In 1934, a committee was established to organize pertinent agencies into a Community Chest. The committee agreed that the Community Chest would not proceed unless at least ten agencies joined the program. The Community Chest selected a board of directors that would be responsible for Joliet's first joint campaign, with a goal of $64,487.50. It was a few years before the goal was reached, but the Community Chest proved itself worthy to everyone involved.

Over the years, the Community Chest added new agencies to its roster including the Peter Claver Mission, The Safety Council, The Dunbar Center, The Social Service Exchange, The Catholic Charities & Home Bureau, The Branch Y, The Family Service, The Fresh-Air Camp, The Will County 4-H Girls, and the U.S.O. By 1940 the Community Chest's budget for 13 agencies was $93,350 and, by 1941, $101,900 for 14 agencies. The Community Chest emerged as one of the strongest organizations in the community and continued to serve its citizens well into the 1960s.

The United Crusade of Will County was formed on May 18, 1963. It preceded a year of work by a steering committee to facilitate the combining of fund raising activities of many health, welfare, and youth groups. This organization brought all community health, welfare, educational, social, and recreational agencies under a common agreement for raising funds. One campaign would insure adequate financing for participating agencies, the wiser use of funds, and better utilization of volunteer fund raisers.

United Way of Will County was formed on September 17, 1976, by merging the United Crusade of Will County and Will County Citizens United. It was formed to meet the needed changes in administrative policy and to assure the broadest possible participation for raising funds and meeting the needs of the people in the area. In 1976, the United Way of Will County's campaign included 29 agencies and raised over one million dollars for 1977 allocations, an 18% increase over the previous year. Currently, 46 agencies are in the United Way of Will County's membership, and its goal for the 2009 Campaign is $3,985,001.

Throughout the history of Will County, its citizens have shown caring and compassionate hearts. From the Community Chest to the United Crusade to United Way, Will County has shown an ability to expand its services and to reinvent itself again and again, all for the benefit of those in need.