How is United Way different from other nonprofit organizations?
United Way exists for one reason - to help us come together as one community to identify and address the issues that affect all of us. Those issues, like making sure children start school ready to learn and helping families become self-sufficient, cross lines of race, gender, geography and faith, and can only be addressed with collective focus and action.

Why choose the United Way Community Impact Fund?
The Community Impact Fund is like a "war chest" our community builds to address the issues our community says matter most. It is the only giving option that allows you to join with tens of thousands of others to focus our resources where we can have the greatest impact.

Where does the money go?
Hundreds of United Way volunteers invest your Community Impact Fund contributions in local programs that are proved to make our community stronger and safer and help people live better lives. Those programs include after-school and mentoring activities that keep children safe and productive when they are not in school, job and life skills training to make people more employment-ready, help for people with basic needs and more.

Can I give directly to my favorite agency?
It is possible to direct your gift to one or more agencies that receive United Way funding or to another United Way in the country. You may also choose to "omit" an agency, meaning that organization will receive none of your gift. Because United Way is in the "business" of community impact, not fundraising for agencies, we cannot help you earmark your gift to other organizations.

What else does United Way do besides fund agencies?
United Way does "whatever it takes" to help our community focus and get results on important human issues. While United Way does raise and invest dollars, we also help people volunteer, lend their professional expertise, donate household and office items and advocate on behalf of issues. United Way's Project Blueprint program trains and places minorities on nonprofit boards. Through technical assistance and Gifts In Kind, United Way helps nonprofits operate more effectively and efficiently.

How do people get help from United Way?
United Way supports more than 120 programs throughout Summit County that help people every day. United Way also brings innovative programs to the community such as Born Learning.

How much of the money raised by United Way is used for administrative purposes?
About fifteen cents of every dollar raised by our United Way is used for fundraising and administration - making it one of the lowest overhead costs of any nonprofit in the nation. For that reason, the National Charities Information Board rates our United Way "excellent" in putting resources to work. United Way can be this efficient because community support keeps costs to a bare minimum - including extensive volunteer leadership, executives "loaned" by companies, public service advertising donations and more.

Our employees and their families are struggling. How can we ask them to give?
Time and again, some of the most generous givers are those who themselves have struggled and needed a helping hand from our community. Everyone should be given an opportunity to express caring through charitable giving, to enjoy the emotional reward that comes from knowing her or she has helped our community become safer and stronger.

Do any United Way agencies perform abortions?
No!  Abortion is not funded through United Way of Summit County. United Way supports Planned Parenthood, which provides education, contraceptive and gynecological services for women in need. They do not provide abortion services, nor do they make recommendations for abortion.

How do the troubles at other United Ways and other nonprofits affect our United Way?
They do not. Each one of the 1,400 United Ways in the country is autonomous and managed by local volunteers. In Summit County, hundreds of volunteer leaders from all walks of life are involved in and oversee every detail of United Way operations, from fundraising to investments to financial management.

How does an organization apply to receive funding from United Way?
Eligible 501-C-3 organizations providing health and human services to Summit County residents may apply for funding from United Way of Summit County through the annual Development Fund Process. Development Fund processes requests for new or expanded programs of affiliates and non-affiliates and for requests for new affiliates (ongoing affiliation with UWSC).
Eligible non-profits may also apply for funding through the Priorities Fund process which addresses specific services/community issues identified in each of UWs three Impact areas. Requests for funding may be directed to Lois Foster in our Community Impact Division at 330.643.5509 or email lfoster@uwsummit.org.


Have another question? Want an answer?  Email mgaffney@uwsummit.org