History
The first United Way in Plainview was started in 1963 named United Fund of Plainview. After a few years, support from the community waned and the organization folded. Later, in 1975, concerned business people, who were over worked by being involved in numerous fund raising campaigns to support human service agencies in our community, met to determine if a reorganization of United Way would be a viable alternative. They decided it would be a welcomed change to be able to raise money to provide needed services in our community without multiple fund raising drives. Thus, Plainview Area United Way was born.
Since 1975 the United Way has been able to raise in excess of nine million dollars to support valuable services in Plainview. Through the United Way, volunteers have been victorious in meeting a tremendous number of needs in our area touching the lives of people of every age, race and economic level. Plainview Area United Way represents to the donor that the annual campaign is the opportunity to make one pledge to support all agencies listed as members. The United Way campaign is of paramount importance because it provides funds for the participation agencies and has proven to be the most cost-effective way to raise funds. Plainview Area United Way is an autonomous organization governed by a 45 member board of directors of local volunteers. The most important thing to understand about Plainview Area United Way is that it is "home owned and operated." The people who give the money also decide how it will be spent through the budget committee process. Our mission is to provide financial support to organizations representing justifiable needs for our community...to "help those who need help." Each United Way agency undergoes a thorough review and is required to meet specific standards.
In addition, our relationship to United Way of America and United Way of Texas is on a volunteer basis only. We choose to belong to these trade associations in order to receive benefits that enhance our ability to provide for local needs. Some of the services we receive for our dues are as follows:
Use of highly recognized trade mark name and symbol.

Training opportunities to help us gain skills in fund raising.

Access to the successful National Corporate Leadership program - cultivation of national companies from the top down. This cultivation filters down to the local United Way campaign level thus producing more money for our member agencies.

Assistance in involving United Ways in national coalitions to protect the interest of non-profits in all areas but especially in the governmental process by giving us a unified voice.
National marketing and promotion through brand name identity and advertising by the National Football League - the longest running public service campaign ever.

We feel these services are needed to free us to focus on our community knowing some very important matters are being handled on our behalf.