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Historical Highlights
Funds 21 agencies
Organized since 1962
Volunteer run: Locally incorporated, has its own board and is completely independent
Funds stay local: Funds are raised for local services, according to assessed needs and priorities
Low Cost: Community Volunteers and efficient staff help keep the cost of administration & funding at a low 15% of the total amount raised. This is far below the recommended guideline of national groups who monitor these kinds of expenses.
Funds to local 501(c)(3): Each agency is an approved, independent nonprofit organization
United Way Name Change
2002 brought the most significant change to the agency since its beginning. Due to national accountability rules instituted to provide financial oversight for national firms, Jackson County United Fund became a member of United Way of American and became Jackson County United Way.
While the name changed, the organization did not. All local dollars are managed by a local board of directors and all decisions are made at the local level. All local donors can be assured their pledges are working in Jackson County, serving Jackson County programs.
United Fund in a New Millennium
Although JACSY served the United Fund well, the year 2000 brought a new "look" and slogan. "You Give. You Get" accompanied by a new logo started the new millennium for the Jackson County United Fund.
One of the unique features of the drive was the formation of the Merit and Booster Clubs. Merit contributors are individuals who pledge 1/10 of 1% of the goal, and Booster Club contributors pledge 1/20 of 1%. Later a Pacesetter Club with pledges of 1/2 the amount of the Booster pledge, and in 1998, a Pacesetter Club which is double the Merit pledge, were added. There are also the 1% contributors made up of companies who pledge at least 1% of the goal each year. These categories have produced continual increases from some 300 individuals and several companies.
Early in our program, employee solicitation was initiated in most of our major industries. Now most industrial plants and larger business firms are already involved in the program, and their solicitation totals increase each year as more employees take advantage of the payroll deduction plan.
The first drive goal in 1962 was $69,700 and we were able to raise $85,000. Since that time we have been successful in providing our agencies their budget needs. Only recently have agencies added additional fundraisers to increase their funding support.
A Humble Beginning
The Jackson County United Fund was founded in 1962 by a group of concerned citizens who wanted to find an easier, and more efficient, way to help the social agencies in our county.
The corporation was organized following many months of planning, and research, by individuals who were members of the Seymour Chamber of Commerce. They, in turn, drew into the group other people from throughout the county to form the first Board of Directors for which Don Bollinger was elected chairman.
The first Kickoff Dinner was held at the Elks Club with the Seymour Rotary Club hosting the event. George Boas served as the first Drive Chairman, assisted by vice chairmen Arthur Kaufman and Clifford Osterman. There were eleven social agencies involved the first year, most of which are still in the group: Girls Club, Boys Club, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Mental Health, Council for Retarded, Goodwill, United Cerebral Palsy and the Owls Nest.
The mascot "JACSY" was introduced at the first drive and stood for the slogan "Jackson County Serving You." He was a familiar figure and readily recognized when the fall campaigns began. An annual school contest for grades 1-6 produced a new slogan for the next year's drive.
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