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United Way of Putnam County to merge with United Way of Central Indiana
After several months of discussions, the boards of United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI) and United Way of Putnam County (UWPC) have voted to combine operations and function as United Way of Central Indiana, serving the areas of Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan and Putnam counties.
UWCI and UWPC representatives anticipate the merger will maximize impact for residents in need in Putnam County, offer more engagement opportunities for donors and volunteers and ensure long-term sustainability for United Way’s work in the Central Indiana region.
As part of the integration, UWCI will be working with UWPC partner organizations on a pathway to become integrated into UWCI’s impact work. This will provide access to a variety of community impact resources, including data and research, advocacy and public policy, thought leadership in the human services industry and grants.
Chris Flegal, executive director of UWPC, will join UWCI’s team as the director of community relations for Putnam, Morgan and Hendricks counties, and UWPC board and committee members will stay involved as advisers and advocates for the people of Putnam County. While the United Way Putnam County office will close, Flegal will remain active and present in the community.
“United Way of Central Indiana is pleased and proud to unite with Putnam County,” said Ann D. Murtlow, president and CEO of UWCI. “This is the perfect time and opportunity to expand on the missions of both organizations — leveraging our combined resources to help improve more lives in Putnam County and throughout our Central Indiana area, especially now as our entire community rebounds and recovers from the health and economic effects of COVID-19.”
“We are thrilled about this opportunity and the positive impact it will bring to Putnam County,” UWPC Board President Heather Taylor said. “UWCI is a trusted leader throughout the region and are doing amazing things in neighboring counties. We have no doubt this decision will create meaningful change in our community by maximizing our efforts to improve the health, education and financial stability of every Putnam County resident.”
Last year, United Way of Central Indiana invested $58 million to serve the needs of the community at large. Both UWCI and UWPC currently invest in similar initiatives to help provide the essentials that stabilize people in crisis, eliminate barriers to quality education, and improve the upward mobility of families — all with a focus on populations in poverty and ALICE (Asset Limited. Income Constrained. Employed).
Although more details will be available soon, UWPC officials gave assurances that corporate community, donors and volunteers can continue to support and remain connected to the causes they care about through UWCI’s programs, initiatives and engagement opportunities.
United Way of Central Indiana – A Merger History
United Way of Central Indiana was originally established as a Community Chest in 1918 and changed names over the years to reflect its growth. Hancock was the first county to join United Way – then called United Way of Greater Indianapolis – in 1962. Morgan, Hamilton and Hendricks counties followed a few years later, with Boone County the last to merge with United Way in 1970. By 1986, the organization was renamed United Way of Central Indiana to better represent its larger footprint and service to the region.
Visit www.uwci.org to learn more.