About Us

United Way of Greater Atlanta has been serving the community for almost 120 years. We are one of the largest chapters within the United Way Worldwide network of more than 1,700 independent local chapters serving communities across the world.

about the united way

What we do

Greater Atlanta is one of the most vibrant regions in the country, but the region has significant barriers to realizing its potential in the future because of its continued ranking at the bottom of the list of metro areas in income mobility. Children born in low-income households have only a 4% chance of getting out of poverty in their lifetime.

We at United Way of Greater Atlanta don’t like those odds. Our work is about changing them so that children — regardless of where they’re born — have the chance to realize their potential and build lives that sustain them, their families, and their communities.

Our history

1905

United Way was founded in 1905 by 27-year-old attorney Joseph Logan following a snow and ice storm that left many without food and supplies. His mission – which inspires ours to this day – was to mobilize the caring power of the community to provide a hand up to anyone in need. 

2017

In 2017, United Way of Greater Atlanta launched its Child Well-Being Agenda to focus our efforts and investments on improving the well-being of children, the families that support them, and the communities that surround them. 

We believe it takes a blend of different strengths, backgrounds and perspectives working collaboratively to meet big challenges and drive large-scale, long-lasting change. 

Where we serve

United Way of Greater Atlanta serves thirteen counties in the Atlanta metro area. We have an active presence in all of those counties and extensive connections in each of those communities through our County Advisory Boards, our network of partner nonprofits, and numerous partnerships with local governments, community leaders, businesses, schools, and faith communities.