United Way of Central Maryland

In 1881, long before the rise of venture capital and incubators, a group of Baltimore's civic leaders saw a different kind of market inefficiency. The city's charitable landscape was a chaotic collection of individual groups, each tackling immense social problems on their own. Recognizing the need for a more coordinated approach, prominent figures including the first president of Johns Hopkins University, Daniel Coit Gilman, and Dr. Henry M. Hurd, founded the Charity Organization Society (COS) of Baltimore. Their goal was not to provide direct relief, but to create a system—a clearinghouse to investigate needs, prevent duplication of effort, and guide resources effectively. This early model was the foundational playbook. Over decades, the organization evolved from its initial role as a data-driven coordinator into a powerful fundraising entity, what many knew as the "Community Chest." This was its major strategic pivot: instead of just organizing charities, it began to fuel them through massive, community-wide campaigns. This shift consolidated fundraising and allocation, creating a centralized engine for social good in the region. Today, marking its centennial in 2025, the organization has undergone another significant transformation. It's no longer just a pass-through fundraiser. United Way of Central Maryland now operates as a direct service provider and strategic partner, focusing on the root causes of instability. It runs its own programs, such as Family Centers, and targets systemic issues by investing in housing, education, and economic advancement for the community's most vulnerable. This represents a full-circle evolution from its founding—not just organizing the market, but actively making the market for a stronger Central Maryland.