• It’s local. Your money goes to use right here in the Southern Tier.
• It’s accountable. Volunteers decide which programs receive funds and ensure that services are high quality and meet the needs of the community.
• It’s efficient. Utilizing hundreds of community volunteers helps to keep costs low.
• It’s effective. By bringing the community together, we accomplish much more than any one person or organization can alone.

Q: Why should I give to the Community Campaign?
A: If you want your gift to have the greatest possible impact, please select the “community fund” choice when you make your United Way pledge. A gift to the Community Fund offers you a chance to join thousands of others who are tackling our community’s toughest human care problems, and offers assurance that the programs you’re supporting will make the most impact. There is no other organization or process that takes on the challenge of planning, coordinating and helping people succeed the way United Way does. We bring people together to agree on what needs to be done, decide how to do it, and then hold ourselves accountable for results.

Q: I want my gift to go to a specific service provider. Why should I go through United Way to do that?
A: One gift to United Way means you’re making a gift to the entire community. Plus, you’ll have the convenience of payroll deduction (if your company allows). United Way’s combined fund raising efforts allow area agencies to focus more time on their primary purpose – helping people. To keep overall administrative costs down, United Way does require a minimum donation to each designated agency. Please note that funds that are donor-directed to non-United Way agencies do not receive program or fiscal oversight from United Way.

Q: Is my United Way contribution tax deductible?
A: Yes. United Way is a nonprofit organization classified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Please consult your tax advisor for information on your specific situation.

Q: Can I designate my contribution to a particular charity?
A: Yes, but don’t overlook the value of United Way’s Community Fund. You may designate a portion of your total contribution to any non-profit organization, and you can give some to the Community Fund.

Q: Who decides how much money the agencies get?
A: United Way funding decisions are made by local volunteers. Over 100 local volunteers put in many hours to invest United Way Campaign dollars in local human service programs that are most needed and do the most good. Investment volunteers are critical to our mission to build a stronger community by investing in programs that help people improve their lives.

Q: How much of my contribution goes to local programs?
A: Eighty-two and a half cents (82.3%) of every dollar committed to the 2006 United Way campaign went directly to local community building initiatives and program supports, including what United Way uses for its community building activities like Day of Caring and 2-1-1. In 2006, the full distribution of the campaign includes:

• Community Building Initiatives & Program Supports  82.2%
• Administrative & Fund Raising Expenses  12.3%
• Pledge Loss  5.5%
• Total  100.0%

For additional details about how United Way of the Southern Tier invests in our community, please CLICK HERE. Another great source for financial and program information is our annual report.

Q: How does United Way know that my money really helps people?
A: United Way investment volunteers track results and community impact.

Agency programs are funded based on the agency's ability to achieve results in helping people improve their lives. As a condition of their funding, agencies are required to report results to United Way on a regular basis.

Q: Why do agencies need money from United Way? Doesn't the government fund their programs?
A: United Way is the largest funder of human services aside from government in Chemung and Steuben Counties. Agencies rely on several funding sources to continue offering vital services to the community. In many cases, United Way funding helps agencies to expand their government funding opportunities by demonstrating that the program has local financial support.

Q: My spouse gives at work. Why should I give?
A: If your spouse or partner supports United Way, that’s great! Your gift is just as important. Contributions based on your total family income help close the gap of unmet service needs in the Southern Tier. Additionally, we recognize couples who give $500 or more annually as Leadership Givers through special events and publications.

Q: Are people forced into giving?
A: United Way has always supported the concept of voluntary giving. Occasionally companies or volunteers will get so enthusiastic about their role in helping United Way that they might appear to be “twisting arms”. United Way stresses the importance of voluntary giving and discourages coercion of any kind.

Q: I can’t afford to give to United Way.
A: Making ends meet is a concern for many of us. However, when you give to United Way, you are helping those who simply cannot make ends meet. You are helping the jobless, the elderly, and others who need you more than you can imagine. Every person’s gift makes an impact, and together they can add up to a life-changing difference for someone in need. By using payroll deduction, you can direct a small amount of money from each paycheck to help others. As much as an hour’s pay per month can have a tremendous impact.

Q: Our employees and their families are suffering the effects of the economy. We can’t ask them to give.
A: You empower people when you give them the opportunity to give even a small amount to help others. We recommend allowing people to make their own personal decisions. Often, it’s the people who have struggled and needed a helping hand from their community that want to give one or two dollars per paycheck to help others. We recommend you offer your employees a fun, no pressure, education-focused campaign. At the very least, people will learn about places they or their friends can go for help or places to volunteer in our community.

Q: I volunteer – that’s my contribution.
A: Volunteer work is very important, but in order to continue providing services to our community, the agencies also need your financial support.

Q: I never use agency services. Why should I give?
A: The strength of a community is directly influenced by health, happiness and the well being of its residents. Everyday United Way of the Southern Tier-funded programs are helping people – your friends, coworkers, and neighbors – deal with many health and human service problems, and help to build a stronger community through education, support and development programs. Your continuing financial and volunteer support assures that help is there for everyone when it is needed. While you and your family may not need help from these programs today, you or someone you may need them in the future. Chances are you have already been touched by agency services and did not even know it!

Q: Do United Way agencies only serve the poor?
A: No. Agencies and programs receiving United Way funding serve not only low-income families, but offer programs used by everyone.  And even if your family never has to call on a domestic violence shelter, or a substance abuse program, your contribution helps to assure these programs will be there if you need them.

Q: Who benefits from my gift?
A: In a word – everyone! Your neighbors, co-workers, even your own family may have used United Way-funded programs. Emergency food, shelter and other crisis prevention programs for those needing help are just the beginning. If you have a child in an after-school program or in Scouts or an elderly parent who receives in-home care or meals, you have benefited. There are countless examples of people touched by United Way that add up to creating a healthy, vibrant, caring community.

Q: Even though United Way doesn’t give direct assistance, how does it help the community in time of a disaster or flood?
A: United Way does this by funding agencies that provide extensive relief services including food, shelter, clothing and emergency medical aid. If disaster strikes locally, your United Way dollars will be put to work immediately, right here in our community.

Q: Why do United Way-funded agencies conduct their own fund raising campaigns?
A: Strong not-for-profits diversify their funding so they don’t have to rely on just one source. United Way-funded agencies are no exception. Although people in Steuben and Chemung Counties are very generous, funds raised through United Way’s campaign are not enough to address all human care needs in the Southern Tier. Funds raised through United Way are only used to support specific programs, and that means the full cost of running an agency must be covered in other ways. However, we do ask that agencies refrain from supplemental fundraising during the annual United Way campaign.

Q: Is United Way of the Southern Tier different from United Way of America?
A: Yes. United Way of America is a trade association of independent United Ways throughout the country, each separate and autonomous. It has its own board and volunteers. It does not make policies for local United Ways, but does set standards of excellence related to financial management, branding, and community impact, and assists in building relationships with national companies and organizations.

Q: How can I give to United Way of the Southern Tier?
A: It’s convenient and easy. Just decide how much you want to give, and sign your pledge card. Your donation will be deducted from your paycheck, if you choose, and sent to United Way of the Southern Tier, and then on to the programs serving people who need it most. If you do not have a workplace campaign, you can give online or by mailing a check.