United Way of Bradley County
HOW MUCH OF MY MONEY ACTUALLY GOES TO SERVING THOSE IN
NEED?
United Way of Bradley County and our community can take pride in the fact that
only about 7 cents of every dollar pledged provides year-round administration.
United Way of Bradley County has been nationally recognized for its extremely
low fund raising and administrative costs.
I’VE NEVER BEEN HELPED BY AN AGENCY. WHY SHOULD I CONTRIBUTE?
While it is true that many of the services provided by United Way funded
programs are for the poor, the hungry and those in need, there are agencies
that provide other necessary community services. The character-building
programs of the Boy and Girl Scouts, emergency services provided by the
American Red Cross, education programs such as Kids on the Block, and health
information programs such as those at the Team Centers are examples of
services that touch a broad range of our population.
I DON’T LIKE ONE OF THE AGENCIES IN THE UNITED WAY PACKAGE. MAY
I DESIGNATE MY PLEDGE TO A SPECIFIC AGENCY?
All United Way agencies provide valuable services to the community. An
agency's membership in United Way is based on programs and services it
provides and not on its popularity. However, if you feel strongly about a
particular service you may designate your contribution to a member agency of
your choice.
WHY DO SOME AGENCIES CHARGE FEES FOR THEIR SERVICES?
United Way agencies operate without discrimination. Many use a sliding fee
scale, where clients pay what they can for the services they receive. By allowing
clients to pay for the services, the agencies are able to stretch their United Way
dollars to serve more people.
WHY DOESN’T UNITED WAY INCLUDE ALL ORGANIZATIONS?
There are two possible answers to this question. First, not all agencies want to
be a part of a single, community-wide campaign. Certain organizations have
policies against joining local United Way campaigns. Second, United Way
standards of financial accountability and program services are high. Some
agencies would like to have the United Way seal of approval but don’t quite meet
our standards. In addition, some agencies have never sought United Way
funding due to their having other types of funding available to them, such as
grants or private funding.
I SUPPORT A FAVORITE CHARITY OF MY OWN. WHY GIVE TO UNITED
WAY, TOO?
We all have our favorite charities, but the problems of the community are much
larger than any one agency can handle. The United Way agencies offer a broad
mix of programs and services to meet the diverse needs of our total community.
Plus, the United Way campaign helps keep agency fund raising costs low.
DOES UNITED WAY MONEY SUPPORT CHURCH-RELATED ACTIVITIES?
United Way of Bradley County funds agencies covering a wide range of
services. Our local United Way funds only agencies that have 501-c-3 status,
which is different from the status of most churches so, at this time, the local
United Way does not fund church-related activities. Each United Way is
separately incorporated and operated by a local Board of Directors which
established its funding priorities and standards. In other communities it is
possible that church-related activities are funded (but not the religious activities
themselves). Services by all United Way agencies are based on need,
regardless of age, sex, race, or religion.
I HAVE HEARD THAT UNITED WAY DOES OR DOESN’T FUND A SPECIFIC
PROGRAM OR SERVICE. HOW CAN I FIND OUT?
There may be some confusion as to what agencies or programs are funded
because someone has heard that a United Way funds or doesn’t fund
something. All United Ways across the country are independent, so funding
decisions for this community are made by members of this community, and are
not based on what may be funded in another part of the state or nation. United
Way of Bradley County funds only those agencies, programs and services
specified in campaign materials. If an agency is not listed in those materials, it is
not funded by United Way of Bradley County.
WHO PAYS FOR UNITED WAY MEETINGS?
The Kickoff and Annual Meetings are paid for by individual attendees or their
employer. Other campaign meetings, such as report luncheons, are funded by
civic-minded businesses and organizations that underwrite the costs, in addition
to their generous support of the United Way campaign. None of the funds raised
in the campaign are used to pay for United Way meetings.
NEED?
United Way of Bradley County and our community can take pride in the fact that
only about 7 cents of every dollar pledged provides year-round administration.
United Way of Bradley County has been nationally recognized for its extremely
low fund raising and administrative costs.
I’VE NEVER BEEN HELPED BY AN AGENCY. WHY SHOULD I CONTRIBUTE?
While it is true that many of the services provided by United Way funded
programs are for the poor, the hungry and those in need, there are agencies
that provide other necessary community services. The character-building
programs of the Boy and Girl Scouts, emergency services provided by the
American Red Cross, education programs such as Kids on the Block, and health
information programs such as those at the Team Centers are examples of
services that touch a broad range of our population.
I DON’T LIKE ONE OF THE AGENCIES IN THE UNITED WAY PACKAGE. MAY
I DESIGNATE MY PLEDGE TO A SPECIFIC AGENCY?
All United Way agencies provide valuable services to the community. An
agency's membership in United Way is based on programs and services it
provides and not on its popularity. However, if you feel strongly about a
particular service you may designate your contribution to a member agency of
your choice.
WHY DO SOME AGENCIES CHARGE FEES FOR THEIR SERVICES?
United Way agencies operate without discrimination. Many use a sliding fee
scale, where clients pay what they can for the services they receive. By allowing
clients to pay for the services, the agencies are able to stretch their United Way
dollars to serve more people.
WHY DOESN’T UNITED WAY INCLUDE ALL ORGANIZATIONS?
There are two possible answers to this question. First, not all agencies want to
be a part of a single, community-wide campaign. Certain organizations have
policies against joining local United Way campaigns. Second, United Way
standards of financial accountability and program services are high. Some
agencies would like to have the United Way seal of approval but don’t quite meet
our standards. In addition, some agencies have never sought United Way
funding due to their having other types of funding available to them, such as
grants or private funding.
I SUPPORT A FAVORITE CHARITY OF MY OWN. WHY GIVE TO UNITED
WAY, TOO?
We all have our favorite charities, but the problems of the community are much
larger than any one agency can handle. The United Way agencies offer a broad
mix of programs and services to meet the diverse needs of our total community.
Plus, the United Way campaign helps keep agency fund raising costs low.
DOES UNITED WAY MONEY SUPPORT CHURCH-RELATED ACTIVITIES?
United Way of Bradley County funds agencies covering a wide range of
services. Our local United Way funds only agencies that have 501-c-3 status,
which is different from the status of most churches so, at this time, the local
United Way does not fund church-related activities. Each United Way is
separately incorporated and operated by a local Board of Directors which
established its funding priorities and standards. In other communities it is
possible that church-related activities are funded (but not the religious activities
themselves). Services by all United Way agencies are based on need,
regardless of age, sex, race, or religion.
I HAVE HEARD THAT UNITED WAY DOES OR DOESN’T FUND A SPECIFIC
PROGRAM OR SERVICE. HOW CAN I FIND OUT?
There may be some confusion as to what agencies or programs are funded
because someone has heard that a United Way funds or doesn’t fund
something. All United Ways across the country are independent, so funding
decisions for this community are made by members of this community, and are
not based on what may be funded in another part of the state or nation. United
Way of Bradley County funds only those agencies, programs and services
specified in campaign materials. If an agency is not listed in those materials, it is
not funded by United Way of Bradley County.
WHO PAYS FOR UNITED WAY MEETINGS?
The Kickoff and Annual Meetings are paid for by individual attendees or their
employer. Other campaign meetings, such as report luncheons, are funded by
civic-minded businesses and organizations that underwrite the costs, in addition
to their generous support of the United Way campaign. None of the funds raised
in the campaign are used to pay for United Way meetings.
| Frequently Asked Questions |
| Celebrating 72 years of helping our community 1938-2010 |
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