What is United Way Services?
United Way, a local, independent nonprofit organization, is
the largest private-sector funder of health and human services
in our community. United Way Services of Geauga County raises
and allocates funds to support 24 health and human service programs
of 15 agencies throughout Geauga County
What does United Way Services do besides raise
and allocate funds?
United Way Services focuses on improving our community's quality of life. Its strength comes from working together with local businesses, government and nonprofits, making a greater difference than any one organization can when working alone.
- Linkages to Community Resources: United Way Services helps support the InfoLine, a free information and referral line that helps people in need find assistance
- Community Problem Solving: United Way serves as a focal point for a system of services to meet human care needs. United Way volunteers work as catalysts to pull key parties together from other human care organizations, foundations and the government to spearhead efforts to address critical problems ranging from teen pregnancy to care for the elderly.
- New Programs: United Way maintains an open door policy with regard to application for funding. Every year, health and human service agencies are welcome to submit requests, which are considered by the volunteers. Programs that address critical issues in the community and that are not already being met through existing funded programs are given top priority.
Who runs United Way?
- Volunteers provide oversight to all aspects of United Way Services' operations, including human resources, finance, strategic planning, marketing, fund raising and fund distribution.
- 27 volunteers serve on the Board of Directors and the
Fund Distribution Committee.
- Hundreds of volunteers--local people from all walks of
life who serve without pay--raise and distribute United
Way funds.
- United Way Services staff members provide support to volunteers in carrying out policies and helping to manage the day-to-day operations of the organization.
Who is helped by my United Way contribution?
Money raised locally stays in our community, supporting a system
of 15 health and human service agencies, helping in ways that
no single agency can. Each year, funds from the annual United
Way campaign support mulitple health and human service programs
that meet the needs of 1 in 4 Geauga County Residents. Anyone's
life can change in a heartbeat, and your gift helps to strengthen
that safety net of services provided by United Way Services.
What is United Way of America?
United Way of America (UWA), based in Alexandria, Virginia, is the national membership organization for more than 1,400 independent local United Way organizations across the country. Each United Way is autonomous, governed by its own local board of directors. Our United Way is a member of the national organization, and we can access national research, advertising, training and many other services essential to our operation.
How much of my contribution actually goes to people who need help?
Because of United Way's volunteer involvement, the greatest part of your dollar possible, nearly 89%, goes directly to help people in need in our community. With current operating costs at 11.7%, contributors to Geauga County United Way Services can take pride in the fact that our total administrative costs continue to be much lower than the national United Way average and far less than half of the 50% figure considered acceptable for charities as recommended by the Better Business Bureau.
Who decides how my contribution is spent?
Knowledgeable volunteers make these decisions through the fund distribution process, the point through which dollars contributed meet community needs. It begins with an analysis of current operating budgets, cost-effectiveness and program efficiency, which shows how well agencies are delivering services to meet pressing community needs.
After the panel members review this information they visit the agencies, review agencies' requests and make the difficult decisions about how to invest your contributions to maximize the impact on critical needs in the community.
How are United Way partner agencies accountable to
United Way contributors?
Each agency must...
- continue to provide quality services in order to receive ongoing funding.
- have its own volunteer board of directors.
- submit a certified audit annually.
- provide its budget and program information for the annual volunteer Citizen Review process by fund distribution volunteers.
Why should I give to United Way rather than to a specific agency?
- All United Way partner agencies recognize the importance of the big picture-that United Way links people in need with the entire network of health and human care services in Geauga County that United Way contributions make possible. In addition, partner agencies can leverage United Way funds to receive grant money from other potential funding sources.
- The network of United Way programs and services can provide a meal and emergency shelter for a homeless family, refer them to counseling, help the adults find work, place the children in day care, and eventually help the family get on their feet in a home of their own. When you give to United Way, you help our partner agencies work together to find community solutions for human care issues that affect us all.
- Volunteers in the community who participate on the Fund Distribution Committee provide a special quality control to make sure your gift is wisely invested. Please note that when a contribution is designated to a non-partner agency, the contribution bypasses United Way Services' review process.
I would like to give, but how can I afford to?
Even if the amount of your contribution is small, it is greatly appreciated. There is no minimum pledge for contributions to Community-Wide Needs, and each contribution makes a difference in someone's life. The most convenient way to contriubte to your community is through payroll deduction, if you can become a part of a United Way campaign where you work.
