1. What is United Way? United Way is a locally incorporated, nonprofit organization that is the single largest non-governmental funder of health and human services in our community. United Way dollars support more than twenty (20) health and human service programs addressing community problems in Hardin County.
2. Why do people give to United Way? Quite simply, most people give to help others. In a workplace survey, this reason was mentioned three times more often than any other. They also give because they know a gift through United Way’s Community Care Fund has the added value of the citizens’ review in process. Through this process, each agency is evaluated annually by knowledgeable volunteers who recommend allocation of funds based on a wide variety of factors. Those factors include responsiveness to community needs, service quality impact, client satisfaction, and their financial condition.
3. Who are the volunteer United Way board members? They are your neighbors, friends and co-workers.
4. How does United Way decide who gets my money? How do I know my money is going to make a difference?
The Board of Directors decides unless you designate your money to go to a specific agency that we support. Every United Way funded program must meet high standards of quality and efficiency. At the end of each annual campaign volunteers from all walks of life study the needs of the community and determine where your gift, and theirs, can do the most good. They review budgets, conduct on- site visits to the agencies and monitor programs to assure high quality. As donors to United Way of Hardin County themselves, they to want to be convinced that their donation changes lives. You can help, you can call the United Way office at 419-675-1860 to donate or volunteer your time.
5. What kind of standards are United Way agencies held to? Each agency funded by the United Way of Hardin County must:
6. I never use United Way services, so why should I give? You never know when you, a member of your family or a neighbor may need a United Way service. Job loss, illness, loss of a loved one, family problems associated with growing up and growing old know no boundaries. Your gift helps ensure that United Way services are available when they are needed. Anyone who has been involved in scouting, protected by a life guard or experienced a disaster has been served by a United Way program.
7 When my employer has its United Way drive, and is not located in Hardin County, how can I make sure my donation goes to Hardin County’s United Way? Just mark Hardin County on your payroll deduction form. We do the same for residents of other counties who work in Hardin County. It makes sense to support the agencies where employees and their families live. Feel free to call our office if you have any questions. The number is 419-675-1860.
8. What is the advantage of a payroll deduction gift verses a one- time contribution? The payroll deduction benefits that United Way offers allows for convenient giving on an installment basis in any amount. Often larger gifts are possible because giving is incremental rather than all at once.
9. Can I designate my donation to a specific United Way agency? Yes. United Way recognizes that some donors would like to direct their gift to a specific agency listed in the United Way brochure. This is provided as a customer service. Funds directed in this manner are sent to each agency along with their United Way allocation.
10. I always receive solicitations from other charities and organizations, so why should I give to United Way? United Way invests your donation in more well-managed programs that change lives and strengthen families than any other organization in the community. Giving to United Way enables you to support a broad range of human services programs with one contribution. If you are giving through work, the convenience of payroll deduction allows you to spread your payments over the course of an entire year.
11. Isn’t United Way just another charity? Most charities have a single cause for which they seek funding. United Way supports a wide variety of causes. We not only help people with the problems you are most concerned about, but also assess community needs and work with businesses and community groups to improve existing services and create new ones.
12. Why do agencies still have fund raisers when they are funded by the United Way? United Way of Hardin County funds programs provided by nonprofit health and human service agencies. United Way usually funds a portion necessary for these programs. Agencies must continue to raise funds from various other sources to support their ongoing activities.
13. If my employer does not offer payroll deduction for United Way and I didn’t get a letter requesting a donation, how can I donate to United Way? Either call the United Way office at 419-675-1860 or click the Give Now button at the bottom of this page.
14. Is giving to United Way voluntary? Yes! Giving to United Way is a personal decision and should be strictly voluntary. United Way prefers that donors give from their heart and that coercion is unacceptable when donating. Education about how United Way Programs are making a difference in our community is the best way to encourage contributions.
15. How is United Way accountable? United Way’s own operating budget and distribution of funds are to be audited by a Certified Public Accountant.
16. Is United Way a local or national organization? While we are affiliated with a national service and training organization, United Way of Hardin County is a local, autonomous organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. While each United Way must meet basic organizational standards, each is separated and independent from others United Ways in the country.
2. Why do people give to United Way? Quite simply, most people give to help others. In a workplace survey, this reason was mentioned three times more often than any other. They also give because they know a gift through United Way’s Community Care Fund has the added value of the citizens’ review in process. Through this process, each agency is evaluated annually by knowledgeable volunteers who recommend allocation of funds based on a wide variety of factors. Those factors include responsiveness to community needs, service quality impact, client satisfaction, and their financial condition.
