Frequently Asked Questions

United Way of Jackson County

Frequently Asked Questions

What is United Way?

United Way is a locally incorporated and locally governed nonprofit organization that offers life changing opportunities to people who need help and people who can help. United Way mobilizes caring to affect change by raising critically needed resources and investing them for impact. Half our resources are spent on direct services funding helping 1 in 2 people and the other half of our resources are spent on our community impact initiatives including: Jackson County CAN (Child Abuse Network), CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) Jackson County, Meth Task Force, Southern Oregon Meth Project and HOPE Chest.

What Distinguishes United Way From Other Fundraising Efforts?

United Way is focused on the building blocks of a good life: education, income stability and health. Our strategies are:

• Education – strengthening at risk children through mentoring, strengthening families and promoting early learning.

• Income Stability – increasing stability and independence building on two existing programs – CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) Jackson County and HOPE Chest.

• Health – keeping children safe by continuing the efforts of Jackson County CAN (Child Abuse Network) and promoting healthy behaviors including engagement and connection through increased volunteerism.

• Transportation - collaborating to reduce impact of transportation issues for low income people on educational opportunities, child care, access to health care, and jobs.

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.

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

United Way eliminates many different fundraising drives in one workplace setting. In partnership with our members, we do one workplace campaign a year. 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 an economical and efficient method of raising funds. Separate drives commonly cost from 30% to over 70% of funds raised.

Who Operates the United Way?

Volunteers. The United Way of Jackson County has 30 board members and more than 1,700 volunteers serving on the board, committees, councils, Day of Caring, WiLL (Women Living Leadership) and the campaign. While there are United Ways around the world, all United Ways are governed locally. We have a staff of 4.5 full time equivalence.

What are the administrative costs?

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’s 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. Along with appropriate reporting, mid-cycle program evaluations and success stories are required.

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

Giving to United Way means your charitable choice is the whole community. One gift to the community fund helps 1 in 2 people in Jackson County through 41 programs and our community impact initiatives.

Who Determines How Much Each Agency Receives?

More than 150 volunteers review agency applications, conduct site visits, and review funding requests. Panel recommendations go forward to the United Way Community Building Council and from there to the United Way Board of Directors for the final decision. The whole process takes approximately 1000 volunteer hours.

What about United Way Worldwide (formerly United Way of America)?

United Way of Jackson County is a proud member of United Way Worldwide. United Way Worldwide provides us with professional expertise in many areas: research, marketing, campaign support, national public policy lobbying and an important global presence. We are part of changing our world. Only 1% of campaign revenues are paid in membership dues.

United Way Worldwide does not make funding decisions or set policies for local United Ways and does not take positions on local funding issues.

What about charitable debacles?

There have been many charitable scandals over time. There has never been a local United Way scandal in Jackson County. There was a significant scandal with United Way of America in the early 1990s. This was immediately dealt with both civilly and criminally. Other nonprofits have violated public trust. Being ethical, transparent and accountable are values held to the utmost standard by our board of directors.

How is executive evaluation and compensation determined?

The United Way of Jackson County personnel committee evaluates the executive director annually. This is a 360 evaluation with input requested from staff, agency partners, community partners, the board of directors and the personnel committee. The personnel committee is chaired by a board member, includes other board members, community members and agency directors. The compensation is set by the full board by reviewing salary surveys for nonprofit executives in Oregon, comparably sized United Ways around the western United States and a local salary survey of nonprofit leaders.

What about controversial agencies?

United Way of Jackson County funds some programs that people find objectionable. Crater Lake Council Boy Scouts Learning for Life program did not apply for funding in 2011. Currently the United Way does not fund Planned Parenthood. For many years, we funded the community education program and teen theatre. Planned Parenthood dissolved the teen theatre and is unable to present information in many public schools locally. Planned Parenthood is eligible to apply for funding for education programs in the future.

Why is United Way shifting to community impact initiatives?

United Way is focused on the building blocks of a good life: education, income stability, health and transportation. For years, we raised funds and invested them in direct services. We could continue to invest all of our resources in direct services without necessarily changing the root causes of problems in our community. We could invest all our resources in community impact and systems change risking destabilization of existing direct service solutions. By investing in both, we can see impact that lasts, knowing that when you reach out a hand to one you influence the condition of all.

What about giving in Josephine County?

United Way of Jackson County raises funds, invests in direct services and does our community impact work in Jackson County. Josephine County does not have a United Way. For those who wish to give to human services in Josephine County, we suggest you select the charity of your choice. We will pass through those designations like we do other designations. Any valid 501(c) (3) or other tax exempt organization is eligible. If you need assistance figuring out who might be a good choice, we’ll provide information we have available.

Is United Way of Jackson County involved in new media?

Yes! Follow us at uwjackson on twitter and join United Way of Jackson County Medford group on Facebook. Interact, engage, inspire!