Campaign FAQs

These are some of the most frequently asked questions people have about the United Way of the National Capital Area Campaign. A contribution to the United Way Campaign is an investment in the human services that strengthen our community, and all "investors" should know the value and efficiency of the services they're helping to support.

Q. What is United Way of the National Capital Area?

A: United Way of the National Capital Area advances the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. For more than 35 years, we have worked to improve lives and neighborhoods in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County. By engaging experts from the public, private and nonprofit sectors, we successfully identify strategic solutions to our region’s toughest challenges and are able to direct funding where it is needed most. United Way collaborates with more than 650 community partners addressing critical needs in the areas of Education, Income and Health- the building blocks for a good quality of life.

Q: What makes United Way unique?

A: With over 35 years of experience serving the greater Washington area, you can count on us to deliver:

Results: Measurable impact is what matters most, and United Way and our partner agencies deliver them. As you join our movement to advance the common good, you can be assured that together we touch the lives of tens of thousands of people in need each year!

Updates: We understand you want to know your investment is going toward good work. United Way is committed to complete transparency and accountability. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and read our community blogs to keep apprised of how we work to advance the common good around our community.

Options: More than any other organization, your United Way provides donation choices that reflect what’s important to you. Give directly to United Way, to your local community, to your favorite cause, or to your favorite service organization(s).

Local Focus: Our longstanding model for granting funds places the decisions in the hands of our community volunteers; local leaders who know and understand the needs and the resources in your communities.

Accountability: We know that our agencies do great work but with our internal grant process and rigorous evaluation of their impact in the community, we are able to track, measure, and protect your investment.

Responsible Stewardship: Our world-class system of financial reporting provides the highest level of transparency and accountability. For almost a decade we have received highly favorable independent audits, so you can trust your donations are in good hands.

Q: How does United Way help my community?

A: Focused on the fundamental issues of Education, Income and Health, United Way supports community initiatives and nonprofit organizations that help people from all walks of life. Chances are that you, a family member, a friend, or a neighbor has benefited from United Way’s efforts. We support a long list of services in the areas of: child care, food assistance, after school programs, homelessness, domestic violence, medical services, and many others. Through our locally identified targeted impact funds we promote child wellness and affordable housing initiatives in the region. Our Fun, Fly & Fit program takes on the region’s childhood obesity crisis by helping thousands of area youth learn the foundations of nutrition and exercise.

Q: Why host a United Way Campaign?

A: United Way’s annual fundraising drive is the easiest and most efficient way to give. It brings volunteers and contributors together to enable hundreds of partner agencies to have the farthest reach in the community. Contributors will see their charity dollars at work.

Q: Why should I give to United Way - why not give directly to an individual charity?

A: There are two key reasons to give to United Way rather than directly to a nonprofit.

When you give through United Way, your investment goes a lot further. Our nominal administrative fee is reinvested in the community as manpower, marketing, and access. United Way allows charities to reach more than 100,000 potential donors, at over 3,000 workplace sites. Plus, if they choose, we take care of enrolling them in the federal and state campaigns. The ease and convenience of our payroll deduction process means that donors can give more, because they are able to spread out their contributions over the year, pre-tax. We handle the processing and allocation of donations, ensuring timely and accurate distribution of donor dollars. Plus our annual eligibility assessment means that our member charities adhere to high standards of performance and fiscal responsibility.

Second, and more importantly, your United Way gift is an investment in a powerful network of interconnected programs and services. No one nonprofit organization stands alone. The value of your donation has a "snowball effect," giving it a system-wide impact. For example, say you gave directly to a women's shelter, which uses that money to provide much-needed food and clothing to its patrons. But what about when a resident of the shelter needs a job? Or a car to get to her job? When you donate to United Way, your contribution also supports programs that can help her find work, transportation, permanent housing, child care, and more. It takes a system of support to help her get back on her feet. By donating to United Way, you strengthen that system. And by strengthening the system, you strengthen your entire community.

Our member charities recognize this value. By partnering with United Way, they can spend more of their time and resources fulfilling their mission, rather than on going after dollars. That’s why they sign on to be a part of United Way’s network.

Q: I live in a community outside Washington, DC. Why should I give?

A: United Way agencies provide services not only to residents of Washington, DC, but also to people living in surrounding regions. Consider giving to one of our regional Community Impact funds to help residents in one of the other areas we serve, including: Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax-Falls Church, Loudoun, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Prince William Counties.

Q: What are the Community Impact Funds?

A: Each of the eight regions (Alexandria, Arlington, DC, Fairfax/Falls Church, and Loudoun, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Prince William Counties) that make up United Way of the National Capital Area has its own Community Impact Fund. These Funds allow United Way to solve critical issues facing our communities that no one person, nonprofit, or company can address alone. When you give to these Funds, your dollars have the greatest possible impact because your donation is directed where the need is most urgent in your community. These funding decisions are made by a volunteer, citizen-led task force that works together with area nonprofits, governments, and business leaders to determine where there are gaps in services and where the funds will do the most good.

Q: How can I be sure that my donation to United Way will be used efficiently and effectively?

