1923
United Way of Central Oklahoma was founded as the “Community Chest.”
1937
The Community Fund campaign takes advantage of the the booming motion picture industry to create short films highlighting its work in the central Oklahoma community.
1952
The organization’s name is changed to the United Fund.
1957
United Fund is attacked in the newspapers and handbills on the eve of the general campaign over its support of Urban League during the Civil Rights Movement.
1960
The name is changed once again to United Appeal.
1976
The organization takes on the name United Way of Greater Oklahoma City Area.
1987
After including the Putnam City United Fund into its annual campaign, the United Way of Greater Oklahoma City Area changes its name a final time to United Way of Central Oklahoma to include areas of the region outside of Oklahoma City. United Way of Central Oklahoma also transitions to its current allocation method of determining
allocated dollars to Partner Agencies following the campaign.
1990
The organization purchases its own property for the first time, converting The Mayfair Apartment building into office spaces.
1995
The bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building sent United Way into action, allocating $100,000 from its disaster relief fund to be available to assist with unmet needs. The same year, Governor Frank Keating appointed United Way of Metro Oklahoma City the manager of a central coordinating data base called “The Community Assistance Network” to link victims and survivors to funds and long term resources.
1999
On May 3, an outbreak of at least 70 tornadoes in Oklahoma and Kansas led to an F5 tornado in Oklahoma City that killed 36 people and destroyed a 38-mile swath of homes and businesses in central Oklahoma. The next morning, United Way’s Executive Committee agreed to make $200,000 available for relief efforts.
2008
United Way of Central Oklahoma found its new and current home at 1444 NW 28th Street. The building, formerly a church, was renovated and offers multiple meeting spaces which are available to community organizations.
2009
After many years of working with United Way Partner Agencies and community organizations to create a homeless campus, the City of Oklahoma City asked UWCO to spearhead efforts to finalize the project.
2013
The largest disaster on state record struck Oklahoma when several tornadoes demolished thousands of homes and killed two dozen people, many of whom were children in local elementary schools. Oklahomans, and indeed the world, joined together to support their neighbors and pick up the pieces. That year marked the largest fundraising total the nonprofit has ever seen – more than $40 million – and the most volunteers ever to step
forth, ready to work as hard as it took to mend what could be mended from homes to hearts.
2016
United Way of Central Oklahoma was awarded the 2016 Charles Shusterman Award for Excellence from the Center for Nonprofits as the state’s top nonprofit organization.
2017
United Way of Logan County came under United Way of Central Oklahoma.
2018
United Way of Canadian County came under United Way of Central Oklahoma.
2019
In partnership with the OKC Chamber’s Compact, United Way played a key role in the development and implementation of EmbraceOKC. This collaborative initiative addresses mental health issues in the district’s schools through a comprehensive mental health action plan. United Way also launched its WayFinder Innovation Grant, an iniative through which local nonprofits submit innovative ideas that address community issues. Finalists are invited to pitch their ideas for a chance at one-time funding.
2020
The COVID-19 pandemic struck central Oklahoma with a devastating impact. United Way established the COVID-19 Response Fund, which brought in more than $2.9 million and provided emergency funding to Partner Agencies serving more than 50,000 Oklahomans in need of critical services including rent and utility assistance, food and essential household items and mental and medical telehealth services.
2023
United Way of Central Oklahoma celebrated its 100th Anniversary.