Your United Way
Frequently Asked Questions
As part of this community, each and every one of us share the responsibility of improving the quality of life in our community. Triangle United Way provides important funding that assists people who need a helping hand, and EVERY dollar collected counts.
Who runs Triangle United Way?
Triangle United Way is run by a volunteer board of directors comprised of community leaders, experts and others interested in creating community solutions. Trustees represent the three counties served by Triangle United Way.
Why should someone who doesn't use any agency services care about the success of Triangle United Way?
Triangle United Way member agencies provide services for people from our very youngest children to our seniors. No one knows when a problem will hit you or someone you know, but if you give to Triangle United Way, you can be assured that the services will be there when they are needed.
Are United Way contributions tax-deductible?
Yes, if you itemize. However, there are certain limitations. Donors should consult with their financial advisor for details.
How can I give if I do not work in a company running a United Way drive?
If you do not have access to the Triangle United Way through your work, you can still give by calling (919) 460-8687 or by logging on to our Web site at www.unitedwaytriangle.org.
What is the Community Care Fund?
The Community Care Fund provides for the broad range of services needed to improve lives. Example: A victim of domestic violence needs safety, shelter, counseling, and services to live independently again - one agency cannot provide all of these, but a gift to the Community Care Fund ensures that we can bring together the agencies needed to improve the life of this woman and her family successfully. One gift to the Community Care Fund does more.
Why should I give to United Way and not directly to an agency of my choice?
I want to make sure my money goes where it is needed most. Triangle United Way offers donors the opportunity to support the entire community and maximize their giving by supporting the Triangle United Way Community Care Fund, which provides a wide-range of services to meet community needs. The Community Care Fund ensures that an individual's total needs are met, instead of addressing only one part of the problem. Contributing through Triangle United Way also offers smaller local agencies the advantage of fundraising while freeing up their limited staff to focus on providing services. Additionally, Triangle United Way offers donors the opportunity to designate their gift to a specific agency. We offer this for donor's convenience and to enable them to take advantage of payroll deduction, which is the easiest way to give. Triangle United Way would never discourage direct giving if a donor prefers that option.
How can my favorite nonprofit charity receive funding through Triangle United Way?
There are two ways agencies receive funds: with program funding as member agencies and through donor designations.
If I need help, who can I call?
Triangle United Way provides the first place to call for free, confidential, bilingual information and referral services. Simplify your life by calling 2-1-1 or 1-800-831-1754 for answers. We're here for you 24-hours-a-day everyday thanks to a partnership with Hopeline, a Triangle United Way member agency.
How do I find agencies that need help so I can volunteer?
Almost all agencies are eager for volunteers. Your commitment can range from a one- day project, to one day a week or five days a week - the options are limitless. You can find volunteer opportunities in your area by contacting 2-1-1 or by watching your local newspapers. Volunteer Opportunities can also be found at Triangle United Way's Volunteer Portal.
How much of my gift goes directly to helping people?
85 cents out of every donor dollar pledged goes directly to helping people in need right here in our community. We are proud to be well below the national average of 40% overhead costs as reported by the National Charities Information Bureau.
My boss coerced me into giving to United Way. What should I do?
United Way strongly urges employers to be sensitive to the highly personal nature of charitable giving. If you feel you are, or have been, a victim of coercive tactics to require you to give, please notify the campaign coordinator at your company or your supervisor. If you don't feel comfortable discussing your concerns at your company, please call your United Way. We will happily and discreetly return money, speak with your company's officers, or take whatever steps necessary to ensure that coercion does not play a part in your company's campaign.
Why do I see "United Way Agencies" doing their own fundraising?
Technically, your United Way does not fund "agencies", it funds programs. In this way, United Way can ensure that donors' gifts are going directly to important services that help people, not capital projects or overhead costs. Individual agencies must do separate fundraising to cover those expenses. However, United Way helps agencies in other ways besides funding particular programs. Funding through United Way can increase the credibility of agencies, making it easier for them to win foundation, state, and federal grants. Indeed, tens of thousands of dollars or more in such grants may be awarded in the Triangle area each year as a result of the endorsing quality of United Way funding.
