OVER 100 YEARS OF IMPACT

In 1921, a group of community leaders established the Mesa Welfare League to better serve Mesa residents in need. From their headquarters in downtown Mesa, a small team formalized the process of meeting with individuals to distribute funds and donated items. The League’s early work included food collections for out-of-work farmers, holiday drives for low-income households, and assisting with Great Depression relief efforts.

Over the next several decades the model of providing direct and indirect social services based on a community’s needs spread across the globe. Local groups organized under larger governing bodies and the Mesa Welfare League eventually became the Mesa Community Chest in the 1940’s. In 1964, Mesa United Way adopted its current name.

Today we are proud to continue the legacy of people who made it their work to help people and communities recover in times of crisis. Mesa United Way now supports a host of service programs dedicated to fighting for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our community.