A Century of Collaboration: United Way’s History Through Photos 

A Century of Collaboration 
United Way’s History Through Photos 

By Tony Penn | President and CEO of United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona 

The Tucson Metro Chamber recently commemorated 125 years. Our story began 25 years later in good company. If you could turn back the hands of time 100 years, a couple of familiar institutions opened their doors for the first time in Tucson, like the Rialto Theatre, El Charro Café, and your United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.   

From our humble beginnings in 1922 as the Tucson Community Chest, we moved from funding 10 partner agencies to today, where your United Way actively works with more than 80 nonprofit organizations; surrounding cities and municipalities; dozens of local, regional, and national foundations, and hundreds of business and educational entities.   

After 100 years, we are not only still here, but we are engaging in more collaboratively driven work than ever in our community, thanks to the generous volunteers, donors, board members, staff, and other stakeholders who have willingly, and ably, served through the years. Because of their dedication, together, we have created stories of positive transformations in the lives of millions.  

As we look beyond our centennial year, we are committed to doubling our impact by serving 360,000 people in Tucson and Southern Arizona by 2023, from the beginning to the end of life. We will continue to improve educational and life outcomes for children by advancing equity and excellence in education. We will continue to enhance the equity of employment and financial wellness for adults and families. We will continue to improve the quality of living and dying for everyone in our community.   

Much like our Tucson Metro Chamber, your United Way understands that the collective has more power, and when we advocate together, we become champions for a stronger community. We understand that the business community is vital to our mission; whether running a workplace campaign, sponsoring an event, volunteering through Days of Caring, or providing valuable leadership through service on our Board of Directors or strategic partnerships.   

In our reciprocal capacity, United Way is vital to our business community. Our programs and initiatives ensure a stable and educated workforce, providing essential financial resources to employees, and essential supportive services and engagement opportunities for individuals and families.   

Not many organizations can boast more than 100 years of service. United Way’s symbiotic relationship with the Tucson Metro Chamber lays a solid path for our future in Tucson and Southern Arizona. Congratulations, Tucson Metro Chamber on your 125 years here where we love to live. We look forward to serving with you for centuries to come.  

CLICK HERE to read the entire digital edition of the 2022 Chamber Edge: The Legacy Issue