It began as part of Missionary efforts of the Women's Auxiliary to the Board of Mission, authorized by General Convention in 1871. Julia Emery, secretary to the Women's Auxiliary, and Ida Soule, who counted the missionary offering of the 1886 Triennial meeting of Women, inspired women to pray and give coins with the idea of building a new church in Anvik, Alaska as well as sending Miss Lisa Lowell as a missionary to Japan. These women dreamed of supporting mission work. It is now our time to dream of how we can make a difference with the message of thanksgiving and self-giving, and always with grateful hearts. The United Thank Offering is still a ministry of the Episcopal Church that provides a way for men, women and children to give daily thanks to God with a sense of gratitude.
Every coin is used to support grants for mission and ministry.
Every year, the total offering is between two and a half and three million dollars all of which is used for projects at home and abroad. Many deserving and important ministries cannot be recognized. More than one hundred grants are awarded each year. The carefully controlled expenses of the elected and volunteer committee are supported by interest from designated trust funds. The surplus has been used for grants also.