What are the advantages of giving through United Way?

It feels good!  Your gift goes to help people who really need it. It's local. Funds raised in the area stay here to address local problems. It's accountable. Volunteers decide which programs receive funds, and ensure that services are high quality and meet high priority community needs. It's efficient. Volunteers help conduct the campaign to keep costs low. It's effective. By bringing the community together, we accomplish much more than we can alone. United Way makes your caring count! It's easy. Payroll deductions make giving simple.

Should I give if I didn't get a raise?

Contributors who give according to the Giving Guide are committing to an amount based on their annual wages. If that amount does not increase, we would not expect their gifts to increase. The continuation of the gift is crucial to the continuation of vital community services.

What is the Fair Share Giving Guide:

Salaried:  Your "Fair Share represents 1% of Annual Salary, ie. $20,000 x 1% = $200.

Hourly:  Your "Fair Share" represents 1 hour of pay per month

If I volunteer, should I give?

Those who volunteer are more likely to give. They see the needs firsthand. Giving takes a number of different forms: time, talent, money. Many of the agencies could not exist if it were not for the hundreds of volunteer hours "given" each year. Keep in mind, however, that basic overhead (water, electricity, space, staff) cannot be paid with "in-kind" contributions. That is why cash contributions are also critical to the survival of community services.

Do United Way agencies charge a fee for using some services?

Yes. Almost all United Way agencies provide service on a sliding fee scale so that those who are able to pay for the services do so while those who are less able to pay are not denied services because of their financial situation. Philosophically, we believe that people value the service more if they have contributed to its support, even if it's only a token amount.

Will I ever use United Way services?

United Way funded services help everyone. It is a popular misconception that only the jobless and truly "at risk" seek help from United Way partner agencies. Working people have problems and needs too - marital problems, child care needs, alcohol and drug abuse problems, troubled teens and aging parents - and United Way services are available to all. Also, many popular recreational agencies programs receive United Way funding. Your United Way contribution helps your co-workers, your friends, your neighbors, and your family - one in four people in our community.