United Way’s Local History

What we now know as United Way began as a community fund in 1931. In the first few years the annual drive went by several different names (United Drive, Sheboygan Community Welfare Fund) but many corporate supporters of the community fund in the 1930s still support United Way today.

Timeline

1934 – Sheboygan Community Welfare Fund is established

1941 – Sheboygan Community Welfare Fund changes their name to Sheboygan Community Fund

1953 – IRS 501(c)3 exempt determination letter issued

1961 – United Fund of Sheboygan Falls is established

1966 – United Fund of Plymouth is established

1967 – Sheboygan Community Fund changes their name to Sheboygan United Fund

1975 – Sheboygan United Fund changes their name to Sheboygan United Way

1981 – United Fund of Plymouth decides to change their name to Plymouth Area United Way

1986 – United Fund of Sheboygan Falls decides to change their name to United Way of Sheboygan Falls

2005 – The Plymouth Area United Way merges with United Way of Sheboygan

2012 – United Way of Sheboygan Falls merges with the Sheboygan & Plymouth Area United Way to create United Way of Sheboygan County (UWSC)

United Way’s National History | United Way Worldwide (UWW)

In May 2009, United Way of America and United Way International were integrated as one global entity, United Way Worldwide. United Way of Sheboygan County (UWSC) is a part of this organization. As a local United Way (LUW), UWSC must abide by membership requirements codified in United Way Worldwide's bylaws. We pay dues as a member of United Way Worldwide and receive benefits including professional development, brand awareness, marketing support, advocacy coordination, grant opportunities, peer support, and more.

Read more about our national history.

How we live and change lives in Sheboygan County

UWSC identifies issues, develops partnerships, implements solutions, and measures results. Our goal is to create long-lasting changes by addressing the underlying causes of problems. UWSC fights for the equity and inclusion for everyone in our community. Imagine a community where children, individuals, and families thrive; neighbors care for each other; and we are proud of all our residents’ quality of life. For more than 80 years, United Way of Sheboygan County has been working to make that vision a reality.