Q: Why
should I donate to United Way?
A: Due to the incredible generosity of our community, the United Way is able to
serve nearly 10,000 of our neighbors. We fund 14 agencies in the community to
ensure that we are working for long-term solutions to our most pressing human
services issues. With your help, we can prepare children and youth to succeed,
strengthen families and help families in crisis, ensure economic
self-sufficiency for adults and families, maximize community and individual
health, and encourage self-sufficiency for seniors and people with disabilities.
Q: Where
does my United Way donation go?
A: Your money provides direct help to the areas and the people that need it
most.
The Callaway County United Way does this by working closely with service providers, government agencies, and the business community to identify health and human service problems in the community. We then develop solutions to address those problems in the most efficient ways.
To provide the best care in the most efficient way, any agency that partners with us must complete an extensive annual application to receive money. The United Way ensures that program partner agencies meet quality standards, follow guidelines, and deliver strong results.
Q: Are
donations tax-deductible?
A: Yes. Every cent you give to United Way is fully deductible. The Callaway
County United Way is recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt organization under
section 501(c)(3) to which donations qualify as tax deductible for income tax
purposes
Q: How
much of what I give is for programs?
A: The Callaway County United Way spends less than 10 cents of every dollar for
campaign and administration costs. The extensive network of volunteers, in-kind
donations and fiscal responsibility keep administrative costs down.
An independent audit of United Way's finances is conducted each year by a local accounting firm.
Q: Who
runs United Way ?
A: You do. United Way is run by volunteers who live in Callaway County. They
decide the campaign goal, which programs should receive funding, and how much
each agency should receive. They review United Way's monthly operations, and
serve on the
Board of Directors. The Callaway
County United Way has one part-time employee.
Q: Why
should I give? I never use these services.
A: You may not use any services now, but can you be sure you never will? Look at
the range of services provided by United Way program partner agencies. Most of
us, or one of our family members, will utilize at least one of them sometime in
our lives. As community members, we need to work together to make our community
stronger.
Q: How
much should I give?
A: No one can tell you how much to give. Only you can decide. United Way
respects your right to choose what you give. Many people give one hour's pay per
month. Remember, your one-time pledge will be spread to more than 14 local
programs, so please give it the consideration it deserves.
Q: What
if I can only afford a small gift?
A: No gift is too "small." Every dollar counts. Small gifts really add up. For
example: Giving just $2 weekly via payroll deduction (the price of three cans of
pop per week) adds up to $104 per year. And, when thousands of "small" gifts are
added together, they make a tremendous impact.
Q: I am
always being asked to give.
A: United Way asks for funds just once each year - through the annual campaign.
Your one gift - pledged just once each year - helps more than 200 local programs
and services. However, we encourage companies to conduct year-round awareness
activities to show the United Way is doing more in the community than just
raising money. Your gift to United Way is changing lives every day of the year.
Q: I
already bought cookies and popcorn.
A: Most United Way program partner agencies receive only a portion of their
support from the United Way. Cookie and popcorn sales or other means are
sometimes used to increase the income of those agencies.
Q: Why do
we need United Way? Isn't that why we pay taxes?
A: Government funding provides a large portion of many program partner agencies'
budgets, but government resources are becoming scarce. In addition, most federal
and state funding requires agencies to match certain percentages of the
government funding with local funds. Many agencies use United Way funding as the
local matching funds, which means your donation is maximized. Your United Way
gift helps the agencies access hundreds of thousands of state and federal
dollars.
Q: How
can I give my gift to United Way?
A: Payroll deduction is the most convenient method available for you to help
meet the needs in your community. In most cases, it's easier for people to
contribute a small amount each pay period than all at once. Other options
include: