About Us

United Way of Henry County & Martinsville has been serving our area for over 60 years.  One in three people in our community have or will benefit from a United Way funded service or program at some point in their lives. When you give to the United Way, you are supporting local programs and services impacting men, women, children and families who live right here in Martinsville and Henry County.  When you combine your contribution of time, money or resources with that of others you are able to achieve a greater impact than you can alone. The power of United Way is the ability to bring the community together to collectively address our most critical issues and problems. The Volunteer Connection is just one of many programs and services United Way offers to help our community thrive. Visit our website often (www.unitedwayofhcm.org) to learn more about how you are making a difference when you support United Way.

Why should I give to United Way?
People donate to the United Way because they want to ensure people in their community - their family, friends, neighbors and co-workers - have the resources they need to succeed. Your gift provides a broad spectrum of effective local programs; that impact the most critical issues affecting Martinsville and Henry County area families. The United Way also promotes volunteerism and product donation drives (such as food and school supplies) which helps offset decreased government funding of local health and human services.

How is United Way different from other organizations?
The United Way has always been an advocate for a broad coalition of organizations. United Way identifies the most pressing needs in our area and knows how to best meet those needs. The United Way of Henry County and Martinsville provides funding to 22 agencies and other support to all the area¿s nonprofits. Our support positively impacts  housing, hunger, health care, education, crisis services and personal recovery.

What are United Way's Community Goals?
United Way of Henry County & Martinsville focuses its funding and other donated resources to help people in need in our community while addressing the following goals: Helping Children and Youth, Responding to People in Crisis, Helping the Mentally and Physically Challenged and Providing Emergency Medical Assistance.

Who decides how the money United Way raises is used in the community?
Each year, dozens of people from Martinsville and Henry County volunteer and decide how to allocate funds to programs that make an impact in peoples lives. They do so after thoroughly viewing agency applications and financial information. This review includes on-site visits to agencies and director interviews. United Way, through its experienced volunteers and staff, knows the critical issues and which programs can best meet those needs.

How is United Way affiliated with United Way of America?
Your United Way is governed by a volunteer board of directors - a group of citizens from Martinsville and Henry County - which makes the final decisions on policies, projects and funding on a local basis. United Way of America is the trade association for over 1,400 local United Ways across the nation. Locally, your United Way receives free advertising, national public policy and lobbying support, research, and volunteer and staff training from United Way of America.

Where does United Way get its funding and how much is used?
United Way collects donations from many sources. Most of the dollars United Way is able to invest in the community come from individuals and local businesses during its annual campaign. Other revenue comes from special grants from foundations such as the Harvest Foundation and VF Corporation.  United Way is able to leverage the money it raises to make an enormous impact on our community by using only 6% for administrative costs. This operating percentage is much lower than many organizations in the nation.