To live better, we must
LIVE UNITED
There are more than 200,000 people who make their homes in Hall County and over 50% of those individuals are not financially stable. At United Way of Hall County we know that if families can’t make ends meet, they can’t prepare for the future. When children succeed in school, families earn a stable income and more people have access to quality health and human services - we all win.
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Our Mission
United Way of Hall County unites people, organizations and resource to improve lives in our community.
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Our Vision
A community where all reach their potential, are healthy and achieve self-sufficiency.
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Who We Serve
We serve Hall County, GA residents who are in or at risk of financial instability and non-profits aligned with our investment priorities.
Our History
In 1948, a group of community leaders stepped up to create an organization called the Community Chest, an organization that in 1972 became known as United Way of Hall County. That first campaign 60 years ago was a rousing success – raising $17,000. It didn't take long for the Community Chest to rise from its humble beginnings. In 1960, just 12 years after it started, the Community Chest campaign topped $100,000 for the first time. And it's been growing ever since. More importantly, though, United Way of Hall County has been able to make a difference in the lives of thousands of individuals and families. Starting with groups like Red Cross and The Salvation Army, United Way has helped dozens of organizations over its 75 year history – agencies that touch all areas of our community.
Today, United Way of Hall County is the largest private funding source of health and human services in Hall County, but the value of United Way does not stop there. Beyond simply providing resources for needs, United Way is making a tangible impact by uniting the people, organizations and resources within our community to build a stronger, safer and healthier Hall County.
Our Investment Priorities
Meet Our Team
2026 Board of directors
Tom Calkins
Managing Partner/Attorney
Hulsey, Oliver & Mahar, LLP
Kevin Cash
Line Foreman
Jackson EMC, Gainesville Operations
Nikki Chandler
VP, Existing Industry
Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce
Priscilla Collins
Deputy Superintendent
Gainesville City School System
sarah crowe
Communications and Strategic Engagement
Manager, Hall County Government
ashley davis
Chief Operations Officer
Lawson Air Conditioning and Plumbing, Inc.
noah evans
Operations Specialist
Rushton, LLC
tommy howard
President/CEO
The Norton Agency
charlie hawkins
SVP/Partner
Norton Commercial & Acreage Group, LLC
tommy howard
President/CEO
The Norton Agency
Brooke Kalinauskas
Vice President of Public Relations and Community Development, Conditioned Air Systems
John Kueven
Chief Operating Officer
Northeast Georgia Health System
bryan lackey
City Manager
City of Gainesville
melissa nolan
Human Resources Director
The Harris Products Group/A Lincoln Electric Company
lee rogers
President, realprotect,
a member of Legacy Risk Solutions, LLC
beau sheppard
SVP, Government Banking
Public Finance/Funds , Ameris Bank
Jake Smith, Ph.D.
VP of Food Safety and Quality Assurance
Gold Creek Foods, LLC
jason smith
Major
Hall County Sheriff’s Office
Melissa Sutulovich
McKinney-Vento Program Coordinator
Hall County Schools
lane walberg
President & CEO
Georgia Mountains YMCA
matthew waters
Commercial Lender
United Community Bank
erin williamson
Senior Account Manager
Forum Communications, Inc.
doug whitley
Community Volunteer
carter vaverek
District Manager
Publix Supermarkets, Inc.
Jessica dudley, Ex Officio
President & Chief Professional Officer
United Way of Hall County