In 1940, a group of Tyler leaders came together at the old Blackstone hotel downtown to meet about establishing a Tyler Community Chest. These organizations often popped up in communities around the country during times of crisis and need.
The need for a community chest in Tyler came out of the Great Depression recovery. Their goal that first year was $20,000 and they raised it with the help of the city of Tyler and a few local businesses and individuals.
Fast forward to today, and we have put over 65 Million back into the local community! United Way is the largest non-governmental funder of health and human services in the world. Locally, each United Way is autonomous and governed by a local volunteer board of directors.