March 18th, 1888 -- The start of a formal organization of the voluntary health and welfare agencies in Sangamon County occurred at a meeting in the Supervisor's Room of the Sangamon County Courthouse.

1892 -- After first efforts failed, it wasn't until Mrs. J. W. Patton returned from a meeting of Women's Club Managers at the 1893 World's Fair that new energy was brought into this endeavor.

1894 -- The Charity Organization of Springfield begins operating.

1898 -- The name of the organization was changed to Associated Charities.

November, 1922 -- The Chamber of Commerce felt that a Community Chest and a central body of health and welfare agencies were needed in our community.

March, 1923 -- The constitution of the newly formed Springfield Council of Social Agencies was passed.  Mr. Robert C. Lanphier was the Chair.  They raised about $150,000.

1934 -- The name changed to Associated Welfare Agencies with Fred Schrader as President and Robert Troxell as Campaign Chairman.   Approximately $112,000 was raised.

1939 -- George A. Bengal, President and George E. Day, Campaign Chairman again reorganize and changed the name to The Springfield Community Chest.  Another $150,000 was raised.

1942 -- After additional reorganization the name is changed to The War Fund Council.  Leadership included Edward S. Perry as President and Leon E. Fisher as Campaign Chairman.  $340,000 was raised under this leadership.

1946 -- This marked another time of reorganization and revamping.  The name changed to The Community Chest of Springfield and Sangamon County.  Van Courtney Crane, President and Thomas F. Paris, Campaign Chairman together raised $270,000.

1955 -- George K. Blanchard, President and James H. Patton decided to take a slightly different direction, include a larger territory, and change the name.  The new name was United Community Services of Springfield and Sangamon County and they raised $370,000.

1971 -- This is the first campaign to raise over 1 million.  Funds raised were approximately $1,026,000 under the leadership of John R. Chapin as President and John M. Bunn as Campaign Chairman.

1975 -- United Community Funds joins 2,200 local United Ways around the country in becoming the United Way of Sangamon County.   The organization was under the leadership of Halbert A. Schussele as President and William R. Schnirring as Campaign Chairman and raised about $1,310,000.

1980 -- Howard C. Humphrey as President and Douglas S. Freyder as Campaign Chairman raised $1,850,000 and the name changed to United Way of Sangamon County, Inc.

1981 -- The campaign surpassed the 2 million dollar mark under the leadership of Paul F. Mahon, MD as President and Arthur F. Quem as Campaign Chairman.

1995 -- The organizations name is changed to the United Way of Central Illinois, Inc. reflecting the organization's service throughout the region.  During this year, Dr. Robert C. Hill was Chairman of the Board and Gary D. Neubauer was the Campaign Chairman.  This campaign raised about $2,536,000.

1996 -- Dr. Robert C. Hill was the President of the Board of Directors and Robert A. Stuart, Jr.  was the Campaign Chair.   $2,525,638 was raised.

1997 --  The United Way of Central Illinois implements a 100% message in which selected corporate gifts underwrite all expenses associated with the Community Fund.  Volunteer leadership included Ronald L. Wanless as Board Chair and Richard D. Barclay as Campaign Chair.  The campaigns raised $2,442,315.

2001 --  Following the events of September 11, 2001 the United Way of Central Illinois raised $2,810,117 which was the most ever raised to that point.  Volunteer leadership included Dr. Glen Cope as Board Chair and Gene and Elaine Wilkinson as Campaign Co-Chairs.

2006 --  The campaign surpassed the 3 million dollar mark under the leadership of Harry Mitchell Board Chair and Susan Wallace as Campaign Chair.