Mission

As the first true student run United Way in the nation, The Student United Way is committed to leadership through service and teamwork by educating, engaging, advocating, and fundraising to increase student involvement in the betterment of our FSU, Tallahassee, and Leon County community.

View our full-length opening campaign video:

History

In December 2007, Florida State University students gathered under the leadership and umbrella of Joseph and Jesse O’Shea, Juan Genao, and the United Way of the Big Bend. At this meeting, it was decided that there was an absolute need for a new organization that harnessed Florida State University's unique compassion. Thus, the Student United Way was formed, with its Board of Directors reaching out all over campus.

Over the years, United Way’s purpose has remained constant. We are dedicated to supporting the greatest variety of human service agencies in the local area and reaching people from all walks of life and income groups. Our agencies address the most prominent need areas in this community: youth development, emergency services, physical health, children’s services, senior services, family support, services to the disabled, community support, international support and substance abuse.

What We Do

Serving as a microcosm of the United Way of the Big Bend, the Student United Way strives to cover all aspects of service.

A Three Pronged Approach to Service:

Giving: To teach students to give back, to donate, and to invest in your community and in humanity.
The Student United Way is in part a fundraising organization, like all United Ways. These funds are allocated out to certain agencies and events that help others.

Advocacy: To teach students to become politically activated, to teach students of social injustice issues and promotion of equality of opportunity, and to teach students how to engage in fixing some of society's most persistent problems.

Volunteer: To teach students the importance of volunteerism and the promotion of service to others. To make service to others an integral part of being a Seminole.

 

Agencies

Service agencies become United Way members through an application and admission process which ensures programs that are unique in the way they meet community and human service needs. Affiliate agencies receive only gifts designated to them. To view our agencies, click here.

Fund Distribution

Allocation of funds is based on the decisions of the Community Investment Team, which is a trained group of more than 130 volunteers knowledgeable about the community’s needs. A panel of volunteers reviews each agency’s finances, programs, facilities, and long-range plan within the broad framework of community needs. After thorough analysis, these volunteers recommend how much money each agency program should receive. United Way guarantees absolute control of services and allocations strictly on the basis of proven local needs and priorities. Anyone in our community may volunteer to assist in the distribution of funds.