United Way of Greater Lorain County volunteers and staff welcome opportunities to tell individuals about the needs in the community and how their contribution is helping United Way address those needs with appropriate services. Those opportunities, also, afford us a chance to answer questions people have about our operations and policies.

Here are some of the more frequently asked questions:

Q.	What does the statement that “United Way is volunteer driven” mean?
A.	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.
Q.	What needs or causes are supported by United Way and how is that determined?
A.	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.
Q.	Once funds are allocated to programs, what is United Way’s role?
A.	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.
Q.	Where can I see what programs are funded by United Way and in what amounts?
A.	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.
Q.	Is there a limit to the amount of funds that a program can receive?
A.	There is no cap on the amount of funds which a program can receive.
Q.	Does United Way of Greater Lorain County allow pledges to be designated?
A.	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.
Q.	Where can United Way’s financial information be found?
A.	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 guidestar.org website and searching for our agency name.
Q.	What is United Way of Greater Lorain County’s overhead expense?
A.	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 campaignby 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.
Q.	How is the financial activity of the United Way overseen?
A.	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.
Q.	Besides raising and distributing funds, what else does United Way do?
A.	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.

The United Way can be reached at (440) 277-6530 or (440) 324-2898.