FAQs
What is United Way?
United Way is a local nonprofit organization that works to address the needs in the local community.
United Way brings people together from all sectors of the community to create lasting change in community conditions. There are 1,800 United Ways worldwide (1,200 in the United States alone) all local separate and independent organizations working to advance the common good by focusing on the building blocks for a better life – education, health and financial stability.
Who runs United Way?
United Way is governed by local volunteers who make up our Board of Directors these individuals reflect the diversity of our community. The Board is comprised of people with various areas of expertise to ensure that our United Way is operating in the most effective way to serve our community.
Where does the money go if I donate to United Way?
Our United Way is local. 98% of every dollar raised here, stays here and is invested locally in effective programs, services and initiatives that demonstrate meaningful and measurable results in our community. United Way of Hardin County is committed to the responsible stewardship of your donations.
Who decides how the money raised will be distributed?
There is an allocation committee of local volunteers from diverse backgrounds that determine how the money raised in the annual campaign will be invested in local programs and partnering agencies. Volunteers review agencies’ requests for funding each year to determine how the programs align with United Way’s goals. Then, volunteers make recommendations to the Board of Directors who ensure programs align with the United Way indicators for final approval.
How has the United Way changed?
Originally the United Way focused soley on Community Impact. The first United Way was founded in 1887 in Denver, Colorado by a priest, a rabbi, two ministers and a woman to address the city’s health and welfare needs through cooperative action. United Way was created to coordinate relief efforts, collect funds and refer people to local agencies. The concept caught on and new United Ways began forming in communities around the country. Over the years, United Way has become known as a fundraising organization. Like any business, organizations must evolve to meet the needs of their customers, and to impact issues in the local community. It was no longer enough to just raise money and distribute it to agencies. United Way of Hardin County is uniquely positioned to bring people together to change community conditions. The United Way is unique it how it handles, manages and disperses funds.
How much of the funds raised go towards administrative costs?
United Way of Hardin County is committed to responsible stewardship of your donations. Ninety eight cents of every dollar collected is invested in effective programs, services and initiatives that demonstrate meaningful and measurable results in our community. United Way’s overhead ratio is 2%, which is well below the Better Business Bureau standard of 35% for nonprofit organizations.
Why isn’t my favorite nonprofit funded by United Way?
While an agency may be doing great work, it may not have programs that align with the United Way’s community impact goals. In other cases, an agency may not meet United Way’s criteria for performance and accountability. Additionally, an agency may not have applied to be a partner agency.
United Way is a local nonprofit organization that works to address the needs in the local community.
United Way brings people together from all sectors of the community to create lasting change in community conditions. There are 1,800 United Ways worldwide (1,200 in the United States alone) all local separate and independent organizations working to advance the common good by focusing on the building blocks for a better life – education, health and financial stability.
Who runs United Way?
United Way is governed by local volunteers who make up our Board of Directors these individuals reflect the diversity of our community. The Board is comprised of people with various areas of expertise to ensure that our United Way is operating in the most effective way to serve our community.
Where does the money go if I donate to United Way?
Our United Way is local. 98% of every dollar raised here, stays here and is invested locally in effective programs, services and initiatives that demonstrate meaningful and measurable results in our community. United Way of Hardin County is committed to the responsible stewardship of your donations.
Who decides how the money raised will be distributed?
There is an allocation committee of local volunteers from diverse backgrounds that determine how the money raised in the annual campaign will be invested in local programs and partnering agencies. Volunteers review agencies’ requests for funding each year to determine how the programs align with United Way’s goals. Then, volunteers make recommendations to the Board of Directors who ensure programs align with the United Way indicators for final approval.
How has the United Way changed?
Originally the United Way focused soley on Community Impact. The first United Way was founded in 1887 in Denver, Colorado by a priest, a rabbi, two ministers and a woman to address the city’s health and welfare needs through cooperative action. United Way was created to coordinate relief efforts, collect funds and refer people to local agencies. The concept caught on and new United Ways began forming in communities around the country. Over the years, United Way has become known as a fundraising organization. Like any business, organizations must evolve to meet the needs of their customers, and to impact issues in the local community. It was no longer enough to just raise money and distribute it to agencies. United Way of Hardin County is uniquely positioned to bring people together to change community conditions. The United Way is unique it how it handles, manages and disperses funds.
How much of the funds raised go towards administrative costs?
United Way of Hardin County is committed to responsible stewardship of your donations. Ninety eight cents of every dollar collected is invested in effective programs, services and initiatives that demonstrate meaningful and measurable results in our community. United Way’s overhead ratio is 2%, which is well below the Better Business Bureau standard of 35% for nonprofit organizations.
Why isn’t my favorite nonprofit funded by United Way?
While an agency may be doing great work, it may not have programs that align with the United Way’s community impact goals. In other cases, an agency may not meet United Way’s criteria for performance and accountability. Additionally, an agency may not have applied to be a partner agency.