About Us

                                                             Capital Area United Way History

Capital Area United Way has been serving the Baton Rouge area since 1925. Over the years, there have been changes to better serve and more efficiently meet the needs of our community. Capital Area United Way originated as The Baton Rouge Community Chest. Its first fund drive was called the “Community Chest Campaign.” The modern United Way movement, shifting emphasis of ownership from agencies to contributors, began here in 1952. By 1969, the organization expanded to serve a six-parish area. In 1976, the name officially changed to Capital Area United Way.

One of approximately 1,400 self-governing, local United Ways, Capital Area United Way is locally governed and operated. Offices are maintained at 700 Laurel Street in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

 

 

 

What is United Way?

United Way is a vital community problem solving forum dedicated to its mission. It is a volunteer based network of people providing critical community services to those in need. This network works through 53 local health and human service Member Agencies and 16 Community Health Charity of Louisiana Affiliated Agencies.

CAUW Member Agencies currently provide 168 programs. A recent report shows that in 2005, CAUW Member Agencies served 1,807,113 people.  There are 788,235 people in the 10-parish area according to the July 1, 2006 Census update.  That means that the agencies provided services equivalent to 2 ¼ services per person in the 10-parish area! It is also known that some people use more than one agency for services. For example, a person may get Red Cross CPR training at work and be in a parenting class at Family Service of Greater Baton Rouge.

Through its expert volunteers and staff, United Way:

  • Assesses current and future community needs
  • Brings organizations and people together to address those needs
  • Determines where limited financial resources can do the most good and distributes accordingly
  • Recruits and trains other volunteers
  • Puts people in touch with the services they need

Mission Statement

To increase the organized capacity of people in the Capital Area to care for one another by uniting individuals and organizations to identify and address community needs.


Vision

Capital Area United Way will be recognized as the premier fund raising organization for health and human service needs in the 10-parish area. Through its leadership, United Way will bring together a diverse group of donors and volunteers to help its Member Agencies and others make a significant impact on the community. Its capacity will grow with the needs of the community.


Core Values
  • Donor and Public Trust
  • Maximizing the Impact of Donor Dollars and Volunteer Service
  • Full and Open Participation of All Groups in Our Community
  • Ethical and Principled Conduct
  • Fulfilling of Our Commitments
  • Partnership and Collaboration Among Stakeholders
  • Solving Problems Throughout the 10-Parish Area

Key Messages

  • This is the New United Way
    • Our 10-parish Capital Area is rapidly changing and Capital Area United Way is working diligently to better understand those changes and to focus resources where they are needed most.
    • Howard Taylor has brought a re-energized and refocused approach to Capital Area United Way.
    • Community engagement is the key to our success moving forward.
    • We are continually out there listening and learning about the changing landscape in the communities of need.
  • United Way is making sure help gets where it is needed most.
    • Your United Way is engaged in our community and will continue to listen to the community as needs grow.
    • Capital Area United Way works as your partner in addressing the needs of our citizens by annually conducting research on community issues and distributing funds to improve the quality of life.
    • Through the work of hundreds of volunteers, Capital Area United Way is committed to ensuring the money you contribute is well spent. These trained and experienced volunteers ensure that every group receiving funds is a non-profit, tax-exempt charity governed by volunteers, and that it submits to an annual independent financial audit, and provides services at a reasonable cost. 
    • Capital Area United Way is an effective organization. Last year CAUW volunteers raised millions to support its Member Agencies.
    • Your contribution to Capital Area United Way gets results. A recent report shows that in 2005, our Member Agencies served 1,807,113 people. There are 788,235 people in the 10-parish area according to the July 1, 2006 Census update. This means that CAUW agencies provided services equivalent to 2 ¼ services per person in the 10-parish area In fact, some individuals use more than one agency for services.
  • Your United Way contribution is an investment in your community.
    • Your United Way contribution is put to use locally to better our community through 53 health and human service Member Agencies and 16 Community Health Charity of Louisiana Affiliated Agencies.
    • Your United Way contribution has a visible impact on the 10-parish Capital Area of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. James, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana. 
  • United Way helps improve lives and build a stronger community.
    • Capital Area United way helps those you really care about like your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Experienced local volunteers assess community needs and determine how to distribute funds so that donors know their money is directed to the most pressing community issues and reaches the people who are most in need.
    • Capital Area United Way offers a year-round approach to improving lives of the people in the 10-parish Capital Area. United Way volunteers are at work all year conducting site visits and membership reviews of funded agencies, planning campaign strategy and serving on important community task forces that are addressing the needs of this area.
  • Let me tell you how to get involved.
    • Capital Area United Way is The Way to Help:
      • Give
      • Volunteer
      • Tell someone about us
      • To find out more log on to thewaytohelp.com or call (225) 383-2643