livingston County residents. The Livingston County United Way was officially incorporated as a United Way on February 4, 1977. Prior to that time, beginning in the early 1950s, each of the county’s six communities had its own community chest, all doing their own individual fundraising, administration and allocation processes. At the time this seemed to work best for the individual communities. However, the population of Livingston County grew rapidly in the seventies, and a county-wide structure better served the greater need for services. Today that six-community, Community Chest has expanded to an annual campaign fundraising effort of approximately $1,500,000. With these committed funds, the Livingston County United Way provides funding to over 50 health and human service programs and initiatives available to assist Livingston County residents. A grant process is also available for requests that arise throughout the year's funding cycle. The Board of Directors continually revisits the areas of greatest needs within Livingston County. Currently, the focus of the Livingston County United Way is to fund programs in the areas of Community Connections, Every Child Ready to Succeed in School and in Life, Healthy Aging, Meeting Basic Needs, and Strengthening Families. Much of the work at the Livingston County United Way is done by community volunteers. Our office is staffed by a small number of people in an ongoing effort to keep administrative costs to a minimum. Decision-making is very grass-roots at the Livingston County United Way. We are governed by a Board of Directors of local community volunteers, with affiliations to the Michigan Association of United Ways and certification by United Way of America. In addition, our annual funding distribution process involves over 100 area volunteers making recommendations as to how to make the greatest impact with the donated dollars from our contributors. It's important to note that "What's raised in Livingston County, stays in Livingston County." Our Board of Directors and staff work within the parameters of an established strategic plan and look for opportunities for improvement within all areas of our operations. We adhere to an outcomes-based measurement process and require our partner agencies to submit financial reports and outcomes measures with their funding requests, working together to best serve the residents of Livingston County.