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Welcome to Berkshire United Way
Our Mission
To improve people's lives by leading, collaborating and mobilizing resources to address community needs and priorities.
Our Vision
Berkshire United Way will improve the quality of life in Berkshire County by addressing community needs and creating sustained changes in community conditions.
A Short History
In 1887 the first United Way, called The Charity Organization Society was founded in Denver, Colorado. The organization planned and coordinated local services and conducted a single fund raising campaign totaling $21,700. Eleven years before, it became apparent to area churches that the need for human service was becoming too great for them to handle. They could see that the services provided by local agencies were overlapping, while other fields remained uncovered.
In an effort to organize the philanthropy of giving in Pittsfield, 25 men and women from various churches organized a group called the Union for Home Work. In years that passed, the Union became known as The Associated Charities. It helped set up and direct charitable organizations to address specific community needs. In 1924 the local Community Fund began. The organization enabled a donor to help many different agencies with one check. The Community Fund is now called the Berkshire United Way.
At Berkshire United Way, we lead the effort to solve the most pressing problems in the Berkshires. We bring together community resources and focus them on the most important issues. We build collaborations among businesses, non-profits, faith groups, donors, volunteers and the public sector. Working together we identify the needs, plan solutions and invest in measurable results.
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Community Aspiration
"Making Berkshire County a community of hope and opportunity, where every individual and family lives, works and thrives!"
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