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Q: How successful was the 2006-2007 campaign?
A: Last year, United Way of Pierce County celebrated a record-breaking fundraising campaign of $10.6 million and successfully met the Community Challenge Match.
Q: What did United Way of Pierce County do with the money?
A: Thanks to the generosity of individual donors and businesses who responded to the match, United Way has:
Sparked the work of a broad community coalition to ensure that every child in our community enters school ready to learn.
- Launched the Housing Demonstration Trust Fund which will invest in projects to create more affordable homes for families in Pierce County.
- Enabled our community’s emergency food system to acquire the equipment and trucks needed to bring fresh fruits, vegetables and other perishable goods to more families in need.
- Provided greater support to local nonprofit programs that respond to the critical needs of thousands of families living in Pierce County.
Q: We already give to community groups. Why should we also give to United Way?
A: We applaud your support of our community. Your donations to other community groups can be made through United Way, allowing you to take advantage of payroll deduction. This method gives those organizations the added benefit of consistent cash flow throughout the entire year.
In addition, giving through United Way’s Community Solutions Fund is the best way to make measurable improvements in the lives of people in Pierce County. By investing in the Community Solutions Fund, your gift strengthens the safety net of services that impacts the most people in Pierce County. United Way partners with 60 local agencies that provide help through more than 126 programs in Pierce County.
Q: Who runs United Way?
A: United Way of Pierce County is a local, volunteer-driven organization. Our current board of directors averages 37 members from many different areas of the community including labor, the military, nonprofits and corporations. All the decisions made at United Way of Pierce County are approved by the volunteers serving on our board.
Q: Who is responsible for spending my donated dollar?
A: United Way's Investment Panel Volunteers have the important job of studying the human service needs, strengths and resources in Pierce County. These local volunteers review applications for funding, visit programs and research issues to determine which services best meet the needs of people in our community. Who decides? Local volunteers, people just like you.
Q: How does UWPC make sure our dollars are really working? What are the standards that need to be met?
A: All programs funded through the United Way of Pierce County Investment process are required to document and report annually on pre-agreed upon outcomes. All Impact investments also have agreed upon quantifiable outcomes.
Q: How much of my donated dollar goes to administration and how much goes directly to community programs?
A: United Way of Pierce County is one of the most cost effective organizations in the country. Eighty-five cents of every dollar is invested in programs addressing critical local needs in Pierce County. Current operating costs average approximately 15%. These costs are calculated based on United Way standards as reported on the Federal 990 Form. Operating costs help our staff work with hundreds of companies and in over 600 worksites across Pierce County and more than 20,000 donors to raise and manage $12 million dollars in gifts and in-kind support. Our operating costs compare favorably to the accepted amount of 35% or less determined by the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance Standards of Charitable Accountability.
Q: If I don’t like a particular agency, can I choose not to have my dollars go to that agency?
A: Yes. You will find a place to list any agency you would like to exclude on your pledge form.
Q: Why should I give to the Community Solutions Fund and not to a specific agency?
A: Giving through the Community Solutions Fund is the best way to make measurable improvements in the lives of people in Pierce County. By investing in the Community Solutions Fund, your gift protects the safety net of programs that impacts the most people in Pierce County. United Way partners with 65 local agencies that provide help to individuals and families through more than 120 programs in Pierce County.
Q: I’m on a tight budget. How can I afford to give?
A: Every gift counts. Even a modest pledge per pay period can help provide vital services to people in need in our community. By giving though payroll deduction, you can spread your gift throughout the year. Your gift, combined with that of your friends, neighbors and coworkers, can truly make a difference in our community.
In addition, you can give to your community in other ways like volunteering your time or donating goods through the Gifts In Kind program.
Q: Why should I support organizations of which I disapprove?
A: United Way honors your choice to support an individual organization. You can designate your gift to any nonprofit 501(c)3 organization of your choice. You also have the opportunity to request that your contribution not be given to a particular agency even if you designate through our Community Solutions Fund.
Q: If I designate my gift to a certain agency, does that reduce their other funds from United Way by that amount?
A: No. Designated and undesignated funds are distributed separately. Volunteers make decisions on the Community Solutions Fund only, not on the designated gifts.
Q: How can my program become funded through
United Way of Pierce County?
A: UWPC provides support to programs that provide social services
within our Solution Areas of Food, Shelter, & Emergency
Services, Youth & Families, Health & Wellness, Seniors
& People with Disabilities, and Job Training. We announce
our Investment cycles in the fall prior to when applications
are due. Applications are made available at our training
sessions and are reviewed the following spring. For more
information about our funding process, please contact Pam
Duncan Pierce, Director of Community Assessment and Investment at pamd@uwpc.org or 597-7491.
Q: What is your funding criteria?
A: If your agency is interested in applying for funding through the Community Safety Net Investment process, please be aware that the following minimum criteria must be met:
The agency must:
be recognized as a State of Washington charity and have been operating for at least the past two years as such
have an empoyer tax tax identification number (EIN)
be willing to conduct annual UWPC workplace campaign
The program must:
Align with one of Community Safety Net Solution Areas (Food, Shelter & Emergency Services; Youth & Families; Health & Wellness; Seniors & People with Disabilities; Job Training)
Must be able to communicate via e-mail
For more information about applying for funding, please contact Pam Duncan Pierce, Director of Community Assessment and Investment at pamd@uwpc.org or 597-7491. |
