About Us

                                                
 

             Capital Area United Way History

Capital Area United Way has been serving the Baton Rouge area since 1925. Over the years, there have been changes to better serve and more efficiently meet the needs of our community. Capital Area United Way originated as The Baton Rouge Community Chest. Its first fund drive was called the “Community Chest Campaign.” The modern United Way movement, shifting emphasis of ownership from agencies to contributors, began here in 1952. By 1969, the organization expanded to serve a six-parish area. In 1976, the name officially changed to Capital Area United Way.

One of approximately 1,400 self-governing, local United Ways, Capital Area United Way is locally governed and operated. Offices are maintained at 700 Laurel Street in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

 

 

 

What is United Way?

United Way is a vital community problem solving forum dedicated to its mission. It is a volunteer based network of people providing critical community services to those in need. This network works through 49 local health and human service Member Agencies and 16 Community Health Charity of Louisiana Affiliated Agencies.


Through its expert volunteers and staff, United Way:

  • Assesses current and future community needs
  • Brings organizations and people together to address those needs
  • Determines where limited financial resources can do the most good and distributes accordingly
  • Recruits and trains other volunteers
  • Puts people in touch with the services they need

Mission Statement

To increase the organized capacity of people in the Capital Area to care for one another by uniting individuals and organizations to identify and address community needs.


Vision

Capital Area United Way will be recognized as the premier fund raising organization for health and human service needs in the 10-parish area. Through its leadership, United Way will bring together a diverse group of donors and volunteers to help its Member Agencies and others make a significant impact on the community. Its capacity will grow with the needs of the community.


Core Values
  • Donor and Public Trust
  • Maximizing the Impact of Donor Dollars and Volunteer Service
  • Full and Open Participation of All Groups in Our Community
  • Ethical and Principled Conduct
  • Fulfilling of Our Commitments
  • Partnership and Collaboration Among Stakeholders
  • Solving Problems Throughout the 10-Parish Area

Key Messages

  • The needs of the 10-parish Capital Area are greater now than at any time in history.  Within recent years, the need for services in our community has doubled.  This affects everyone in our community either directly or indirectly.
  • At the same time that our population and needs have grown, donations to Capital Area United Way have not kept pace with its growth.  This is a critical time for our community and we need all the assistance we can get, whether it is donating time and services or making a financial contribution.
  • The new Capital Area United Way offers individuals and businesses an easy way to help their community and a way to get help where it is needed most.
  • United Way is constantly in the process of monitoring the community and assessing where the greatest needs are.  This allows United Way to best target donations to those most in need and to those agencies most able to meet those needs.  Research and dialogue are the keys to better understanding the needs of our 10-parish area.  Data drives our efforts and allows us to treat major social problems at their root causes.
  • United Way continues to undergo transformational change as an organization in an effort to more profoundly affect outcomes in our community.  Some call this a "community impact" model.  We call it getting resources to where they will do the most good.
  • Creating such lasting change for our community requires that we live united.  Living united means being a part of this lasting change.  Your charitable contributions and volunteer efforts to Capital Area United Way provide much-needed support to numerous health and human service organizations that serve the surrounding 10-parish Capital Area.
  • The new United Way is more engaged in our community than ever.  Look for us in your community at meetings, events, and making a difference wherever people are in need.
  • Call your Capital Area United Way today and volunteer to run a campaign in your business or volunteer to adopt a Day of Caring project.  We can make a difference in the 10-parish Capital Area with your help.

 

 

Certified under the
Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations
Standards of Excellence