WHEREAS, In 2012, the United Way celebrated the 125th anniversary of its founding; and

WHEREAS, The United Way was founded in Denver in 1887; and

WHEREAS, Today, the United Way is the largest privately funded, nonprofit corporation in the nation and the world, with more than 1,800 United Ways in 41 countries and territories; and

WHEREAS, The focus of the United Way is identifying and resolving pressing community issues, as well as making measurable changes in the communities through partnerships with schools, government agencies, businesses, organized labor, financial institutions, community development corporations, voluntary and neighborhood associations, the faith community, and others; and

WHEREAS, The issues the United Way focuses on are determined locally because of the diversity of the communities served; and

WHEREAS, The United Way’s overall framework, however, includes education, income, and health; and

WHEREAS, The United Way builds on community strengths and assets, helps individuals and groups with specific community interests, finds ways for them to contribute their time and talents, supports direct-service programs and community-change efforts, and advocates public policy changes; and

WHEREAS, Millions of corporations and businesses partner with the United Way to address community needs; and

WHEREAS, The United Way of California improves the health, education, and financial results of low-income children and families by enhancing and coordinating the advocacy and community impact work of California’s United Ways; and

WHEREAS, California’s independent, local United Ways created United Ways of California to help them work together to advance their mutual goals; and

WHEREAS, California’s local United Ways do vital work in their communities. They collectively raise over $200 million per year in charitable gifts for targeted investments and critical health, education, and human services; and

WHEREAS, By working together through United Ways of California, the local United Ways can more effectively pursue opportunities and develop resources across multiple regions and the entire state, and better influence the state policy environment, which has a significant impact on local United Ways’ success in their communities; and

WHEREAS, Individually and together, California’s United Ways build a stronger California by mobilizing our public, private, and nonprofit sectors through research, civic engagement, public policy advocacy, and results-based funding; and

WHEREAS, The United Way organizations in this state advance the common good and improve communities across this state as places to live and to do business through strategic investments, initiatives, partnerships, and advocacy; now, therefore, be it