1. Does United Way encourage employees to coerce people into giving?
No! We don't want to pressure anyone to give to United Way. Instead, the goal of our campaign is to educate and inform you on the value of United Way. Giving to United Way is a personal decision and is strictly voluntary. United Way hopes people are contributing because of its role in building a community that makes all homes safe, builds strong neighborhoods, reduces crimes committed by kids and much more, while supporting an effective network of agencies that gets results. No one should be coerced into contributing. Should anyone feel pressured into contributing at any time during the campaign, he or she should call United Way directly at 277-6530 immediately.
2. Why should I give to United Way when I never use any agency's service?
You never know when you, a member of your family, or a neighbor may need a United Way service. Job loss, loss of a loved one, illness, disabilities, family problems, and the problems of growing up or growing old. Your gift helps ensure that United Way services are available when they're needed.
3. How much of my contribution goes to United Way?
Over 85 cents of every dollar raised in United Way's campaign is distributed to member agencies for programs. In 2000, United Way's overhead was 16%. This compares favorably with Better Business Bureau guidelines of 30% and the National Information Bureau Standard of 40%.
4. Why should I give to United Way rather than to specific charities?
United Way is a leader in bringing the community together to get results in education, employment, health, housing, safety and neighborhood development. While its understandable that a person might have a specific interest in one or more agencies, it's important to remember the advantage of giving to United Way- it offer people an opportunity to give a gift for a number of varied services, all of which are important to a healthy community. The fact that 36 member agencies are receiving funding from United Way this year indicates there are many services people require. Allocation volunteers make tough decisions about how contributed dollars should be distributed in critical needs areas. This process ensures your dollars will be spent in the most efficient manner possible to address the most important human issues in our community.
6. How is United Way Accountable?
United Way's own operating budget is audited by an independent accounting firm and is carefully scrutinized by a panel of local community volunteers and United Way's board of directors. (an audited financial statement, prepared by American Express Tax & Business Services is kept on file and is available for public inspection at all times.)
7. Can I specify which United Way agency receives my contribution?
Yes! United Way will honor designations to a specific member agency. You may also designate your gift to Community Fund which benefits the entire human service system or to a focused area to support a specific cause of importance to you. There is space on the United Way combined pledge card for your designation.
9. I know a friend who didn't get help when it was needed, why should I give?
I'm sorry to hear that. Could you give me specific information on this incident? I will contact the United Way and try and get some answers for you. United Way holds its agencies accountable for providing quality services when and where they are needed to help Lorain County residents. However, usually when people are unable to receive immediate help, it is because of limited resources or greater demand causing a waiting list. In almost all cases, United Way agencies will attempt to refer people to other agencies that may be in a better position to provide immediate care.
10. Tell me more about how you support Family Planning Services of Lorain County.
Family Planning Services of Lorain County provides the following services ¡V most of which are funded in part by United Way:
- Pelvic exams and Pap smears which help in the detection of cervical cancer
- Breast exams which help in the detection of breast cancer
- Colposcopy and cryotherapy for women with abnormal Pap smears
- Diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases
- HIV testing and counseling
- Education and supplies of birth control methods
- Education for women interested in becoming pregnant
- Health education in our medical facilities and in community settings
The mission of Family Planning Services of Lorain County is to strengthen the community by promoting the health of women and families. The major emphasis of the organization is one of prevention.
Family Planning Services prevents abortions by providing birth control methods to women and men.
They do not recognize abortion as a method of contraception, nor do they encourage or promote abortion.
Family Planning Services does not perform abortions.
It is a Family Planning Services policy to make information available to any pregnant woman about all options legally available to her in a non-judgmental, non-directive manner.
United Way of Greater Lorain County does not and never has funded any abortion activities. There are no organizations in Lorain County that perform abortion services.
11. Who runs the United Way?
United Way is a local, autonomous organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. Policies, activities, procedures and programs we support are determined right here at home. The community volunteers who lead United Way come from all walks of life and reflect the cultural diversity of our area. United Way's daily operations are handled by a small but knowledgeable staff which works closely with volunteers at all levels.
