Now in its 90th year, the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley is a vital resource that has helped to improve the quality of life for thousands of individuals in the community. The mission of the United Way is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the Mahoning Valley.

The United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley traces its roots to 1919. Many worthy charities in and around the Youngstown area were seeking support for their services. In seeking that support, duplication of effort and the need for social agencies to cooperate and share information became evident.

Realizing the need for a unified fundraising and fund distribution effort, eleven local businessmen filed articles of incorporation for the Community Corporation, the parent corporation of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, on February 10, 1919. The stated purpose of the non-profit organization was "to promote the general welfare of the community of Youngstown, Ohio, and vicinity, and for such purpose to receive, use and disburse money and other property either directly or through others." 

The first campaign was chaired by Asael E. Adam, Sr. in 1919 and raised $328,234. Twenty-seven social service agencies were affiliated with The Community Corporation. Since that date the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley has raised over $137,000,000 to help to meet critical health and human service community needs.