United Way of Lane County

What is the United Way?

In communities across America, 1350 United Ways improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of their communities. More than fundraisers, United Ways are partners in change, working with a broad range of people and organizations to identify and resolve pressing community issues. United Ways have led the nonprofit sector in the call for transparent accountability and measurable results.

Local United Ways are independent, run by local boards of directors, and respond to specific local needs.

To achieve measurable, lasting change, United Way of Lane County, like other United Ways, identifies and builds on community strengths and assets, helps individuals and groups with specific community interests find ways to contribute their time and talents, support direct-service programs and community-change efforts.

All of this is done in collaboration with diverse partners. Depending on the issue and how the community chooses to address it, United Ways work with schools, government agencies, businesses, organized labor, financial institutions, community development corporations, voluntary and neighborhood associations, the faith community, and others.

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Who is helped by United Way contributions?

One out of four Lane County residents directly benefit from the countywide network of programs supported by United Way dollars. Our Community Solutions Fund supports:

• 61 programs through 41 community service agencies that target existing and emerging community needs.
• The acquisition of grants and other special funding for local human service agencies. Innovative initiatives that focuses on root causes of specific community problems such as limited access to healthcare and financial instability.
• Expanding access to healthcare, improving the financial stability of working families, and ending child abuse.
• An online 2-1-1 system (www.211lane.org) that immediately allows people information and referral information for a vast range of local human services.

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What makes United Way different from other charities?

Most charities focus on a single cause or area of concern. United Way of Lane County tackles priority issues for the entire community by bringing together the best local expertise and resources.

By targeting specific goals, United Way is able to forge partnerships, focus resources and unite the community to tackle the root causes of problems. We're changing the way our community operates by uniting people to create a lasting impact. Together, we can take care of what matters in Lane County, Oregon.

Most unique, perhaps, is our donor assurance pledge. The agencies receiving funding through our Community Solutions Fund must meet high certification standards. The certification process, implemented by community volunteers, assures our donors that these funded agencies use best practices in business and service delivery.

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Where does my contribution go?

With every dollar you give or pledge, you make change. The return on investment for your gift is that thousands of people in Lane County will benefit from one or more services that, in turn, benefit us all.

Our three action areas focus your donations on the building blocks for a good life - EDUCATION, INCOME and HEALTH.  At this time your donation is working specifically to:

• make sure that every  Lane County child enters kindergarten with age-appropriate literacy and social/emotional development so they can reach their greatest potential;
• assure that low-wage households can gain enough financial stability to be able to pay bills for at least 2 months in the event of a sudden loss of income, and;
• guarantee that people without health insurance are enrolled in existing health insurance programs and/or be connected to a local system of timely, affordable health care.

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Who decides how the money raised is used?

Hundreds of volunteers from the business, labor, government and community sectors carefully review proposals received during each funding cycle.  That process, knows as Community Investment, is in full swing right now determining agancy funding decision for the 2010 funding cycle beginning in July 2010. The all-volunteer Community Investment Panels use a scored set of criteria to determine the ability of a proposed project to address the identified goals under our three action areas of EDUCATION, INCOME and HEALTH - the building blocks for a good life.

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Isn’t United Way just a fundraising organization?

No. While raising money is essential to solving community problems, United Way of Lane County is so much more. For example, United Way:

• Works closely with service providers, government, the business community and others to identify and address pressing community problems.
• Recruits and trains thousands of volunteers for nonprofit agencies and provides volunteer resources in management, technical assistance, training and board leadership.
• Is respected by community leaders who look to United Way for important research about the health of our region and the quality of life for everyone.
• Invests in the building blocks for a good life which are education, income and health.
• Tightly focuses its efforts to solve critical community issues with measurable outcomes.

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Can I restrict part of my gift to any nonprofit charity?

Absolutely. United Way of Lane County honors your request to give to any registered tax-exempt (501-c-3) nonprofit in the United States. Your restricted gift must be at least $50 and will be subject to the same 15% overhead charge as all other gifts.

You should know that organizations that are not certified by United Way of Lane County can not be held to our exemplary standards of excellence and accountability. These standards helped place us in the top 14% of all American charities according to Charity Navigator so we know they are important to conscientious donors.

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Why does giving to United Way have more impact than giving directly to a single charity?

United Way is the most efficient, effective and accountable way to make a positive difference in the lives of people who live in this region. We bring together hundreds of volunteers who have a wide range of ideas and experience to lend. They hold all our certified agencies to the highest standards, measure the impact of each funded program, and make all key funding decisions. It is a completely transparent and proven process that works to help the most people in the most comprehensive ways.