13. What does the statement that "United Way is volunteer driven" mean?
United Way of Greater Lorain County is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide needed human services throughout the county. We are governed by a volunteer board of directors who are representative of the Lorain County community. The board is assisted by hundreds of community minded individuals who volunteer to assist with United Way activities and working committees. This volunteer effort raises the funds each year that support the services funded by United Way. As regards to the funds raised, United Way enlists the time and talents of other community volunteers who determine how funds should get distributed. This group also monitors use of those funds and the results achieved. Additional volunteers assist on a range of committees such as marketing, long range planning, finance, self evaluation and others.
It is because of volunteer dedication and commitment that United Way of Greater Lorain County can carry out its work of caring for those in need and be accountable to the donors who make United Way's work possible.
14. What needs or causes are supported by United Way and how is that determined?
United Way supports those human service needs and issues, which are identified as being important by the public. Every five years, in an extensive county wide assessment, United Way asks citizens in the county to identify these needs in detail. This input process is thorough and open so as to assure that raised funds are going to subjects which are meaningful and positively impact the community. The results of the most recent 2005 assessment and the needs which were identified can be found on United Way's website in the section titled 2005 Impact Report.
The needs identified in that Report are those to which United Way directs its funding and are the ones for which agencies request funding in written proposals. Fund distribution volunteers thoroughly review these requests for funds, visit programs in operation, speak with program staff and their board members, and make funding recommendations to the United Way Board on what programs can best address those issues.
15. Once funds are allocated to programs, what is United Way's role?
Once funding has begun and services are in operation, United Way volunteers monitor results. United Way considers programs which receive funds partners and our partnership as a "collaboration in caring". United Way believes that genuine collaborations are the only and best way to address such subjects as hunger, homelessness, family violence, and the host of needs identified by the community.
16. Where can I see what programs are funded by United Way and in what amounts?
The Community Impact section provides the exact dollars given to an agency program from the pool of undesignated funds. Also, the bottom of that report has the amount of designated funds pledged to programs which are separate from those that are determined by volunteers and the United Way Board.
18. Does United Way of Greater Lorain County allow pledges to be designated?
Yes. A donor may direct all or a portion of their gift to support a specific not-for-profit 501(c) (3) health and human service agency or another United Way. Capital campaigns, cultural, political, environmental, educational, or religious organizations are not eligible to receive designations. Donor designated funds are currently assessed a 6% fee.
Gifts may revert to the United Way of Greater Lorain County community fund if the designated agency can not be located or does not comply with the USA Patriot Act.
19. Where can United Way’s financial information be found?
United Way's most recent audited annual financial report can be found on United Way's website. The site also exhibits the past six years of Annual Reports which detail financial and funding data, along with descriptions of program services and details regarding major administrative topics. United Way's IRS 990 Form can be found by going to the website and searching for our agency name.
20. What is United Way of Greater Lorain County’s overhead expense?
Historically, our overhead expense has been between 15 and 18%. Our current overhead expense is 17.6%. Of this 8.9% is administration, 8.7 is fund raising.This means that 82.4 cents out of every dollar raised in campaign by United Way gets directed to services. This expense percentage compares very favorably to standards set by national and government watch dog groups that monitor such activities.
21. How is the financial activity of the United Way overseen?
United Way has written policies and procedures that govern all financial activity. These are in keeping with the accounting standards that govern the non profit world and those established by governmental entities.
United Way has a formal Finance Committee composed of CPAs and individuals having financial expertise. It meets monthly to review all financial matters. United Way, also, has an Audit Committee composed of CPAs and a Self Evaluation and Assessment Committee comprised of community representatives.In addition, United Way of Greater Lorain County must annually provide evidence of maintaining the high financial standards set by United Way of America so as to be certified as a United Way entity.
22. Besides raising and distributing funds, what else does United Way do?
United Way staff is integrally involved in matters related to our mission of bringing help and hope to the lives of those in need. We work closely with the State of Ohio United Way to advocate to the Ohio State Legislature on behalf of the Lorain County community and its people in need.
United Way serves as a member and in a leadership capacity on countywide initiatives and task forces on homelessness, hunger, health care for the uninsured, leadership, educational excellence, youth violence, regional collaboration, health care, consumer welfare, lifeline services for telephone subscribers, and other health and human service issues.
