Non-Profit Resources & Directory

The United Way

The United Way is dedicated to improving the lives of those in need by mobilizing the caring power of communities. Their vision is to build a stronger America by mobilizing communities to improve the lives of others. They have chapters all over the country and they work with those communities to help out those who have needs.

The United Way began in Denver, Colorado when a priest, two ministers and a rabbi saw the need for cooperative action to address the city's welfare problems. Funds were raised and the idea of cooperative action and mobilization was born. The organization grew and in 1973 they developed a partnership with the National Football League that raised awareness of the United Way and helped raise funds for the organization.

The United Way works to help children and youth succeed through engagement as well as strengthen and support families, improve access to health care and promoting financial stability. They work with the local volunteers to work together on these programs. They use a collaborative model to achieve success. The United Way has 1303 offices around the country and they use collaborative efforts in fund raising and in mobilizing people to work for the common good. This model has proved successful.



Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity was started in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. They had visited a working farm with a collaborative theme and they thought that this could work on a larger level. They left the trappings of success and got to work with poorer people helping them to build their own home at a minimum cost. Since then over 200,000 homes have been built under this model. Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry.

The staff at Habitat for Humanity work with people in the United State and all over the world to help them build their own home. It costs around $60,000 to build a home in the United States and around $800 to build a home in a foreign country. The future homeowner works with a hammer and nails and works with volunteers to work on the home. One of the most prominent Habitat volunteers is former United States President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn.

Habitat uses local materials to build these homes. Depending on the climate and weather, they will build a home that is appropriate to that area. Today Habitat volunteers and paid staff are located all around the world. The paid staff work with local volunteers to coordinate all the building efforts. Each future homeowner is expected to put in around 500 hours of labor and they put up $500 and also provide sweat equity. Habitat mortgages vary in length from seven to thirty years. Since it's inception, Habitat has provided homes for millions of families who would otherwise not be able to afford these homes.



The American Red Cross

The American Red Cross was established by Clara Barton on May 21, 1881 in Dansville, NY. Ms. Barton had done some volunteer work with the International Red Cross and she was determined to bring this idea of service to the United States. She wanted the American Red Cross to assist in any great national disaster and act as a Good Samaritan to those in need. Over the years, the American Red Cross has helped out at many national disasters.

Many people know the American Red Cross from their Blood Drives and they provide 44% of all donated blood. In recent years they also provide tissue services as well as plasma donations. This blood is tested thoroughly and then is used in local hospitals. During emergencies, the call will go out for people to donate blood to help the needs of others.

Recently the American Red Cross was involved in helping the people who were impacted by Hurricane Katrina. The American Red Cross has a Disaster Action Team that works with people on the local level to provide food and shelter and comfort to those impacted by natural disasters. During the Minnesota Bride Collapse, the American Red Cross was on the scene to provide comfort and support.