3. Who are the volunteer United Way board members? They are your neighbors, friends and co-workers.
- Darlene Foreman, Executive Director
- Madelyn Lowery, President
- Dan Marshman, Vice President
- Beth McKinley, Treasurer
- Merleen Barnes, Past President
- Heather Blue
- Kara Brown
- Katrina Hughes Collins
- Brad Ellis
- Linda Farnic
- Linda Garmon
- Phyllis Griffith
- Debra Grimm
- Kris Hastings
- Aaron Hatem
- Richard Katterjohn
- Judi Ludwig
- Jack McBride
- Nicolle Merkel
- Jennifer Nelson
- Eric Rudasill
4. How does United Way decide who gets my money? How do I know my money is going to make a difference?
The Board of Directors decides unless you designate your money to go to a specific agency that we support. Every United Way funded program must meet high standards of quality and efficiency. At the end of each annual campaign volunteers from all walks of life study the needs of the community and determine where your gift, and theirs, can do the most good. They review budgets, conduct on- site visits to the agencies and monitor programs to assure high quality. As donors to United Way of Hardin County themselves, they to want to be convinced that their donation changes lives. You can help, you can call the United Way office at 419-675-1860 to donate or volunteer your time.
5. What kind of standards are United Way agencies held to? Each agency funded by the United Way of Hardin County must:
- Be recognized by the IRS as a 501©3 organization
- Be governed by a volunteer board
- Provide programs that address an identified need in our community
- Be audited annually
- Annually present their budget, program and projected results to a panel of community volunteers
- Operate at a reasonable cost
6. I never use United Way services, so why should I give? You never know when you, a member of your family or a neighbor may need a United Way service. Job loss, illness, loss of a loved one, family problems associated with growing up and growing old know no boundaries. Your gift helps ensure that United Way services are available when they are needed. Anyone who has been involved in scouting, protected by a life guard or experienced a disaster has been served by a United Way program.
7 When my employer has its United Way drive, and is not located in Hardin County, how can I make sure my donation goes to Hardin County’s United Way? Just mark Hardin County on your payroll deduction form. We do the same for residents of other counties who work in Hardin County. It makes sense to support the agencies where employees and their families live. Feel free to call our office if you have any questions. The number is 419-675-1860.
8. What is the advantage of a payroll deduction gift verses a one- time contribution? The payroll deduction benefits that United Way offers allows for convenient giving on an installment basis in any amount. Often larger gifts are possible because giving is incremental rather than all at once.
9. Can I designate my donation to a specific United Way agency? Yes. United Way recognizes that some donors would like to direct their gift to a specific agency listed in the United Way brochure. This is provided as a customer service. Funds directed in this manner are sent to each agency along with their United Way allocation.
10. I always receive solicitations from other charities and organizations, so why should I give to United Way? United Way invests your donation in more well-managed programs that change lives and strengthen families than any other organization in the community. Giving to United Way enables you to support a broad range of human services programs with one contribution. If you are giving through work, the convenience of payroll deduction allows you to spread your payments over the course of an entire year.
11. Isn’t United Way just another charity? Most charities have a single cause for which they seek funding. United Way supports a wide variety of causes. We not only help people with the problems you are most concerned about, but also assess community needs and work with businesses and community groups to improve existing services and create new ones.
12. Why do agencies still have fund raisers when they are funded by the United Way? United Way of Hardin County funds programs provided by nonprofit health and human service agencies. United Way usually funds a portion necessary for these programs. Agencies must continue to raise funds from various other sources to support their ongoing activities.
13. If my employer does not offer payroll deduction for United Way and I didn’t get a letter requesting a donation, how can I donate to United Way? Either call the United Way office at 419-675-1860 or click the Give Now button at the bottom of this page.
14. Is giving to United Way voluntary? Yes! Giving to United Way is a personal decision and should be strictly voluntary. United Way prefers that donors give from their heart and that coercion is unacceptable when donating. Education about how United Way Programs are making a difference in our community is the best way to encourage contributions.
15. How is United Way accountable? United Way’s own operating budget and distribution of funds are to be audited by a Certified Public Accountant.
16. Is United Way a local or national organization? While we are affiliated with a national service and training organization, United Way of Hardin County is a local, autonomous organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. While each United Way must meet basic organizational standards, each is separated and independent from others United Ways in the country.