Frequently Asked Questions
The following are answers to the questions we're most often asked.
If you don't find the information you need on this page, please contact us.
What are the advantages of giving
through United Way?
It feels good!
- Your gift
goes to help people who really need it.
- It's local.
Funds raised in the area stay here to address local problems.
- It's accountable.
Volunteers decide which programs receive funds, and ensure that services
are high quality and meet high priority community needs.
- It's efficient.
Volunteers help conduct the campaign to keep costs low.
- It's effective.
By bringing the community together, we accomplish much more than we can alone.
United Way makes your caring count!
- It's easy.
Payroll deductions make giving simple.
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Is my United Way contribution tax
deductible?
Giving to United Way, and to other nonprofit organizations classified
under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, entitles taxpayers
who file itemized returns to a tax deduction. These organizations include
United Ways, nonprofit agencies, foundations, churches and most educational
institutions. The 501(c)(3) classification exempts these organizations generally
from paying taxes and Section 170 enables people who contribute to them to
deduct their gifts on individual itemized returns. Only people who itemize
deductions on their income tax returns may deduct the value of the cash or
property they contribute to tax-exempt organizations, which may be subject
to restrictions at upper income levels. Non-itemiser are not entitled to
a charitable deduction. Please consult your tax advisor for information on
your specific situation.
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Can I afford to give?
It is true that some individuals may not be in a position to give because
of their current financial situation. However, many of us have made charitable
contributions a priority in our budgets. The payroll deduction method gives
us an easy way to give a little each month, making it possible to help a
lot on an annual basis.
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Should I give if I didn't get a
raise?
Giving is a personal decision. Individuals should assess their annual
income to determine their ability to give. If that amount does not increase,
we would not expect their gifts to increase. The continuation of the gift
is crucial to the continuation of vital community services.
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My spouse gives...Why should I?
Contributors are asked to give according to the United Way Giving Guide
which uses an individual's annual wage to determine the level of giving.
When families are fortunate enough to have two incomes, each contributes
at their own place of employment.
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If I volunteer, should I give?
Those who volunteer are more likely to give. They see the needs firsthand.
Giving takes a number of different forms: time, talent, money. Many of the
agencies could not exist if it were not for the hundreds of volunteer hours
"given" each year. Keep in mind, however, that basic overhead (water, electricity,
space, staff) cannot be paid with "in-kind" contributions. That is why cash
contributions are also critical to the survival of community services.
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Will I ever use United Way services?
United Way funded services help everyone. It is a popular misconception
that only the jobless and truly "at risk" seek help from United Way partner
agencies. Working people have problems and needs too - marital problems,
child care needs, alcohol and drug abuse problems, troubled teens and aging
parents - and United Way services are available to all. Also, many popular
recreational agencies such as the YMCA and Scouting programs receive United
Way funding. Your United Way contribution helps your co-workers, your friends,
your neighbors, and your family - one in three people in our community.
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I heard about someone who did not
get help when they needed it.
It is very frustrating for individuals to need a specific service and
not be able to find the type of help needed. United Way member agencies can't
always provide the help requested, but will do everything they can to help
people in need identify the referral sources that do exist. In fact, United
Way funds the Aiken County Help Line to help connect people to available
services. It can be reached at 648-9900.
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Why are people forced into giving?
The United Way has always supported the concept of voluntary giving.
Occasionally companies or volunteers will get so enthusiastic about their
role in helping the United Way that they might appear to be "twisting arms."
United Way stresses the importance of voluntary giving and discourages coercion
of any kind.
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Why should I give to United Way
when I give to my church?
One of the things we have observed in working for United Way is that
"givers" are "givers" to many things. It is very common for strong supporters
of United Way services to also be very involved in churches or organizations
outside the United Way. Perhaps it is because these are the people who are
most keenly aware of the needs of people and want to help even if the gift
is small. How much you can afford to give, and to whom, is a very personal
decision that only you can make. As much as our local churches try to assist
the community, they are not equipped to serve all the needs in our community.
For example: If one of your church members had a child born with Cerebral
Palsy, where would the family turn for therapy?
