Your United Way
Frequently Asked Questions
Who runs United Way of the Greater Triangle?
United Way of the Greater Triangle 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 United Way of the Greater Triangle.
Are volunteers at United Way of the Greater Triangle paid?
No, our volunteers are donating their own time and energy to help United Way of the Greater Triangle with our events, campaigns, and committees.
Why should someone who doesn't use any agency services care about the success of United Way of the Greater Triangle?
United Way of the Greater Triangle partner agencies provide services for all people from the very youngest children to senior citizens. No one knows when a problem could devastate you or a loved one. By giving to United Way of the Greater Triangle, you can be assured that necessary services will be in place 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 accurate are the various online nonprofit evaluator rankings?
Ever mindful of being good stewards of donated monies, United Way of the Greater Triangle is open and transparent about its finances. Our 990 is posted on this website. A variety of on-line charity evaluators rank our United Way, along with other nonprofits, based on varied criteria. Innocuous changes can often impact these rankings. For example, UWGT awarded its 2008 donations in January of 2009 and this caused a lower score on some evaluation sites than in previous years when money was awarded in the same year it was pledged. We are always available to talk to donors and concerned individuals about UWGT finances.
How can I give if I do not work in a company running a United Way drive?
If you do not have access to United Way of the Greater Triangle 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 GIVE UNITED?
GIVE UNITED provides for the broad range of services needed to improve lives in our community. For example, a victim of domestic violence needs safety, shelter, counseling, and services to live independently again. One agency cannot provide all of these services, but a gift to GIVE UNITED ensures that we can bring together the agencies needed to improve the life of this woman and her family successfully. By donating to GIVE UNITED, you are making the most significant difference possible in someone's life.
Why should I give to United Way and not directly to an agency of my choice?
United Way of the Greater Triangle offers donors the opportunity to support the entire community and maximize their giving by supporting GIVE UNITED, which provides a wide-range of services to meet community needs. GIVE UNITED ensures that an individual's total needs are met. Contributing through United Way of the Greater Triangle also offers smaller local agencies the advantage of fundraising, while freeing up their limited staff to focus on providing services. Additionally, United Way of the Greater Triangle offers donors the opportunity to designate a gift to a specific agency. We offer this for donors' convenience and to enable them to take advantage of payroll deduction, which is the easiest way to give. United Way of the Greater Triangle would never discourage direct giving if a donor prefers that option.
How can my favorite nonprofit charity receive funding through United Way of the Greater Triangle?
Agencies receive funds with program funding as partner agencies and through donor designations.
If I need help, who can I call?
United Way of the Greater Triangle 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 United Way of the Greater Triangle member agency.
How do I find agencies that need help so I can volunteer?
Almost all agencies are eager for un-paid volunteers. Your commitment can range from a one-day project, to a daily commitment. 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 United Way of the Greater Triangle's Volunteer Solutions Web site, www.volunteersolutions.org.
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 and those dollars are eventually 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 GIVE UNITED 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 donors' gifts in the areas of health, income, education and safety in the Triangle.
How much of each contribution is spent on administrative costs?
Only 16 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. United Way of the Greater Triangle is a separate organization, operating independently of the trade organization, United Way of America. United Way of the Greater Triangle 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 Campaign Kick-Off, are designed to boost morale and create a synergy among volunteers. Donor contributions are not used to fund United Way of the Greater Triangle 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 United Way of the Greater Triangle fund Planned Parenthood?
United Way of the Greater Triangle only funds programs at our 89 partner agencies that have met strict standards of accountability. The partner agencies are listed in your pledge materials. We do not fund Planned Parenthood.
Why did United Way of the Greater Triangle cut funding to the Boy Scouts?
On April 23, 2002 the United Way of the Greater Triangle Board of Directors did not certify the Boy Scouts as a partner 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 funding from GIVE UNITED. The Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts is still eligible for donor designations.
What does the newly adopted non-discrimination statement require?
United Way of the Greater Triangle's minimum standard requires partner 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, United Way of the Greater Triangle encourages the "best practice" of comprehensive non- discrimination at the board, volunteer and staff levels of its partner agencies. The Wake and Durham County Boards of Trustees now require the above minimum standard for partner 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 the 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 funding is focused on long-term support.