|
United Way of Adair County |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
|
|
WHAT IS THE UNITED WAY? It’s an organization of agencies who serve the needs of the community by applying the goals of self help in health, welfare and youth guidance services. One campaign each year keeps the cost of raising funds low so you can be assured most of every dollar goes directly to services.
WHO RUNS THE UNITED WAY? You do! The United Way is a voluntary organization run by a Board of Directors who work without pay. Our United Way has one full-time paid employee. Each contributor is a member of the United Way. Do you want to see some changes?? Get involved.
WHY SUPPORT YOUTH GUIDANCE SERVICES? It’s better to make good citizens than to repair the effects of neglect. Not only is it less expensive, but it makes our community a safer place to live. United Way funds make services less expensive to those who can afford to pay and available to those who cannot afford to pay.
“I HAVE A FAVORITE AGENCY” or “I DON’T LIKE . . . .AGENCY” Don’t forget that all the agencies have met very high standards and the United Way is trying to meet the needs of the total community. You may specify the agency you want to give to on the pledge card.
WHY DO SOME AGENCIES GET MORE FUNDS THAN OTHERS? Volunteer review committees spend many hours assessing agency programs and financial needs before arriving at a final and fair allocation.
WHO PAYS FOR UNITED WAY MEETINGS AND LUNCHEONS? The United Way does NOT pay for any meals. Either the individual pays for his or her own meal or community-minded business firms sponsor these as a public service.
WHY DOESN’T THE UNITED WAY INCLUDE ALL ORGANIZATIONS? The United Way maintains an open door policy toward all qualified health and welfare not-for-profit agencies. Some organizations, because of their policy, or by their own choice, decide not to join. We cannot force them to join. We offer a Grant program where not-for-profit agencies may apply for a one-time grant to support a need.
I DON’T LIVE IN KIRKSVILLE. WHY SHOULD I GIVE? You may not live in Kirksville, but you work here and are a part of the community. Also, the agencies serve children and adults from the surrounding communities as well. You don’t have to be a citizen of Adair County to benefit from United Way services.
IS THERE A GREAT DEAL OF DUPLICATION AMONG AGENCIES? No. To be admitted to the United Way, an agency must perform a unique service and meet standards that will not permit duplication.
CAMPAIGN COSTS ARE TOO HIGH! Administrative expense is 17.5%, Drive expense is around 2.2%, United Way of America Membership is 1%, and our reserve and unpaid pledges is 2.51%. We conduct the campaign to keep expenses as low as possible.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I CAN’T PAY MY PLEDGE? Circumstances sometimes bring about unforeseen hardships. When you are out of work, your pledge payments stop automatically if you are on payroll deduction. If you are billed directly, you pay when and if you can.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I GIVE? How much you pledge is an individual decision. Payroll deduction makes it easy to give. A few cents a day is all it takes. A Fair Share giver is one that gives one hour of pay per month for one year as an hourly paid employee or 1% of annual salary as a salaried employee.
WHY SHOULD I GIVE TO UNITED WAY INSTEAD OF INDIVIDUAL AGENCIES? No single agency can meet all community needs. Volunteers spend a great deal of time planning, and it takes the cooperation of the entire community to get the most out of the contributors’ dollars. Many agencies do not have the resources available to conduct a large campaign.
HOW CAN I GET SERVICE? If you or someone you know needs service, telephone one of the participating agencies. If you do not know which one to call, then telephone the United Way office at (660)665-1924. You will be directed to the proper agency for help.
ARE UNITED WAY GIFTS TAX DEDUCTIBLE? Yes, they are for both individuals and corporations.
WHO IS HELPED BY THE UNITED WAY? You are! The help may be indirect – such as youth services at a reduced cost and a nicer and safer community. Or the help may be direct. United Way agencies offer hundreds of services. It’s YOUR United Way. Our thirteen agencies have touched the lives of over 20,000 people or 80% of the population of 24,977 in Adair County.
WHAT IS UNITED WAY OF AMERICA AND WHY BE A MEMBER? United Way of America (UWA) is the national service and training center supporting member United Ways by helping them pursue dual strategies of adding value to the community and conducting cost-effective, donor-oriented fundraising to increase financial resources. In 2004, nearly 1,400 United Way organizations were members of UWA. United Way of America is governed, as are local United Ways, by a volunteer board. UWA’s mission is to respond to, support and serve local United Way member organizations to help increase the organized capacity of people to care for one another.
Our cost to be a member of United Way of America is 1% of the total amount pledged at campaign time. From this, we receive a national advertising and promotion program, a partnership with the National Football League, training for United Way professionals and volunteers, support to national companies that want to cultivate a year-round relationship with United Ways, a national database for several types of information including fundraising and fund-distribution statistics as well as measuring and demonstrating impact in all activities undertaken, a national network allowing United Ways to share best practices and other information, and fair-share credits to attend many different training workshops.