Each United Way chapter is completely autonomous; locally governed, organized and operated. The United Way system includes more than 1,300 community-based United Way organizations in the United States and around the world. Each is independent, separately incorporated and governed by a local, volunteer Board of Directors. Because of the unique conditions in diverse communities, the issues addressed by each United Way chapter are determined locally.
You bet. United Way of the Wine Country is unique in the way it makes an impact in the community. We no longer simply raise and distribute money to nonprofits. Today's complex problems require proactive, permanent solutions. Our history of leadership enables us to spearhead comprehensive, community-wide change. We are a catalyst, a convener, a collaborator and a change agent. Our work brings people together to determine the root causes of our community's most challenging problems and to do whatever it takes to achieve measurable and lasting results. No other organization enables a donor's gift to make such a broad impact across the community.
Volunteers. Individuals like you, who represent a broad spectrum of the counties, serve on the United Way board. United Way of the Wine Country is a local autonomous organization making local decisions on how monies are raised and how monies are spent. We are not governed by a national organization, nor do we follow mandated policies and procedures.
We're focused on the critical local issues like health, education and financial stability. We address these important issues through our Community Fund: Supporting Youth Development, Maintaining Senior Independence, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises.
We all have special interests, and we would not ask you to support United Way at the expense of another charitable organization. But there are critical issues in our community that cannot be solved by a single agency alone. United Way's coordinated planning and needs assessment programs ensure that your gift will be used wisely and effectively to meet our area's most critical needs as a whole.
We do far more than just fundraising. United Way is a partner in change, working with a broad range of people and organizations to identify and resolve pressing community issues. Our fundraising efforts are one way that we bring about positive change in individual lives and community conditions because the campaign gives us the ability to fund needed services, programs and county-based initiatives. However, United Way also works to:
Your United Way contribution stays right here in Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt and Del Norte counties, unless you designate it elsewhere. United Way dollars are targeted to meet critical community needs in the county and invest in long-term solutions to solve the most critical issues, like ensuring all children have adequate health care coverage and reducing child abuse rates.
Chances are, you or someone you know will use a United Way member agency service or program in your lifetime. When you consider the tremendous range of services provided by United Way funded programs, you or a family member will probably use one of the services at some point in time. Perhaps a family will need other services our agencies provide. Whatever the occasion, United Way funded programs meet the needs of thousands of people in our service area, assuring all of us a better place to live, work, and play.
You can rely on United Way's well-trained volunteers to ensure that your gift is invested to make the greatest impact. Allocation amounts are determined by local volunteers, who carefully consider priority community needs, agency budget requests, performance, and available funding capabilities. Their recommendations are then reviewed and approved by United Way's entire volunteer Board of Directors.
Approximately 76 cents of every dollar donated to United Way's annual campaign goes directly to support agency services and other United Way programs that help people in need. Only about 24 cents helps support administrative and fundraising costs. National charity watchdog organizations report that 25 cents per dollar is average for operating costs, and that up to 40 cents is acceptable. United Way of the Wine Country is always striving to make the most efficient and effective use of your contributions to the annual campaign.
In order to reimburse United Way for processing expenses, a 16% processing fee is charged on all contributions designated to a specific agency.
