Today, as part of Heart of Indiana United Way—a merged organization that brought together United Way of Madison County with United Way of Delaware, Henry, and Randolph Counties—we proudly carry forward this legacy. Together, we are celebrating 100 years of collective impact, rooted in the founding of United Way of Delaware, Henry, and Randolph Counties a century ago.

United Way of Madison County began locally in 1938, when the Anderson Community Chest was formed to address the community’s pressing needs. By 1959, the organization evolved into the United Fund of Madison County, marking a new era of collaboration to serve the community more effectively. At its inaugural meeting on May 25, 1959, at the Anderson YMCA, Herman G. Riggs of Delco Remy Division was elected president, joined by leaders from local businesses such as Anderson Banking Company, Guide Lamp, and Coca-Cola Bottling. Two women, Mrs. Walter R. Bagot and Mrs. Robert M. Wagner, also served on the board. The name United Way of Madison County was adopted in 1973, and dedicated executive directors, including Mack Hixon, Gerard Cerny, Michael Businger, Bill Pitts and Nancy Vaughan, guided the organization’s growth.

Over the years impactful initiatives were launched, such as Born Learning to support early childhood development, the Community Access Network (CAN) to connect individuals with basic services, and the Volunteer Action Center and RSVP to mobilize volunteers and match them with meaningful opportunities. These programs laid the foundation for the organization’s evolving focus. Today, Heart of Indiana United Way is proud to lead current efforts like the Covering Kids & Families Coalition to increase access to healthcare, the THRIVE Network to provide one-on-one coaching for financial stability, and Read & Achieve, which helps children read on grade level to set them on a pathway to success.

In 2021, a merger with United Way of Delaware, Henry, and Randolph Counties created Heart of Indiana United Way, combining resources to maximize impact. Today, we focus on helping children thrive, empowering families to achieve financial security, and ensuring access to health services. Last year, we raised over $2 million, impacting 34,556 lives.

As we celebrate our 100th anniversary, we reflect on the visionary leaders and dedicated volunteers who shaped our past while looking ahead to a bright future. Stay tuned for details about our upcoming anniversary celebrations—we invite the community to join us in honoring this milestone and shaping the next chapter together.

Here in the Heart of Indiana, United Way transforms lives every single day—thanks to you.