United Way brings communities together to focus on the most important needs in the community -- building partnerships, forging consensus and leveraging resources to make a measurable difference.

If it requires fundraising, going to Congress, or just getting people to work together, that's what we do. We look at root causes - it's not enough to feed a hungry family, we look to change the conditions that led to hunger in the first place.

• Our Mission
• Our Vision
• Regional Aspiration
• We Believe
• Our Core Values
• Our History

Our Mission

The mission of United Way for Southeastern Michigan is to mobilize the caring power of Detroit and Southeastern Michigan to improve communities and individual lives in measurable and lasting ways.

Our Vision

United Way for Southeastern Michigan will be a unique leader in bringing together partners to create long-lasting improvements in our communities. We will be recognized as a trusted steward of our communities' contributions and resources, and accountable for planned outcomes.

Regional Aspiration

All people across southeastern Michigan have the educational and economic opportunities needed to succeed and thrive.

We Believe

United Way believes that to truly improve lives in our region we must act collectively to impact the critical issues affecting residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. We are committed to bringing together partners across all sectors in order to address community concerns before they become problems. In so doing, we create sustainable community change.

Our Core Values

Caring. We are supportive and compassionate.

Collaboration and Teamwork. We work together productively, as an organization and with our partners throughout the community. We communicate with each other and our partners in an open and honest manner.

Commitment. We are committed to our community, our partners, and excellence. We are passionate about our work.

Community. We are responsive to our community. We are stewards of the community's resources.

Continuous Learning. We support and encourage both personal and professional growth and development.

Everyone. We respect and appreciate all individuals. We value diversity and equality.

Innovation. We encourage and support new ideas. We learn from our successes and our failures.

Integrity. We are honest, ethical, and transparent. We are credible in our work. We have self-respect.

Ourselves. We respect each individual's physical, mental, and emotional needs. We support a balance between work and life. We have fun.

Results. We are goal driven. We are purposeful in our actions. We are proactive. We adapt to new ways of doing our work. We are accountable for our work.

Our History

The boards of directors of United Way Community Services and United Way of Oakland County voted on March 17, 2005, to create a new United Way to best serve this region. Ralph W. Babb, Jr., chairman & CEO, Comerica Incorporated and chair of United Way Community Services' board of directors; and Jeff Love, president, Baker College of Auburn Hills and chair of United Way of Oakland County's board of directors, made the announcement. The new organization serves Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. It was named United Way for Southeastern Michigan, effective April 1, 2005.

United Way History in Southeast Michigan