McHenry County's United Way movement began with the Crystal Lake United Fund in 1965 and the United Way of Southeast McHenry County in 1967. United Way of McHenry County emerged in 1978 from a reorganized United Way of Crystal Lake. In 1981, it merged with the United Way of Cary Grove-Oakwood Hills.

The reorganization and merger was prompted by the realization that member agencies were serving residents of the entire county and that a single organization could more effectively conduct charitable activities throughout the county.

From 1981 through 1984, our United Way participated in a regional fund-raising and allocations effort with the Chicago-based united Way/Crusade of Mercy and United Way of Suburban Chicago. United Way of McHenry County eventually concluded that the longer term charitable support needs of McHenry County would be best served by independent status, and it withdrew from the regional organization as the end of 1984.

Since 1984, United Way of McHenry County has concentrated on the health and human service needs of our residents. Our campaign has grown from $310,000 raised in 1984 to a record $2,133,043 raised in 2001. We allocated $1,152,000 in the 2009 campaign.

Effective July 1, 2009, United Way of McHenry County became United Way of Greater McHenry County to better reflect the growth of our local communities into areas outside our county boundaries. United Way services areas beyond McHenry County - expanding our reach to Boone, DeKalb, Kane and Lake Counties.

Now, as our community continues to grow, the demand for services is greater than ever. We are committed to being more than a fund-raiser for our partner agencies as we work toward building a stronger community by mobilizing resources to create positive solutions to greater McHenry County's most pressing needs.