United Way of Greater Milwaukee and United Way in Waukesha County are merging to form the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County.
Both organizations belong to United Way Worldwide, which is focused on improving education, promoting financial stability, and supporting healthy living.
The merger, which has been in discussion for more than a year, will be official on Feb. 1, 2015, and is fulfilling the request of many corporate donors and partners.
“Previously, partners such as Aurora Healthcare, Froedtert Health, GE Healthcare, Husco International, UPS and Wells Fargo Bank interacted separately with both United Ways,” United Way of Greater Milwaukee president and chief executive officer Mary Lou Young said. “By becoming one, we now offer a seamless experience for those donors.”
Young has been appointed president and CEO of the merged operation. Her counterpart in Waukesha County, Jayne Thoma, will serve as vice president of the nonprofit’s volunteer center, the Center for Community Collaboration.
Under the merger, which has been endorsed by UWW, the larger organization will retain the nonprofits’ current offices in each county. The organization will also have a footprint in Washington and Ozaukee counties, where United Way of Greater Milwaukee has historically had a presence.
The merger will not impact employees, and the organizations’ boards of directors, which are staffed voluntarily, will be restructured so that one board presides over the larger organization.
