Frequently Asked Questions

WHO DIRECTS UNITED WAY?
United Way is volunteer-driven, and is directed by a local, all-volunteer Board of Directors.

WHAT IS A UNITED WAY COMMUNITY PARTNER?
A United Way Community Partner is a non-profit health and human service agency that provides programs and services that achieve meaningful and measurable results. United Way Community Partners must be registered as non-profit organizations in Elkhart County and show evidence of sound management practices, including an annual financial audit. United Way invests in agency programs and services that meet community-level objectives or core foundation services.

WHO DECIDES HOW MY DONATION IS USED?
United Way allocations are conducted by volunteers in Elkhart County from all walks of life. Funding decisions are based on community needs and results achieved by programs receiving United Way support. Funded programs are reviewed annually to ensure desired results are being achieved and allocated funds are being used effectively. United Way staff members do not make funding decisions.

I DON’T LIKE ONE OF THE COMMUNITY IMPACT PARTNERS, HOW CAN I STILL GIVE?
All United Way funded agencies provide valuable services to the community. Endorsements are based on the programs and services provided, not popularity. Trained volunteers visit and evaluate United Way funded agencies throughout the year, and funds are allocated based on their findings. However, if you feel strongly about a particular service area, you may designate your contribution to that area or the endorsed organization of your choice.

I SUPPORT A FAVORITE CHARITY OF MY OWN. WHY GIVE TO THE UNITED WAY, TOO?
We all have our favorite charities, and United Way recognizes the importance of their impact, but the problems of the community are much larger than any one agency can handle. United Way agencies offer a broad mix of programs and services to meet the diverse needs of our total community.

DOES MY MONEY GO AS HANDOUTS TO PEOPLE WHO REFUSE TO HELP THEMSELVES?
No. One of the advantages of giving to United Way is the assurance to you that campaign dollars are invested in programs that strive to help people solve their problems and become self sufficient.

WHY SHOULD I GIVE? I NEVER USE THESE SERVICES.
As community members, we need to work together to make our community stronger. The impact of your individual investment is multiplied by United Way’s ability to draw together expertise, knowledge and resources from businesses, government, schools, volunteers, and nonprofits to focus on identifying and solving problems in our community.

MY BROTHER NEEDED HELP FROM A UNITED WAY AGENCY BUT DIDN’T GET IT.
No individual or family is turned away deliberately. Usually when people are unable to receive help from a non-profit organization, it is because limited funds necessitate long waiting lists or because the organization does not offer the specific services individuals or families are seeking.

WHY AM I ASKED TO GIVE TO UNITED WAY IN MY WORKPLACE?
United Way has always enjoyed a strong partnership with the business community. Organizations that host a workplace campaign understand that we all share a responsibility for the people and neighbors where we live, work and raise our families. Our annual workplace campaign inspires thousands of volunteer hours that contribute to real and lasting progress throughout the community.

WHAT IS UNITED WAY OF ELKHART COUNTY’S OVERHEAD?
Overhead is equal to the administrative and fundraising expenses divided by unrestricted revenue. United Way of Elkhart County’s overhead has consistently been approximately 18%, which compares favorably with the accepted amount of 35% or less as suggested by the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance Standards for Charitable Accountability.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I INVEST?
No one can tell you how much to invest. Only you can decide. United Way respects your right to choose what you give. Many people invest one hour’s pay per month.

I CAN ONLY AFFORD A SMALL GIFT.
No gift is too “small.” Every dollar counts. Small gifts really add up. For example: Giving just $3 weekly via payroll deduction (half the price of one venti Starbucks per week) adds up to $156 per year. And, when thousands of “small” gifts are added together, they make a tremendous impact.

HOW MUCH OF MY CONTRIBUTION ACTUALLY REACHES THE PROGRAMS SUPPORTED BY THE UNITED WAY OF ELKHART COUNTY?
82 cents of each dollar contributed to United Way of Elkhart County goes directly to local programs and services—far more efficient than most other non-profit organizations.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF GIVING TO THE UNITED WAY?
Time spent on fundraising by agency personnel is time taken away from the agency’s mission and from serving its clients. Thanks to the monthly checks received from United Way, agencies are able to concentrate their efforts on improving programs and more effectively serving clients.

WHY SHOULD I GIVE IF MY SPOUSE/PARTNER ALREADY GIVES?
We encourage each spouse/partner to participate in his/her employer’s United Way workplace campaign. The combined total of both gifts may qualify you for leadership giving recognition.

CAN I DESIGNATE MY GIFT?
Though you have the opportunity to designate your gift to 501(c )3 health and human service organizations, including other United Ways, please consider giving all or part of your gift to the Community Impact Fund.

ARE ALL UNITED WAYS THE SAME?
There are approximately 1,350 United Way organizations across the country. United Ways exist in their respective cities and towns to build community partnerships and leverage resources to create plans for long-lasting community change. Though United Ways share a logo and have similar missions, each United Way organization is independently incorporated and is lead by local staff and volunteers. The work of each United Way is determined by its community’s needs.

I AM ALWAYS BEING ASKED TO GIVE.
United Way asks for funds just once each year—through the annual Pledge Campaign. Your one gift—pledged just once each year—helps make an impact all year long. However, we encourage companies to conduct year-round awareness activities to show United Way is doing more in the community than just raising money. Your gift to United Way changes lives every day of the year.

ARE LABOR AND MANAGEMENT BEHIND UNITED WAY?
Yes, labor organizations work hand-in-hand with management to make United Way the largest single voluntary effort in the nation. Several Union groups officially support the annual campaign with volunteer help and funds.

DOES UNITED WAY SELL OR TRADE LIST INFORMATION OF ITS DONORS?
No. United Way maintains its own database of supporters and will under no circumstances sell or trade this information to any individual or organization, public or private.

HOW IS UNITED WAY AUDITED?
All United Way financially affairs are subject to an annual audit conducted by an independent public accounting firm. This audit is conducted according to strict standards, which have been developed for all not-for-profit organizations.