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Our History

Chartered in June 1954, Mr. H.L. Miller became the first President of United Community Fund of Blount County’s Board of Directors. The board began planning a fall campaign right away. Mr. Dick Goddard was asked to be the Campaign Chairman for this young and growing charity organization. In that year, $86,150 was raised to assist 14 agencies that provided help to hundreds of people in our community.

In 1973, the Board of Directors voted to change the organization’s name to United Way of Blount County (UWBC). That year $229,132 was raised under the leadership of Campaign Chair Dean Stone. That money helped 17 agencies make a difference in the lives of people of Blount County. In 1997, UWBC began program funding, and over 50 people participated in the allocations process. UWBC celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2004. That year, UWBC moved into a new facility and the campaign raised $1,850,424 for our partner agencies with the help of our Campaign Chair Greg McClain and a host of volunteers.

In 2008, UWBC hired new President & CEO Michelle Hankes following Sandra Davis’ retirement after 17 years with United Way. In that same year, volunteers began to spearhead an incentive to create measurable goals to improve self-sufficiency, education and health in Blount County. Over 75 people attended focus groups and created 5 year goals and prioritized sub-categories for each benchmark and community need.

In 2013, UWBC hired new President & CEO Jennifer Wackerhagen, who most recently was Vice President of Resource Development at United Way of Blount County. That same year, United Way raised over $2 million in the annual campaign.

In 2014, UWBC celebrated 60 years as an organization in Blount County.

In 2017, UWBC founded the Champions program and CLS (Connect Lead Serve) Clubs.

In 2019, UWBC was honored by Blount Partnership with the Community Impact Award. Through the Homelessness Task Force and a grant from UWBC, the Warming Shelter opened and provided a safe, warm gathering place during extreme temperatures.

In 2020, at the onset of the pandemic, we rose to help our community, immediately releasing $45,000 from our discretionary fund to start a COVID-19 Response Fund. Our community quickly joined in, giving generously to support those disproportionately affected by this pandemic. In a few short months, we raised $275,059 and have since awarded $163,030 in grants, serving 5,791 of our friends and neighbors in need. 

In 2021, for the eighth consecutive year, United Way of Blount County was awarded a 4-Star Rating by Charity Navigator. This is an accomplishment that only 7% of nonprofit organizations in our country have attained. Received a grant from the Arconic Foundation to expand A.L.I.C.E. education and awareness. For the first time in history, the Major Firms campaign division raised over $1 million.

In 2022, the Annual Campaign set a record, raising $2,191,577 by Victory. Hosted workshops and roundtable discussions on Affordable Housing and continued Poverty Awareness education with ALICE workshops, Bridges out of Poverty and the Poverty Simulation. Staff explored I.D.E.A. (Inclusion Diversity Equity Access) and what it means for our organization, our partners, and how we serve the most vulnerable. Developed a three-year Strategic Plan and redesigned our Mission Statement. After awarding $45,000 in grants throughout the year, transitioned the COVID-19 Response Fund to an Emergency Response fund for future disasters.

UWBC fights for the health, education and self-sufficiency of every person in Blount County.

To view our Daily Times insert highlighting our 60th anniversary, click here!