Abstract
United Ways are local community-based fund raising and planning organizations that exist in most cities in the United States and Canada. The effectiveness of these organizations in fund raising for community agency services, varies from commu nity to community. This variation occurs even when the fund raising practices utilized by the organizations are similar. This article reports the results of a study that examined United Way organizations seeking to identify variables related to the governing boards that were unique to the organizations that achieved high fund raising results. The study sample consisted of four United Ways located in the mid-west. The results of the study indicated that certain board leadership variables were present in successful United Ways that were not present, or present to a lesser degree in less successful United Ways. These variables included attendance at board meetings, composition of the board, and length of residence in the community. Although the sample was limited to United Way organization the results of the study can have significance for any type of community-based nonprofit organiza tion.
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