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United Way of Central Alabama, Inc.
3600 8th Avenue South

P.O. Box 320189
Birmingham, AL 35232-0189
Phone: (205) 251-5131
Fax: (205) 323-8730

United Way of Central Alabama History

United Way of Central Alabama, Inc., formerly The Birmingham Community Chest, was organized in 1923 with 31 agencies and a goal of $450,000. Even in 1929, the year of the stock market crash, the goal was met and more than half a million dollars was raised - a remarkable amount, considering the economic conditions. In 1943, during World War II, the Birmingham Community Chest campaign raised more than $1 million for the first time. In 1956, it changed its name to the United Appeal. Two years later, the $2 million milestone was passed.


In 1969, the local organization was invited into neighboring Shelby County, and in 1970, agencies in Walker County were asked to be included as well. That year, more than $4 million was raised. In January 1985, the legal name was changed to the United Way-Community Chest of Central Alabama, Inc. In 1992, the name was changed to United Way of Central Alabama, Inc.

Throughout its history, United Way has not changed its basic purpose - to increase the organized capacity of people to care for one another and to improve their community.

 

VISION
Build a great community by bringing people together to help others.

 

MISSION
To increase the organized capacity of people to care for one another
and to improve their community.

 

VALUES

Helping People

Accountability

Efficiency

Excellence

Voluntary Giving

Integrity & Fairness

About US

United Way Leadership

 

2010 Chairman of the Board

George Lynn

  • Co-Chair of the 2006 United Way Campaign, setting a new record of $34.8 million raised.
  • Co-Chair of the 2002 Alexis de Tocqueville campaign.
  • One of the founding partners of the law firm of Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P. C. (in 1984).
  • Served as Managing Partner of the firm for seven years.
  • Specializes in antitrust and complex commercial litigation and is a former Chairman of the Antitrust and Business Torts Section of the Alabama State Bar.
  • Graduate of Princeton University and the University of Virginia School of Law.
  • Between college and law school, served for three years as an officer in the United States Navy, including a year with the river boat command in Vietnam.
  • In addition to work with the United Way, George’s other civic and community activities have included, among other things, serving as:
  • Chairman of the State of Alabama Ballet.
  • Member of the Alabama Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
  • President of Alabama Princeton Alumni Association.
  • Member of the Board of Directors of the Birmingham Rotary Club.

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    President and CEO

    Drew Langloh

    Drew Langloh has dedicated his career to the mission of serving the underserved through the United Way movement. This Arlington, Virginia native believes United Way is a ministry of service to others—its work is not only to help those in need but to help volunteers and donors fulfill their service needs by helping others.

     

    With his degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina, at Greensboro, Drew joined the United Way movement in Greensboro, NC. In 1991, he moved to Birmingham as VP Resource Development for United Way of Central Alabama and completed his MBA at Samford University. He left Birmingham for Baltimore in 1999 to become the Senior Vice President, Resource Development and Marketing for United Way of Central Maryland and in 2004, became President and Chief Professional Officer, United Way of Delaware.

     

    He returned to Birmingham in 2008 as President, with a vision to elevate UWCA to a top model for making lasting changes to complex problems. He feels today’s problems have become so complex and deeply rooted that a different approach is needed. To solve today’s problems, he believes it will take non profit agencies, municipalities, corporations, foundations, academic and faith communities working together with a common focus.

     

    He is a servant leader-- involved in many other community organizations including: Board of Directors of the Birmingham Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Leadership Birmingham, Leadership Alabama, Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, Children’s Hospital Committee for the Future, The Junior League Advisory Board and United Way’s Worldwide Professional Council.

     

    United Way of Central Alabama is among the top twenty United Ways in the country in total revenue. It has just successfully completed another fundraising campaign, its largest ever, in the toughest year ever, to raise $37,270,908 million dollars for the programs and agencies it funds. Throughout his career, Langloh has helped raise over $500 million for charity.

     

    Drew and his wife Anne Lynn live in Birmingham with their three children. He and his family are active members of the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham.