About Our Mission

Who We Are

A volunteer-led community fund serving the Valley region since 1960.

Our Story

60 Years of Quiet Service in the Valley Alabama Georgia Region

“We don’t run programs. We fund the people who do.”

The Valley United Fund (VUF) has been a cornerstone of local philanthropy for over 60 years. Formed in 1960, it was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with a specific focus on the Greater Valley Area, which includes West Point, Georgia, and the surrounding Alabama communities of Lanett, LaFayette, and Valley.

The organization was born from a desire to consolidate community fundraising into a single, efficient annual campaign. Rather than local charities independently soliciting funds throughout the year, the VUF serves as a “Community Chest”, a central reservoir where local businesses and residents can contribute, knowing their money will be distributed to vetted, impactful agencies.

Throughout its history, the Valley United Found has remained a volunteer-driven foundation. It operates with low overhead to ensure the vast majority of every dollar raised goes directly to grants for organizations like the Interfaith Food Closet, Circle of Care, and Valley Haven School.

60+

Years of Service

100%

Volunteer Led

8

Partner Organizations

Our Process

A Simple, Transparent Model

Everything we do follows a clear four-step process designed for accountability and community trust.

1

Gather

Individuals and businesses contribute to a shared community fund through our annual campaign. Giving can happen through payroll deduction, one-time gifts, or corporate partnerships.

Vetting

Our volunteer board reviews partner organizations annually, evaluating their programs, leadership, and impact. Only organizations that meet our standards receive funding.

Distribute

Funds are granted directly to local nonprofits serving Valley residents. No unnecessary overhead. No layers of administration.

Report

We publish our financials and grant distributions annually. Transparency is not optional — it’s foundational to the trust our community places in us.

What Is a United Appeal Fund?

A Community-Based Model for Giving

A simple system designed to make giving easier and more effective.

A United Appeal Fund — sometimes called a federated fund — is a collective giving model where a single organization raises charitable contributions on behalf of multiple vetted nonprofits in a defined geographic community.

Rather than each nonprofit running its own separate fundraising campaign, a united appeal pools community support into one coordinated effort — reducing donor fatigue, eliminating duplication, and ensuring that smaller organizations with less fundraising capacity still receive meaningful support.

Valley United Fund has operated on this model since 1960. It works because the Valley community trusts us to make good decisions and we take that trust seriously in everything we do.

One donation reaches multiple organizations. Donors give once and support an entire ecosystem of local nonprofits without managing multiple relationships or transactions.

Allocation decisions are made by volunteer community members — not distant boards or national headquarters. People who live and work in the Valley decide where Valley dollars go.

Every organization we fund is reviewed annually. Financial records are public. We publish full disclosure reports so the community can verify that every dollar is working as promised.

Board of Directors

Volunteer Leadership

Valley United Fund is entirely volunteer-led. No executive salaries. No paid staff. Every person listed below gives their time because they believe in this community.

Michael Lowe Weiss, President

Candice Robbins, Secretary

Sandra Bagley, Treasurer

Jarquez Mccullough, Board Member

O’Neal Shaw, Board Member

Chris McChargue, Board Member

Financial Transparency

A History of Local Impact

For decades, Valley United Fund has helped sustain the organizations that serve this community.

Valley United Fund’s Tax Documents are available through Candid for public review.