History

United Way of the Desert has been serving residents of the Coachella Valley for more than 70 years. Prior to 1972, the Coachella Valley is two separate and independent United Ways, United Way of Coachella Valley and the United Fund of the Desert Communities, merged to become United Way of the Desert.

In 1972, the volunteer leaders of the two United Ways formed what is known today as the UNITED WAY OF THE DESERT which encompasses the entire Coachella Valley. United Way of the Desert services the cities of Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio and Coachella and the unincorporated area from the Banning Pass to the Salton Sea. The population base is more than 410,000 people.

In 2007, United Way of the Desert expanded its service area to include the Morongo Basin including the 29 Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. Funds raised in the Morongo Basin Area will be used to support human and health care needs in the Morongo Basin.