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 and render charitable, philanthropic, education, health or
welfare services for the benefit of residents of Aiken County.
The agency must have been in existence for one year at the time of
application for agency status/program funding to the United Way, must
have a volunteer board of directors and at least one full-time
professional staff member. In addition, the organization must
have an annual audit and regular business hours of operation. For
further information, please contact Sharon L. Rodgers at (803)
648-8331.
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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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