Q: What is United Way?

A: United Way works because it is a partnership of volunteers, donors, businesses and service providers who come together with common goals — to build strong families, help kids succeed and promote health and independence. United Way volunteers serve their communities through efficient fundraising and fund distribution in addition to building local partnerships that can multiply the impact of a donor’s gift.

Q: Are all charitable organizations supported by United Way?

A: Any federally tax-exempt 501C-3 health and human service organization may apply to become a United Way agency. Some agencies choose not to apply; others do not meet United Way requirements. Contact the United Way office for more information about how a service provider qualifies to become a United Way agency.

Q: Does my contribution stay in the community?

A: When you make a donation to your local United Way, the money stays in the community to improve the lives of local people. Less than one percent of local donations are used to purchase services and materials from United Way of America. When you give to United Way, you have the satisfaction of knowing your local dollars are working to help people in your community.

Q: Is my donation going to people who really need help?

A: When you give to the United Way you can be assured that donations are helping those with the greatest need. This is because hundreds of volunteers, with the guidance and input of the local board of directors, are involved in strategically allocating funds and monitoring participating service providers to ensure they are reaching those individuals most in need.

Q: May I choose how my gift will be designated?

A: United Way donors have two options in stating preferences. Most donors make their gift to the general United Way Community Care Fund. Local United Way volunteers and board members, who have studied the agencies to best determine how the funds should be allocated, distribute all general funds. These local volunteers review financial statements, audits, service statistics and meet with the agencies to gain a complete picture of an agency’s needs for funds from the community.

Some United Way donors choose to designate a particular agency. For these donors, United Way honors their choices and their gifts are directed according to their stated wishes. This policy is spelled out in the United Way designation policy as follows: "...a designation to a member agency will be ‘the first dollars’ that an agency will receive toward its United Way allocation. If total designations to an agency exceed the allocation volunteers recommend, the agency will receive the greater amount." To be effective and efficient in fund distribution, however, United Way requires a minimum gift of $40 per designation.