A: We understand that your donation represents more than money - it shows your trust in our organization and our ability to serve the community. Because the value of that trust is priceless, we’re committed to complete transparency and accountability so you can be assured your dollars make the greatest possible impact. We employ the best practices in fiscal responsibility, including:

Rigorous independent annual financial audits – with a strong track record of positive results and responsible stewardship;

Strong financial controls;

A dedicated and vigilant Board of Directors;

United Way volunteers monitor management and performance of individual agencies annually before allocating funds raised in the campaign;

Code of Conduct, adopted and signed by all staff and volunteers;
An independent ethics officer;

Chief Financial Officer Holly Blanchard was awarded the Award for Non-Profit Financial Excellence in December of 2008 and was nominated for this distinction the previous year.

United Way works to create positive, lasting change in our local communities through effective, efficient, and ethical fundraising. We take this mission seriously and work hard to maintain the highest standards of integrity and accountability.

Q: How much of my United Way donation goes to programs and services?

A: United Way has long been a leader in low-cost community impact. Our proven consolidated fundraising concept, combined with the generous efforts of our campaign volunteers, helps us maintain low costs and high efficiency.

Q: How do non-profits become affiliated with United Way?

A: Each year, organizations must apply to participate in our campaign, and, in keeping with United Way's high standards of integrity and accountability, must meet strict criteria for approval, including:

Being incorporated as a not-for-profit organization, with a constitution and/or by-laws;

Observe and practice a policy of non-discrimination;

Have an active governing body;

Account for its funds according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and, if their revenue is over $250k, submit an independent audit;

Prepare an annual report or newsletter to the public;

Have a substantial presence in the geographical area covered by United Way of the National Capital Area;

Give agency staff in the geographic area of United Way NCA an opportunity to support the community by conducting an in-house United Way Campaign.

Q: How do non-profits benefit from United Way affiliation?

A: First, our non-profit partners can take advantage of United Way's consolidated fundraising efforts with access to over 100,000 potential donors, which give them a dependable source of annual funding and improve their operational efficiency.

Second, their United Way affiliation raises their visibility in the private and public sectors, improving their chances to win grants and other vital financial support. Finally, United Way gives them access to crucial planning resources, such as community needs assessments, so they can determine how their programs can best serve the public.

Q: Is my gift tax deductible?

A: Yes; in most cases you must have a receipt for your donation to meet IRS requirements. If you donate to United Way via payroll deduction, keep your pay stubs as your receipts. If you make a one-time donation of $250 or more, you'll receive a tax receipt letter from United Way reflecting the amount of your gift. See your Campaign Coordinator for more details.

Q: What if I can't afford to make a donation?

A: Giving is a personal and voluntary choice. Give as much as you can comfortably afford - even a dollar or two per pay period makes a difference when its combined with the more than $35 million (unaudited) in donations pledged during our annual campaign. No matter the amount, your donation is valuable and has a direct, positive impact on the entire United Way system.

Q: Can I choose how my donation will be used - to a specific issue or non-profit that I think has the most

need?

A: Yes. More than any other organization, your United Way provides donation choices that reflect what’s important to you:

Give Directly to the United Way:
The easiest way to make a difference in your community; these funds help drive community initiatives and provide the backbone for our continuing support of programs and advocacy throughout the region.
Give to a Particular Impact Area:
Child Wellness: United Way works to decrease the rates of obesity and youth violence among our children and youth.
Affordable Housing: United Way increases awareness about the housing crisis and champions long-term solutions.
Give to your region:
Our teams of local volunteers recommend the most impactful programs to fund, ensuring your contributions go where they will do the most good.
Give to one or more individual charities:

United Way has more than 950 member charities to choose from. Or you can write in your favorite

organization.

Q: When are United Way agencies notified that they will receive money?

A: Each year at the end of March, United Way notifies our non-profit partners of their designations from the campaign. Donations to write-in organizations are notified at the time they receive payment. Our non-profit partners are informed of donors' names, should the donor choose to release the information.

Q: If I designate "United Way NCA " on my pledge card, where does my donation go?

A: The easiest way to make a difference in your community; these funds help drive community initiatives and provide the backbone for our continuing support of programs and advocacy throughout the region. Funds may also be directed to the Community Impact Fund, where they're used to address the most serious issues affecting the community, as well as to other important community building initiatives such as Helping Youth Succeed, Senior Services, or Health and Wellness programs.

Q: How is my local United Way connected to United Way of America and to other United Ways across the country?

A: United Way of the National Capital Area runs an annual campaign that provides funding for local non-profit organizations and community initiatives. The money you donate finances health and human service programs throughout the eight regions comprising the United Way of the National Capital Area. Like the nearly 1,400 local United Ways around the country, we are separately incorporated and governed by a board of regional community leaders and volunteers.

The United Way of America, based in Alexandria, Virginia, is a trade association that offers training opportunities, research information, national advertising, information on best practices, and other support to local United Ways. These services are paid for through annual dues.

Q: I understand that the United Way helps my community - but if I need help, where can I turn?

A: United Way’s 2-1-1 service is a free, easy-to-remember telephone number that connects people to vital resources that improve their lives. The 2-1-1 call specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and are ready to provide information about a wide range of community services – including health care, job training, child care, mortgage foreclosure assistance and more.