United Way of Northwest Alabama

What is the United Way?

It is a local organization of volunteers existing to raise funds in one annual campaign to support community programs and services. Distribution of the money raised each year is determined by local citizens after carefully studying agency programs and community needs. The United Way was started by community leaders seeking to eliminate costly and unnecessary fundraising. The United Way is also involved in social planning by supporting programs efficiently, effectively, and without waste and duplication to get at the root causes and help solve problems within our community.

Why do we need the United Way? AND Doesn't the Government take care of everyone with tax dollars?

While government programs help many people, the ongoing changes on the federal and state levels leave many unmet needs. There are a number of children and adults who need local, personalized care and emergency services that the government just doesn't make possible. That's why people give. They know that if we work together, we are helping people in the local community who really need help.

Why should I give? I never use these services.

You are fortunate, but no one is immune to disaster, misfortune, or problems. Your gift will make sure these services are maintained should you need them. Also important to you is the fact that everyone benefits from a healthy community where people's needs are being met. So take a look at our list of agencies and the programs we support. Are you sure you or some member of your family has not been served by a United Way agency?

Why should I give to the United Way when I can't afford it?

There certainly are times when, for various reasons, an employee cannot afford a United Way contribution. In that case, we do not expect them to give. However, most employees can afford, and are willing to give one hour's pay per month or 1% salary for the betterment of the community in which they live and work to help those in less fortunate circumstances. Any amount you can give makes a difference in someone's life.

Are both working spouses expected to contribute?

Yes! Both husband and wife should give according to their separate incomes. The giving standard (one hour's pay per month or 1% of salary) is based upon each individual worker in our community. Each worker in a household should try to give a contribution appropriate to his/her income.

How could my individual gift make a difference?

Corporate giving can’t carry the whole load. Employees have a great deal at stake and could be the chief beneficiary. Employees also deserve the opportunity to be involved in making a difference in their community. Most donors report that they feel better because they are doing something to help others.

Shouldn’t giving be a voluntary responsibility?

Yes. The United Way asks only that employees be informed of the United Way services. When employees are informed of the many programs and agencies supported by their United Way contributions, most choose to participate. It is completely up to the individual how much they choose to give.

I use an agency and was charged a fee!

That fee you were charged pays for part of the cost of the service you received. The United Way does not fund 100% of any agency and those clients who can afford to pay are sometimes asked to do so according to their financial ability. This helps reduce the cost of service to the community and insure that United Way dollars go as far as possible for people unable to pay at all. In nearly every case, free service is provided when people cannot afford to pay.

I already buy Girl Scout cookies.

In addition to United Way allocations, agencies increase their income through other allowable fundraising activities. Traditional sale of cookies or candy not only raises income for an agency, but also teaches children the value of money and good business.

Who decides how much money each agency should have?

Community volunteers are trained to make the funding decisions. It needs to be noted that United Way of Northwest Alabama also funds programs, not simply agencies. The volunteers spend several months reviewing the program funding requests submitted by the agencies who administer the programs. Also, each agency is given the opportunity to present their program requests to the volunteers. After carefully considering the priority needs of the community, the committee makes recommendations to the United Way Board of Directors. A network of checks and balances is created by the continuous monitoring of the agencies receiving funding so that the United Way can be accountable for your contributions and funding decisions.

Why do some agencies get more than others?

Allocations to agencies are determined by the needs of the community and the programs agencies conduct to meet those needs. Both needs and programs are under constant study to insure that programs meeting priority needs are well matched with funding. Allocations are made each year on the basis of the best available information.

I know of an organization that wanted to join the United Way and was refused. Why?

The inclusion of any agency in the United Way is determined by the United Way's Admission Standards. The United Way maintains an "Open Door" policy. To be considered, an agency must (1) be performing an essential service to the residents of the area, (2) meet reasonable standards of financial responsibility and efficiency, and (3) have a managing Board of Directors which is elected and functions in a satisfactory manner without pay. Sometimes an agency may meet out criteria, yet can be refused due to duplication of services already funded or a lack of available funds.

I work for what I get. Let others do the same.

This statement reflects a misunderstanding of the United Way's purpose. Should we let the homebound sick nurse themselves? Should we let children organize and operate character-building, educational, and recreational programs? We can go on and on. Our programs are not simply charity handouts; they are services to help people who cannot help themselves. While many families use these programs, others consider it like insurance. You hope you never need these services, but their value is immeasurable if you do.

I give through my church.

That's wonderful! Most of us have an obligation to our faith, but obligations should not stop there. We also have to think of the community where we live and work. It is a responsibility to our neighbors, no matter what their faith. And remember there are numerous services provided by United Way agencies not available through religious organizations.

I live out of town. Where should I give?

There is an understanding between communities that you should give where you work. However, you do have the option to give at your workplace and designate your gift to your home community. This allows you to support the agencies working in the community you live in!

Why didn't my friend get help when he or she needed it?

If you have a complaint about a United Way agency, please contact us here. Misunderstandings sometimes arise. People needing help often do not know which way to turn. Sometimes there is no help available for a particular need. For information on which agency to turn to for a particular problem, call 211.

I don't like to be told what to give! What is a "Giving Guideline"?

The United Way does not tell people what to give, but offers a suggested guide of one hour's pay per month or 1% of annual salary. The plan is scaled according to income so the giver can be sure of giving his/her proportionate share. Only YOU can decide how much you will give, but because your United Way gift is distributed among so many different agencies, you might ask yourself if your one annual gift to the United Way equals the total you would give to each agency if they all made separate appeals.

I hear that some firms force their employees to give. How about that?

The United Way has a policy against coercion -- whether real, implied, or perceived. For this reason, the United Way believes that every employee should receive adequate explanation concerning the importance of United Way agencies' programs and services. However, under no circumstances should an employee be threatened or coerced into contributing. Giving is a personal matter and a personal decision; whether an individual gives and how much is up to the individual.

I don't have any spare cash.

Few of us could enjoy the houses or cars we have if we had to pay cash for them. A year-round pledge is a more convenient manner of contributing for year-round services. Payroll deduction is a convenient and easy way to give, but an employee has the option of contributing cash or being billed monthly for a deferred payment pledge. Some individuals even choose to place their United Way contribution on their credit or debit card to be charged when it is convenient to the donor.

How much of what I give actually reaches the agencies ... and can I designate my gift to a particular agency?

Citizens of this community established the United Way nearly 80 years ago to help eliminate the confusion and expense of separate appeals. The result has been a successful effort that channels approximately 86 cents of every dollar directly to health and human services. If you choose to designate your gift to a United Way agency, you may do so. The agency will acknowledge it.

The United Way doesn't include all drives. Why do we still have separate appeals?

Some branches of agencies are prohibited by their national policies from joining United Way campaigns. Some local agencies simply do not wish to join; others do not have programs of sufficient scope and importance to be included. The United Way's "door of membership" is open to well-managed agencies meeting real community needs and willing to cooperate to better serve the people of the community.

I don't like one of the United Way agencies, so I'm not giving at all.

All of us are not going to feel supportive of the same agency. You may have valid reasons for not wanting to give to a particular agency. Please don't deny the others your needed support.

When I give to my local United Way, does all of my money go to a national organization to be distributed?

Absolutely not. The United Way of Northwest Alabama raises money in this community to fund local services. All of the money you give is directed according to the decisions of local volunteers during the allocation process, where citizens review agency funding requests, budgets, and services. Membership with the United Way of America only allows local United Ways the opportunity to benefit from various sources, such as research, training and logo usage. All funding decisions are still made by local volunteers.