The History of The UNITED WAY of St. Francois County

Our organizational roots go back to 1988 when the Salvation Army approached the Farmington community looking for a group to run the yearly holiday kettle campaign.
An agreement was reached that funds raised from the kettle campaign in Farmington would be divided equally between three organizations, the Salvation Army, the Farmington Ministerial Alliance and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. This original agreement is still in effect today, although the kettle collections are now divided with one-third of the funds going to the Salvation Army, and two-thirds going to the United Way of St. Francois County for grant distribution. The money given to the Salvation Army is returned to St. Francois County for distribution here by a Salvation Army Board.
In 1994, FUFI (Farmington United Fund, Inc.) was formed, and a board established to manage and grow the fund raising efforts in our community. FUFI’s board of directors made the decision to improve the ability of the organization to raise funds, and help those in need in our community the best long term decision would be to become a member of the United Way organization. 
In 1996, the United Way of Farmington was founded; in 1999 the organization expanded to encompass our entire county, changing its name to the United Way of St. Francois County.
Our local United Way is a local independent, nonprofit 501(c) organization.  We are one of the over 1500 United Way organizations across the country.  Each United Way is an autonomous organization governed by its own board of directors.  Our United Way pays a yearly fee to United Way Worldwide for use of its logo, and some organizational guidance. 
Each year in April, our United Way publicizes the availability of a grant application for United Way funding.  Grant applications are reviewed in June and announced in August.  These grants are, as a general rule, paid out the following January/February. All grants are awarded to organizations within St. Francois County.
The basic mission of our United Way, as stated in our by-laws, is to provide funding and support to nonprofit groups to help meet the most basic human needs of food, shelter, health, educational and welfare services in St. Francois County.
Currently, the largest percentage of our grant funding is given to organizations providing food, utility and housing assistance in our county.  We provide grants to food pantries within our county, and we also help to support all four senior centers.  Previous grants have gone to organizations such as: LIFE, Inc. Center for Independent Living, Habitat for Humanity of St. Francois County, Farmington Meals on Wheels for Special Diets, YFC Back to School Fair, and Caring Communities in a number of our school districts.