The La Crosse Community Chest was first proposed by the Citizens Committee on January 31, 1932. The proposal underwent a six month study, and recommendations were sent to welfare organizations of the community. On June 8, 1932, the Community Chest plan was adopted by seven agencies. The Boy Scouts and Y.W.C.A. activities become dependent upon the Community Chest for funding in 1933.

In 1949, a modified version of the articles of incorporation for the Community Chest and Welfare Federation of La Crosse was approved by the citizen’s steering committee. On January 2, 1950, The La Crosse Community Chest and Welfare Federation was formed to protect residents from constant and unrelated appeals, assure better planning and less duplication of services, guarantee effective use of funds through the annual review of the budget, administrative costs, and conserve time and energy of volunteer workers . Seven agencies benefited from the 1949-1950 campaign, including the Boy Scouts, Family Welfare Association, Girl Scouts, La Crosse Home for Children, Salvation Army, YWCA and YMCA.

By 1955, 19 agencies were affiliated with the Community Chest, including: La Crosse Chapter, Wisconsin Mental Health Association, La Crosse Nursery School Association, Confidential Exchange, La Crosse Council Girl Scouts, Gateway Area Boy Scouts, YMCA, YWCA, Wisconsin Hearth Association, Lutheran Welfare Society, Family Welfare Association, Salvation Army, Catholic Welfare Bureau, St. Michael’s Home for Children, Catholic Welfare Family Service, St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged, La Crosse Home for Children, Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin, Sister Kenny Foundation, and the United Defense Fund (including the USO). Three new agencies were added in the 1956 campaign and include Hygiene Association, the United Service Organizations, and the National Probation and Parole Association.

During the 1965 campaign, the La Crosse Community Chest and Welfare Federation was renamed the La Crosse United Fund. In 1974 another name change was administered, as the La Crosse United Fund became the United Way of the La Crosse Area, Inc. By 1979, new qualifications for the United Way funding were implemented and advised agencies that they must be non-profit and tax exempt, plus show evidence of their need in their community. The United Way of La Crosse underwent an operational reconstruction in 1997 by funding specific programs instead of the agencies themselves.

Sometime after 1999, the United Way of La Crosse was renamed the Great Rivers United Way. As of 2012, this organization remains active.