United Way

For 90 years, United Way of Miami-Dade — once known as Miami Community Chest and United Fund of Dade County — has served the community. The organization’s first campaign, a three-day fundraising push in April 1924, raised about $136,000 to support 12 local agencies. Ninety years later, In 2012-2013, total revenue reached $63 million. Early challenges for the charitable organization included the September 1926 hurricane that swept South Florida killing 113 people, followed by the stock market crash three years later. The organization has attracted some big-name donors over the years including gangster Al Capone, whose $1,000 gift was rejected, and William J. Matheson, a member of the pioneering Miami family, who bequeathed $40,000 in 1930.

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