Frequently Asked Questions

United Way of Jackson County

Frequently Asked Questions

What is United Way?

      United Way is a locally incorporated, locally governed nonprofit organization that builds bridges between people in the community who need services and want to be part of a stronger, healthier community; human service agencies; and the people who have the ability to offer financial resources.  United Way of Jackson County is a community-based organization that conducts one annual fundraising campaign to provide outcome-based program funding of health and human-care services.  Currently, United Way funds 48 different programs at 34 local health and human service agencies.

What Distinguishes United Way From Other Fundraising Efforts?

      United Way is focused on education (helping every child reach their full potential), income (helping families be financially stable and independent), and health (helping children and youth engage in less risky behaviors).  Our work with the Meth Task Force has reduced the epidemic and been named the model for community collaboration by Scott Burns, Deputy Drug Czar.  Our learning community brought together 140 leaders from education, nonprofits, business, government and faith to learn skills in systems thinking, mental models, shared visioning, team learning and personal mastery to grow the way we work on underlying issues.  Our Breaking the Cycle of Poverty project is crafting a plan with broad community input to Break the Cycle and let children living in poverty have a different life experience than their parent. 

      United Way eliminates many drives in one workplace setting.  The United Way of Jackson combines at least 34 separate appeals into a one-time community effort.  Because United Way has access to workplaces and payroll deduction authorization, it is able to raise funds that agencies working alone can't raise.

      United Way provides and economical and efficient method of raising funds.  Separate drives commonly cost as high as 30% to over 70% of funds raised. 

      United Way provides outcomes-based program funding for local people in need.  Funds raised through campaign efforts are invested in people who live in Jackson County who need specific programs and services, but can't pay for them. 

      United Way raises the standard of local services.  Every two years United Way volunteers come together in vision councils to review agency applications, conduct site visits and hold panel discussions to allocate valuable resources.

Who Operates the United Way?

      Volunteers.  The United Way of Jackson County has 29 board members and more than 1500 volunteers serving on committees, councils, the Day of Caring and the campaign.  While there are United Ways around the world, all United Ways are governed locally.

How Much of My Money Goes to Providing Service?

      80 cents of every $1.00 goes directly to providing service.  Because United Way leverages donations three to one, that 80 cents provides at least $2.40 in goods and services to United Way agencies.

How Do I Know My Gift Will Be Used to Help People?

      United Way values and deeply respects the public trust.  Volunteers review agency use of funds each year.  Audits, financial reviews, or government filings are required from agencies as well and are kept on file at the United Way office.

There are So Many Good Causes, Why Should I Give to United Way?

      Giving to United Way means your charitable choice is the community.  One gift to the community fund helps one in three people in Jackson County through 48 programs at 34 local agencies.

Who Determines How Much Each Agency Receives?

      More than 150 volunteers review agency applications, conduct site visits, and review funding requests.  Panel recommendations go on to the United Way Board of Directors for the final decision.

What about United Way of America?

      United Way of Jackson County is a proud member of the United Way of America.  United Way of America provides us with professional expertise in many areas: research, marketing, campaign support, national public policy lobbying and more.  Only 1% of campaign revenues are paid in membership dues. 

      United Way of America does not make funding decisions for local United Ways and does not take positions on local funding issues.