History & Service Area

What we now recognize as United Way, began in 1887 when a woman, a priest, a rabbi, and two ministers created an organization in Denver to collect funds for local charities. The first year, $21,700 was raised for 10 health and welfare organizations. And that was just the beginning.

In 1928, United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States began its work as the Dubuque Community Chest. Citizens and civic organizations joined together under the principle that "individualism is a traditional characteristic of the American people, but so is the spirit of teamwork pulling together for good causes."

At the time, Dubuque Community Chest was organized, there were only 350 Community Chests in the United States. Today, there are more than 1,800 United Ways worldwide, and United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States has gone from raising $65,000 annually to raising more than $1.5 million annually. 

United Way promises to bring community partners together to reduce and prevent poverty on a scale no one can accomplish alone in priority areas of health, education, and financial stability.

United Way's value is to provide accountability structures that monitor impact while enhancing services that address the community's immediate needs in the areas of health, education, and financial stability. 

Our mission - is to connect people and resources to advance the health, education, and income of those in need in our community. 

We serve the following communities in these counties:

Iowa

Allamakee - Church, Egan, Frankville, Gunder, Harpers Ferry, Junction, Lansing, Postville, Village Creek, Waterville, Waukon
Clayton - Clayton, Clayton Center, Communia, Edgewood, Elkader, Elkport, Farmersburg, Froelich, Garber, Garnavillo, Giard, Guttenberg, Hardin, Littleport, Luana, McGregor, Marquette, Mederville, Millville, Monona, North Buena Vista, Osborne, Rossville, Saint Olaf, Strawberry Point, Volga, Volney, Watson
Delaware - Colesburg, Delaware, Delhi, Dutchtown, Dundee, Earlville, Greeley, Hazel Green, Hopkinton, Manchester, Masonville, Oneida, Ryan, Sand Springs, Thorpe
Dubuque - Asbury, Bernard, Cascade, Dubuque, Durango, Dyersville, Epworth, Farley, Holy Cross, Luxemburg, New Vienna, Peosta, Sherrill, Worthington, Zwingle
Fayette - Brainard, Clermont, Elgin, Wadena
Jackson - Anndrew, Baldwin, Bellevue, Canton, Emeline, Fulton, Green Island, Hurstville, Iron Hills, La Motte, Maquoketa, Miles, Monmouth, Nashville, Sabula, Saint Donatus, Spragueville, Springbrook

Illinois

Carroll - Savanna 
Jo Daviess - Council Hill, East Dubuque, Galena, Menominee, Scales Mound

Wisconsin

Grant - Bagley, Beetown, Bloomington, Cassville, Cuba City, Dickeyville, Fenimore, Glen Haven, Hazel Green, Kieler, Lancaster, Mount Hope, Patch Grove, Potosi, Sinsinawa
Lafayette - Benton, Shullsburg