the old way
Service to communities defined by county lines; identify issues and treat the symptoms of a problem.

the United Way
Service to communities defined by common issues, regional collaboration, shared resources, improved lives and a stronger community for all of the Greater Capital Region; multiple partners and new approaches work together to identify and tackle the root causes of the issues. 

This more comprehensive and personal approach will changes lives and communities for the long term.

United Way of the Greater Capital Region

For more than 80 years, there have been two United Ways providing community support throughout the Capital Region:  United Way of Northeastern New York, which serves the communities of Albany, Saratoga, Rensselaer and Schoharie counties, and United Way of Schenectady County.

The boards of directors of the two United Ways will propose to their memberships that the two organizations be merged into one new organization, United Way of the Greater Capital Region.

The new organization will be marked by a commitment to serving communities defined by common issues, regional collaboration, shared resources, improved lives and a stronger community for all residents of the Greater Capital Region.  Under this new model, multiple partners and new approaches will work together to identify and tackle the root causes of the issues facing our communities.  This more comprehensive and personal approach will change lives and communities for the long term.

In January 2007, the Boards of Directors of the two United Ways passed separate resolutions authorizing the development of a draft plan of merger.  Since then, the two staffs have been working collaboratively to understand the mechanics of the merger and to ensure that the new organization will have a positive impact for our communities and diverse partners.

At their meetings in May 2007, the two Boards will place a resolution in front of the members of both organizations to approve the plan of merger.  The membership meetings for both organizations will be held separately on May 3, 2007. 

If the memberships approve the merger, United Way of the Greater Capital Region will be created and a single United Way organization serving the Greater Capital Region counties of Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady and Schoharie will be created.  It is anticipated that all of the necessary legal requirements will take some time and that the new United Way will be announced by summer 2007.

For more information, please download our fact sheet and our FAQs.  If you need additional information, please contact us.