Will the money I give to United Way go outside the community?
No. The money raised in the Triangle area stays in the Triangle area unless you, as the donor, request that it be sent to another United Way. Your local United Way does pay annual dues to United Way of America, the trade association for United Ways, and also to United Way of North Carolina, the state trade association. Those dues - -which amount to about one cent of every dollar pledged are used to help underwrite the costs of the United Way/NFL television spots, help defray the costs of marketing materials that our local United Way uses, and support training for United Way staff. Those dues represent the only money that leaves the Triangle area - those dollars eventually are returned to the community in services received.
How can I make sure that my gift will benefit the community where I live?
Through United Way's donor choice program, you have the option of designating your United Way gift back to the community in which you live, so that it will benefit agencies there. For example, if you live in Wake County, but work in Research Triangle Park, you can specify that your gift go to the United Way Community Care Fund in Wake County.
Who decides where the money goes?
People like you, right here in the Triangle! More than 300 community volunteers, experts, and agency representatives work together to identify community needs, reduce duplication of services, and close gaps in services as they invest donor's gifts in the areas of greatest need in our community including: nurturing our very young children, investing in our youth, strengthening our families, enriching the lives of our seniors, providing access to health services and meeting basic needs.
How much of each contribution is spent on administrative costs?
Only 15 cents out of every dollar pledged covers fundraising expenses and other administrative costs. It's an investment well made when you consider that nationally accepted maximum limits for non-profit overhead costs vary from 40 percent to 50 percent. The Philanthropic Advisory Service of the Council of Better Business Bureaus sets the maximum permissible rate for overhead costs at non-profit organizations at 50 percent. The National Charities Information Bureau sets the rate at 40 percent.
Does United Way of America set policy for our local United Way?
No. Every decision at your United Way is made locally for the benefit of our community. The Triangle United Way is a separate organization, operating independently of the trade organization, United Way of America. Triangle United Way is governed by its Board of Trustees, comprised of local business and community leaders, and assisted by more than 50 volunteers from the local community.
How does United Way pay for its events?
Annual events, such as Kick-Off celebration and report meetings, are designed to boost morale and create a synergy among volunteers. Donor contributions are not used to fund Triangle United way events. Sponsorship defrays the cost and the remainder is covered by the ticket price for each event.
What if I don't like one of the agencies that United Way supports?
You can specify which United Way agency or agencies will receive your gift by designating your gift. Donor designation forms can be obtained from a campaign solicitor.
Does Triangle United Way fund Planned Parenthood?
Triangle United Way only funds programs at our 81 member agencies that have met strict standards of accountability. The member agencies are listed in your pledge materials. We do not fund Planned Parenthood.
Why did Triangle United Way cut funding to the Boy Scouts?
On April 23, 2002 the Triangle United Way Board of Directors did not certify the Boy Scouts as a member agency because the agency did not submit a non-discrimination policy affirming access to services for all clients (boys) without limitations. Therefore, after June 2003, the Boy Scouts Occoneechee Council will no longer be eligible for Community Care Funding from Triangle United Way. The Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts is still eligible to donor designations.
What does the newly adopted non-discrimination statement require?
Triangle United Way's minimum standard requires member agencies to provide a board approved non-discrimination policy that ensures access to services regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin, age, and sexual orientation. Additionally, Triangle United Way encourages the "best practice" of comprehensive non- discrimination at the board, volunteer and staff levels of its member agencies. The Wake and Durham County Boards of Trustees now require the above minimum standard for member agencies. The Orange County Board of Trustees requires member agencies to follow the "best practice".
What happened to the money contributed to the September 11th Fund through United Way?
Thanks to the generosity of many people, corporations and foundations the money from September 11th Fund is hard at work helping people rebuild their lives. As of March 31, 2002 181 grants totaling $205 million were made to organizations and individuals impacted by the tragedy. The focus is on long-term support. For more information, you can log onto www.september11fund.org.