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Lives change when a community cares.
As part of this community, each and every one of us share the responsibility of improving the quality of life in our community. United Way of Cumberland County (UWCC) provides important funding that assists people who need a helping hand, and EVERY dollar collected counts.
Q: How is United Way different from other nonprofit organizations? A: United Way is unique in our ability to mobilize resources, individuals, and organizations in order to combine our efforts to make a greater impact on the critical issues our community faces every day. By building partnerships and leveraging resources, we can make a measurable difference in creating a community that is strong, self-sufficient, and prosperous. We work with the most successful and cost-efficient human service programs in our area to build a brighter future for all of us.
Q: Why should I give to the United Way of Cumberland County? A: UWCC represents a legacy of 67 years of community service in Cumberland County. Your contribution is an investment in the community in which you live. And when you invest in UWCC, you can be confident that your investment will support the most powerful strategies and effective organizations in order to acheive long lasting, meaningful results. Together we can get results that no one can accomplish alone.
Q: Why should I give to United Way's Community Care Fund rather than directly to the agencies? A: When you give to United Way's Community Care Fund, you are supporting 80 different programs and services, all of which are important. It is through the collaboration of these programs and services that allows us to create lasting change in people's lives here in our community. The most effective gift is one that brings the community together to synergistically address the needs of our community. Because of United Way's consolidated fund-raising efforts, more money is actually getting to people who need your help. United Way volunteers also make sure that the money raised is used for needs that are present in our community. Volunteers study our community's need and establish a priority system based on findings. Dollars are then distributed according to priorities so funds go where they are needed most.
Q: Where does the money go? A: Local United Way volunteers invest your contribution to fund the very best programs that are effectively and cost-efficiently working hard to safeguard the strength and security of our community. On any given day, your donation may be used to give a child a head start in life, a meal delivered to a homebound senior, shelter for an abuse victim, or an emergency service for a burning home. When you give to UWCC, you are touching the lives of your neighbors in need.
Q: My spouse gives at the office. Why should I give too? A: Each wage earner in a family is asked to contribute based on his or her own ability to give. That way each spouse can participate in his/her company's United Way campaign that goes to helping our community. With a combined gift, you may be able to become Marquis Society members as well. If the two gifts combined equal $1,000 or more, they can become members by notifying UWCC or their Employee Campaign Manager.
Q: I can only afford to give a small amount. Is it worth giving at all? A: Yes! Every donation is important. Giving in proportion to your ability gives a sense of belonging to a larger community, and of making a difference.
Q: Does UWCC support the Boy Scouts? A: Yes! United Way of Cumberland County proudly supports the valuable services provided by the local Boy Scouts Council for thousands of Cumberland County youth. United Way has a long-standing policy prohibiting discrimination on the part of United Way or it agencies and programs funded by United Way as determined by federal, state, and local laws. Boy Scouts of America, Occoneechee Council and all other United Way of Cumberland County Partner Agencies are in compliance with all laws regarding discrimination.
Q: My family and I have never been helped by an agency. Why should I contribute? A: Everyone benefits from a strong and self-sufficient community. While it is true many of the services provided by United Way-funded programs are for the poor, the hungry and those in need, there are agencies that provide other necessary community services. The character-building programs of the Boy and Girl Scouts, the family counseling services provided by Fayetteville Family Life Center and Catholic Charities, and the emergency services provided by the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army are just a few that touch a broad range of our population. In fact, 1 out of 4 people are touched by a UWCC program, so you could be helping your very own neighbor.
Q: I support a favorite charity of my own. Why give to United Way, too? A: We all have our favorite charities, but the problems of the community are much larger than any one agency can handle. United Way agencies offer a broad mix of programs and services to meet the diverse needs of our total community. The United Way campaign also helps keep individual agency fund-raising costs low.
Q: I don't like one of the agencies in the United Way package. A: All United Way agencies provide valuable services to the community. An agency's membership in United Way is based on programs and services it provides and not its popularity. Trained volunteers visit and evaluate United Way agencies throughout the year, and funds are allocated based on their findings. However, if you feel strongly about a particular service area, you may designate your contribution to a specific area or partner agency of your choice.
Q: Why do some agencies charge fees for their services? A: Many use a sliding fee scale where clients pay what they can for the services they receive. By allowing clients to pay for the services, the agencies are able to stretch their United Way dollars to serve more people.
Q: Why doesn't United Way include all organizations? A: First, not all agencies want to be a part of a single, community-wide campaign. Certain organizations have policies against joining local United Way campaigns. Second, United Way standards of financial accountability and program services are high. Some agencies would like to have the United Way seal of approval but don't quite measure up.
Q: What is United Way of Cumberland County's relationship to United Way of America? A: As a local organization, with its own board of directors, UWCC is an independent, separate organization. UWCC pays dues in exchange for services provided by United Way of America. United Way of America serves as a trade association for about 1,400 local United Ways across the country, offering support services such as training, research, national advertising, public service announcements, materials, campaign support, communications support and consultation.
Q: Are donations to United Way tax deductible? A: Yes. UWCC is a tax-exempt, charitable organization recognized under section 501(C)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, and all donations are deductible. However, if you pay $250 or more at any one time, you are required to have written substantiation of that donation before claiming it as a deduction on your tax return. United Way automatically provides substantiation on such donations at the end of the each year.
Q: Are United Way's financial records subject to outside audit? A: Yes. UWCC has an audit performed annually by an independent CPA firm. The results of the audit and the auditors report are presented to the volunteer Board of Directors for their review and approval.
Q: How can I give if I do not work in a company running a United Way drive? A: If you do not have access to UWCC through your work, you can still give by calling (910) 483-1179 or by logging on to our Web site at www.unitedway-cc.org.
Q: How much of my gift goes directly to helping people? Q: How much of each contribution is spent on administrative costs? A: Only 15 cents out of every dollar pledged covers fundraising expenses and other administrative costs. It's an investment well made when you consider that the nationally accepted maximum limits for non-profit overhead costs vary from 40 percent to 50 percent. The Philanthropic Advisory Service of the Council of Better Business Bureaus sets the maximum permissible rate for overhead costs at non-profit organizations at 50 percent. The National Charities Information Bureau sets the rate at 40 percent. |
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Volunteer LeadershipUnited Way of Cumberland County is a volunteer-driven organization, governed by a local board of directors made up of volunteers from Cumberland County. There's no way we could function without YOUR vision, focus, strategy and support. >>
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