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Does the money go where they
say it will go?
Approximately 60 volunteers from our community spend many hours studying
and prioritizing community needs, monitoring United Way funded agencies,
and considering funding requests. Then they decide how to best invest the
dollars to help the most people. This process ensures that you, the contributor,
are receiving accountability for the funds you contribute to the United Way.
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Will contributions go to fancy
lunches?
No. Most luncheons and other events sponsored by the United Way are "no-host",
meaning each person pays their own way. Some of the functions are paid for
by individuals or companies.
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I pay taxes... Why should I give?
Your tax dollars do support many social services in this community. Unfortunately,
we have seen dramatic reductions in Federal and State support of social services
over the past ten years and we expect this trend to continue. Local services
are perceived to be the responsibility of the local community. That is why
we need your help to continue services.
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Do United Way agencies charge
a fee for using some services?
Yes. Almost all United Way agencies provide service on a sliding fee
scale so that those who are able to pay for the services do so while those
who are less able to pay are not denied services because of their financial
situation. Philosophically, we believe that people value the service more
if they have contributed to its support, even if it's only a token amount.
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Why are some agencies religiously
affiliated?
The organizations that provide some human care programs are religiously
affiliated. United Way policy prohibits the direct support of churches,
but does allow us to assist church-sponsored organizations that are providing
social services. United Way funds are directed to those programs of the
organization that serve the community.
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How much should I contribute
and what is this "suggested giving guide" ?
The Giving Guide is a standard reflective of the disposable income enjoyed
by individuals at specific salary levels. Contributors have the right to
decide the level of their contributions. However, many contributors have asked
for this type of guideline to be established and have found the level to
be fair to the individual level of income, particularly if given through payroll
deduction over the course of the year.
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Who decides how my contribution
is spent and how carefully are agency expenditures monitored?
Volunteers, area residents like you, decide how much is allocated to
each agency. Volunteers from all segments of our community work together
to review each agency's budget and programs each year. These volunteers
assure contributors that every dollar is spent wisely. An important element
of United Way agency admissions is sound fiscal management. This is ensured
on a continuing basis by volunteer review of financial reports and annual
audits.
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May I give directly to my favorite
agency?
It's true we all have favorite agencies. But United Way believes in the
concept of investing in a federation of agencies to ensure a variety of
services are available regardless of their public popularity. That is why
the Allocations process was begun - a concept where the volunteers make
the decision regarding funding of the United Way agencies based on priority
needs in the community. This guarantees that you are receiving accountability
for the funds you contribute to the United Way. If you must designate, you
may write the United Way of Aiken County member agency of your choice on
United Way's pledge card. To see a listing of approved member agencies click
here.
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Why did the Red Cross charge
soldiers for doughnuts in World War II?
Over the protests of Red Cross officials in 1942, Secretary of War Henry
B. Stimson decided that American soldiers should pay for their Red Cross
meals in rear areas only, just as their Allied counterparts did in English
and Australian Clubs. Coffee, doughnuts and other food served at the front
lines remained free. If these items were sold, it was done illegally or in
ignorance.
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Why do you need my money?
Our communities' needs are greater every year... and contributions need
to continue to support these growing needs.
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I know United Way is a local
agency, but don't some of the dollars go to the national agency, United
Way of America?
Our United Way is a totally autonomous agency, run by local volunteers.
But it does send less than one penny from every dollar raised to United
Way of America in annual dues. In return, our local United Way receives
national advertising, research, government relations and continuing education
worth many times more than this minimal investment.
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How does an agency become a United
Way funded agency?
To ensure that services funded by your United Way dollars are efficient
and effective, the standards for admission to the United Way family of agencies
are high. Applying agencies must have a 501 (c)(3) non profit status, a volunteer
board of directors and at least one full-time professional staff member.
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How much does it cost United
Way to raise a dollar?
The Better Business Bureau recommends choosing charities that spend 30
cents or less per dollar on administrative and fund-raising costs. Thanks
to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers, audited financial statements show
fundraising/administration and community problem-solving expenses have been
kept to a low 8%. This measure of efficiency is one of the hallmarks of
this United Way.
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