Also, we understand that most people seeking help don’t have just one issue to be concerned about. For example, a senior citizen who needs help paying for prescription medications often also has problems affording a nutritious diet and may struggle with transportation. A young family with two working parents often find themselves in need of affordable housing, parenting support classes, and safe childcare.

Solving one problem is important, seeking solutions for a wide range of problems, and their root causes, is critical.

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What is the LIVE UNITED Fund and why should I direct my gift to it?

Through the LIVE UNITED Fund, United Way supports an entire network of human services that are chosen for their ability to address proven local problems. (See #4 regarding how United Way volunteers determine how much money will be allocated to individual agencies.)

At the same time, the LIVE UNITED Fund allows United Way to conduct in-depth research and to create initiatives designed to have significant community impact in areas such as child abuse, healthcare, and financial instability.

Only donations to the LIVE UNITED Fund can be directed by our volunteers to address the most current and critical problems. 

It is through the LIVE UNITED Fund that innovative solutions to long-standing issues can be addressed.  It is also the LIVE UNITED Fund that supports our countywide network of basic needs services - shelter, safety, food, health care, and access to services.

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If I do decide to restrict my gift to one agency, does it take away from the money they get from the LIVE UNITED Fund?

The agencies get two separate amounts: the LIVE UNITED Fund dollars allocated to them through our volunteer Community Investment Panels and the money designated to them by individual donors.

LIVE UNITED funds are the only funds our volunteers can direct to where the greatest needs are. In small rural communities it is only because of LIVE UNITED dollars that local service agencies can provide food, shelter, senior transportation, and more to their most vulnerable residents.

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Can any agency apply for LIVE UNITED funds through United Way?

Beginning with the current 2010 funding cycle, any agency whose programs can be proven to measurabley "move the needle" on United Way of Lane County's goals in education, income and health could apply for funding.  It's the first time in decades that the door has been wide open to all interested agencies. 

Every proposal is viewed on its own merits and it's clarity of purpose, ability to provide measureable outcomes, and whether or not the focus of the program is on United Way's target population - people at risk of or currently living in poverty.

Applicaitons for the 2010 funding cycle are being reviewed right now with announcements in June 2010.  It is not clear when the next funding cycle will be but it could be as soon as 2011.

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I would like to help, but just can't afford it.

Any amount, even if your gift seems small, will help. It's just as hard, or even harder, for those who need help from one of the many agencies supported by your United Way contributions. A payroll deduction pledge allows you to make a generous contribution in manageable portions each pay day. Join with your neighbors to help create real change in our community.

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How much of my contribution goes to United Way’s operations?

United Way of Lane County’s year-round administrative and campaign costs amount to 15 cents out of every dollar. That makes our overhead costs among the lowest in the nation. That’s part of the reason we’ve received Charity Navigator’s coveted 4-Star rating for two years in a row. According to Charity Navigator, United Way of Lane County is in the top 14% of American charities. We spend your dollars as they are intended--to help people. Community Solutions Fund dollars stay right here in your community.

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I doubt if I’ll ever need to use these services, so why should I support them?

It's possible that you might never use United Way funded services, but statistics show that you or a member of your family probably have or will use United Way services at some point. Many of us use United Way services weekly even if we don’t realize. Some examples include activities at the YMCA, local scouting programs, counseling opportunities, and the Red Cross.

And some of our efforts may not seem like charity to you. For example, the community has been powerfully impacted by United Way efforts to help low- and moderate-wage workers apply for and receive the Earned Income Tax Credits and Child Care Tax Credits to which they are entitled.

In 2006 we had tremendous success helping over 1,000 seniors learn more about and get enrolled in Medicare Part D thereby helping them afford their prescription medications.

Are these efforts “charity” or are they the kinds of things we do to make this a community of which we can be proud? A community where our children are cherished, our seniors are honored, and where everyone is treated with respect.

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Why give to United Way when government programs support local agencies?

While government dollars, in combination with private dollars, are used to fund certain services in our community, government cutbacks continue to seriously reduce the ability of agencies to provide essential levels of service. The agencies in our area need United Way, as well as increased help from its contributors.

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What if I would like to give to United Way but I don’t like one of the funded agencies?

A major advantage of giving to United Way is that it assures that a variety of programs and services will receive funding. Donors empower United Way volunteers and professional staff to work together to connect their contribution with the greatest need in the community.

When you withhold your support because of a concern about a single agency, you may be penalizing many other vital services.

You may, however, exclude a particular agency from receiving any portion of your gift by indicating that information on your pledge form.

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