The United Community Services of Greater Milwaukee had its beginning in 1909, when the Provisional Charity Committee was organized in an effort to co-ordinate various philanthropic work in the city. In the same year, this committee sponsored a survey, conducted by Francis H. McLean of the Russell Sage Foundation, to review Milwaukee's health and welfare situation. The McLean survey resulted in the formation of the Central Council of Philanthropies on Dec. 14, 1909. Its purpose was “to provide a center for communication among the various charitable and philanthropic agencies, the churches and business associations of Milwaukee; to foster harmonious co-operation among them, to study social problems, to promote social and sanitary reforms and to assist in activities for the general welfare.”
In 1913, the organization changed its name to the Central Council of Social Agencies, and in 1916 the first federated fund-raising campaign for local health and welfare agencies was established. The campaign was called the Central Budget of Philanthropies and became the Community Fund in 1923. The Council and Fund merged in 1934. During World War II the UCS was directly involved with the County Defense Council and organized the United Community and War Fund, Incorporated, generally known as the Community War Chest. In 1948, it was reorganized into the Community Welfare Council of Milwaukee County. In 1959, it became the Community Welfare Council of Greater Milwaukee, and in 1960, the United Community Services of Greater Milwaukee.
Throughout these years, the council sought to establish needed health, welfare, and recreation services, both public and private, and to eliminate those no longer needed. Among the agencies and services urged into being by the council were the Legal Aid Society, Urban League, Central Agency for the Chronically Ill, the Home for Women at Taycheedah, Milwaukee's Social Centers, and full-time juvenile judges. It also helped develop professional training for social workers.
