History

HISTORY

The United Black Fund is the only Black federated human service organization in the State of Ohio. It was incorporated as a non-profit charitable organization in 1981. Signers of the Articles of Incorporation were the late Reverend Thomas E. Chapman, Roosevelt Cox, Esq. And Helen Summons.

The United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland Inc., founded in 1981 by Judge George W. White, followed the concept of the United Black Fund of America founded in 1969 in Washington D.C. by the late Dr. Calvin R. Rolark.

The concept was that one organization secured financial support for other agencies servicing the Black community. UBF of Cleveland is the outgrowth of two earlier organizations; the Negro Community Federation founded by then Councilman George W. White in the 1960s and Blacks Organized for Social Service (B.O.S.S.) founded by the late Reverend Thomas E. Chapman in the 1970s as an outreach program for his church, Avon Baptist Church, in 1982 and 1983 respectively. B.O.S.S provided funding of $15,000 and $11,000 to UBF to fulfill a goal of forming a fundraising organization that would meet unmet needs in the Black Community and subsequently voted to dissolve the B.O.S.S Organization.

An agreement to become affiliate was reached with United Way Services in 1984. Past President Dr. James R. Tanner, J. Stefan Holmes, and currently Ruby L. Terry, Executive Director, have provided leadership. (Title changed from President to Executive Director.) Board Trustee leadership (Chairman of the Board or President of the Board) has been provided by Dr. Larry Eskridge,

Honorable Judge
George W. White
Founder

Ruby L. Terry, Ronald K. Piley, Esq., Roderick H. Adams, Jr., D.D.S., and currently Bruce D. Murphy. The first five year Strategic Plan (1990-1995) funded by the Cleveland Foundation and the George Gund Foundation was developed in 1989 to chart the course of the organization through the 1990s.

The plan was fully implemented. Two key strategies resulted in achieving increased fundraising capabilities and establishing a Philanthropic Fund. The second five year Strategic Plan (1998-2003) was completed in 1997. It charts the direction for the organization to enhance performance. The Mission Statement was revised to allow for organizational growth and provided the framework to meet new challenges. Over the years, the United Black Fund has had strategic alliances; collaborations with organizations to fund specific programs or projects with

(1) The George Gund Foundation, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority and the Cleveland Foundation for the Neighbors United For Safe Youth Program (1992-1998),

(2) The Cleveland Indians and Major League Baseball for Larry Doby reviving Baseball In Inner Cities Program (1993- ongoing),

(3) The National Football League Alumni for the UBF/NFL Alumni Celebrity Golf Tournament (1993- ongoing).

(4) The Cuyahoga County Board of Mental Retardation, East Cleveland Early Childhood Center for the Autism Intervention Program for Children and Families (1999-2001).

In January 1998, the UBF Board of Trustees approved the formation of the United Black Fund Associate Board. This Board is made up of 24 young adult men and women from various professions, businesses, and careers. It provides an opportunity for them to further develop skills in leadership and non-profit board management. For UBF it is an opportunity to have an excellent resource for future Board Members. The Associate Board holds great promise for continuing the work of the United Black Fund well into this new century.