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Our History

The Franklin-Southampton Area United Way got its beginnings as the Franklin Community Fund in 1940.  It is no surprise that a Camp family member, Hugh Camp, was the first chairman.  The initial campaign goal was $5,100 and they raised over $8,656 – 70% over goal.  The campaign slogan was “Help Franklin Help Franklin.”

 

The Franklin Community Fund became the Franklin Area United Way in 1979.  John Hopkins, a Union Camp employee, was board president.  Most of the community projects were being funded by Camp family money at that time.  Some board members believed that the community would have more ownership of projects and programs if there was a higher level of community participation in raising the money and choosing the programs.

 

A partnership with the United Way was considered a good fit to accomplish that.  The United Way brand was highly respected and there was a national campaign to piggyback on.  The change also opened the door to solicit Union Camp employees through payroll deduction – and this was hugely successful!  The combination of donations from employees and corporate matches from Union Camp/International Paper routinely generated 40 – 50% of the annual campaign until its closure in 2009.

 

The Citizens Review Committee was formed to review grant requests and decide what programs to fund along with how much to give. We still have this important committee today, made up of board members and citizens at large from the community. On average, we award twenty agency grants per year. 

 

From the very beginning, grants from the Camp Family Foundations, and later Franklin-Southampton Charities, have covered our administrative costs.  That lets every dollar of community donations go directly to programs, giving donors a peace of mind in knowing that 100% of their gift goes directly to communty programs.  

 

Over the years, our name has changed as our territory expanded. The Franklin Community Fund became the Franklin Area United Way, then the Greater Franklin Area United Way, and finally the Franklin-Southampton Area United Way.  What hasn’t changed is our goal of helping people to have better lives. 

 

For the last several years, over 20,000 people a year right here in Franklin and Southampton County have used services from United Way funded agencies and been touched by our expanded community impact projects. We continue to expand beyond our agency grants to create community projects such as the Student Wellness Program, Seeds of Kindness, and United for Impact. 

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In addition, we continue to seek collaborations with our local government, schools, businesses and other organizations that allow us to reach more residents and provide more services. We have enhanced our volunteer base and continue to seek new ways to provide much-needed resources to our residents.

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