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.
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.
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| Celebrating 70 years of helping our community 1938-2008 |