History
Our name is new. Our work is not.
We were originally incorporated in 1963 as the United Fund of Washington County, and in 2023, we went through a reorganization that resulted in two stand-alone nonprofits, United Way of Southwest Virginia and EO. You can read more about that transformation here.
You may know us for the Ignite Career Expo, VQB5, Ready Regions Southwest, or the Rural Summit, to name a few. While our name is new, our work is not. We've been building programs and initiatives under the guidance of numerous volunteers, community members, and business leaders who have served on our Board of Directors and supported our work over the last 60 years. We honor and treasure that legacy, even as we step boldly into the future.
What Does "EO" Mean?
EO is Latin for “go”, which represents how we work. We are driven by action. We challenge the status quo, turning big ideas into solutions that increase the quality of life within our community.
EO is also the abbreviation for Endless Opportunity, our hope for the region. We work hard to ensure everyone in our region has the opportunities needed to thrive.
Looking to the Future
Today, EO remains committed to helping communities thrive because this is our home, and we believe that between problems and potential lies endless opportunities.
We hope you'll join us.