1920s Community Chest

Businessmen and community leaders met to discuss efficient ways to address growing needs in Fargo. In 1927, the first Community Chest drive raised funds which were allocated to 13 local human service agencies.

A goal of $60,000 was set, but the generous community gave $68,397.

1930s Community Chest

Human services were in high demand during the Great Depression. Even so, the community responded with the gifts they could muster, and agencies continued to be funded.

The first Mile of Dimes event brought the community together to lay dimes side by side up and down Broadway in downtown Fargo, until the distance reached one mile. The event helped the Community Chest drive reach its annual goal.

Giving to the Community Chest was strong at the beginning ($99,507) and end ($80,000) of the decade. In between, giving hovered around $70,000.

1940s Community Chest

Despite the realities of World War II, the Community Chest continued to succeed. The campaign consistently raised $90,000--$100,000, due in part to campaign advertising measures like milk bottle wraps that greeted Fargo residents with messages like “Good Morning! Your Community Chest Campaign starts tomorrow. Greet your solicitor with a smile.”

1950s Community Chest/United Fund

Along with the start of the baby boom and a growing economy, the Community Chest got a new name in the mid-1950s—the United Fund. Growth and expansion followed.

Moorhead added a campaign in 1958. With the combined efforts, annual United Fund campaigns quickly grew close to $300,000 during the last half of the decade.

1960s United Fund

The Kennedy administration, the Civil Rights Movement, men on the moon, and community generosity marked this decade. Fargo and Moorhead combined separate campaigns in 1964. Annual drives raised around $400,000.

1970s United Fund/United Way

A new name and new cities were added in this significant decade. Dilworth and West Fargo participated in the United Way. More lives than ever were impacted by successful campaigns totaling $400,000 in 1971 and $981,000 in 1979.

1980s United Way

United Way of Cass-Clay surpassed the million dollar mark at the beginning of the decade and $1.7 million by the end. In 1986, West Fargo began informing the public of campaign progress with the United Way Thermometer placed at the intersection of Main Avenue and Sheyenne Street.

1990s United Way

Campaign contributions soared to new heights every year, surpassing $2 million in 1991. A year later the annual volunteer event, Day of Caring, was established to connect the community with senior citizens to complete household maintenance projects. About 150 volunteers participated in the inaugural event. Today, the event has grown to 2,000 volunteers and nearly 100 local businesses.

The memorable 1996 campaign ads featured a small child playing near Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas-times.

In 1991, United Way began the School Supply Drive in which businesses and individuals donate school supplies, money and their time to ensure all children will be prepared for a successful education.

United Way of Cass-Clay ended the 1990s allocating funds for 57 programs at 33 agencies across Cass and Clay counties.

2000 United Way

With the new millennium United Way of Cass-Clay changed its focus from allocating funds to building the community. The initial vision statements included focusing on Thriving Children, Strong Families, Healthy People and Basic Needs.

The campaign surpassed the $3 million mark in 2001.

In 2003, United Way partnered with the Dollywood Foundation to bring Imagination Library to Cass and Clay counties. Children, from birth to age five, who are enrolled in the program, receive one book each month, free of charge.

In 2004 the investment triangle became an important tool to demonstrate the organziation’s commitment to balancing funds between Basic Needs, Prevention and Development and Lasting Community Change.

In 2005 Success By 6^® was launched to ensure children in the community were prepared for school. This initiative includes Imagination Library, Share A Story, and the Born Learning initiative to create a healthy learning environment early on in a child's life.

In 2006, the community gave more than $4 million. That year the Legacy Circle endowment program provided for the first time, an opportunity for individuals and families to give endowment gifts to the United Way.