| 5,939 people who could not afford prescription medication were connected to long-term prescription solutions. |
| 10,993 people received free or discounted legal services to assist them and their families in times of crisis. |
| 15,514 area youth enhanced their understanding of pregnancy prevention. |
"Be the change you want to see in the world."
-Mahatma Gandhi
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Is our United Way going to be merged into the Cincinnati United Way?
No.
Especially given the challenging economy, the United Way Board felt
that the merger warranted exploration. However, the volunteers
were not convinced that it was the best path to meet Dayton’s needs and
to resolve our local challenges. The proposed plan did not
demonstrate significant cost reductions and lacked assurance that
Dayton would benefit in the long-term from anticipated revenue growth.
How
much does United Way spend on overhead?
Only
16% of the annual campaign pledges is used for administration and
fundraising. On the most recent IRS Form 990 (for fiscal year
2007-2008) United Way’s overhead was just under 19%. This figure
is slightly higher than the campaign overhead cap, as it includes other
revenue and expenses United Way incurs for administrative activities
such as running the Combined Federal Campaign and managing the pension
for United Way Partner Agencies. The United Way volunteer and
staff leadership is committed to maximizing dollars for services and
minimizing internal expenses. United Way’s administrative costs
are among the lowest in the community – well below the Better Business
Bureau guidelines of not more than 35% for fundraising and 50% for
total overhead.
What were the extent of cuts to the agencies and United Way this year?
The
2008 campaign was down 19.5% and designations (contributions directed
to specific agencies) made up a greater percentage of the total
campaign. The combined result was that the dollars available for
the Community Solutions fund were down by 24%. Determining how to
spread this reduction was an arduous task for the volunteers because
all of the programs have demonstrated they meet a priority need and
deliver a high quality service. Some one-year programs were not
renewed. Prescription assistance programs were consolidated into
one agency. In making other cuts, the volunteers looked at:
priority needs in the current economy; United Way funding as a percent
of total agency or program budget; and agency percentage of the total
allocable pool. United Way cut its operating budget 26% including
painful staff reductions and putting the building up for sale.
Why are dollars for the Community Solutions Fund (or undesignated gifts) so important?
The
Community Solutions Fund is where the power of the United Way really
goes to work. Knowledgeable volunteers direct those dollars to
proven programs that achieve results in the priority areas of
Education, Income, and Health. United Way is not a
middleman. You can’t have an orchestra without a conductor.
United Way conducts a coordinated network of services provided by 78
Partner Agencies to meet needs and solve problems before they
happen. United Way studies the needs and fills gaps. No one
else is doing this. No one else looks at the big picture the way
United Way does.
What is United Way of the Greater Dayton Area’s designations policy?
Donors
may direct up to 100% of their contribution within the United Way of
the Greater Dayton Area’s network of services, including to the 78
Partner Agencies and neighboring United Ways. If they wish to
support a 501(c)(3) health or human service organization that is not a
Partner Agency, they may direct up to half of their total pledge
to outside the network. The balance of the gift can then be
directed anyway they wish within our local United Way network.
This win-win policy is based on an “and” not “or” approach – to
maximize funds available for the community allocation process to
support programs addressing priority needs, while also allowing donors
to direct how their contributions will support local health and human
services.
Do designations to Partner agencies
make a difference?
Yes,
since 1990, designations to Partner Agencies have been a separate
stream of funding from the Community Solutions Fund. Many people
still mistakenly believe that designations are the “first dollars in”
towards a Partner Agency’s allocation from the volunteer process, but
in actuality the two funding streams are intentionally kept completely
separate.
What is pledge loss?
Not all
the money pledged in the campaign is collected due to people moving,
changing jobs, or other reasons. Obviously, this money cannot be
spent. United Way works to drive that number down to increase the
dollars available for local services. With the economy in
turmoil, however, in recent years that figure has averaged 9%.
What accountability standards does
United Way have in place?
All
United Way financial records are handled in accordance with American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants guidelines and Financial
Accounting Standards Board standards for all nonprofit
organizations. A volunteer Finance Committee, chaired by the
Board Treasurer, oversees the financial operations. Each year
United Way is audited by an independent accounting firm (currently
Brady Ware) and consistently receives a “clean” audit. United Way
practices full voluntary disclosure of its financial records.
What
happened to the former president of United Way of America?
United
Way of America is the national membership organization where, in 1992,
allegations were raised regarding the president’s expense
practices. He served a seven-year sentence in prison. Our
local United Way stopped paying dues until we were convinced that
United Way of America had controls in place to be fiscally accountable,
and NCR made a special donation to replace any local money that might
have been misused. Since then United Way of America has been well
managed and accountable to local United Ways.
Someone I know gave to United Way for years but did not get help when he or she needed it, so why should I give now?
United
Way’s HelpLink 2-1-1 works diligently to connect every caller with
services that can help and the Partner Agencies try very hard to serve
everyone who contacts them. Unfortunately, there may be obstacles
such as waiting lists for appointments and limited or strained
resources. Sometimes the service offered is not what the person
expects. If he or she is hoping to receive direct financial
assistance, those resources are extremely scarce because they address
the symptom but not the long-term solution to a problem.
When will I get a tax receipt for my
gift?
Receipts for cash, check or stock gifts over
$250 will be mailed January of the year following the donation in time
for your year-end tax preparation.
How do I claim my payroll
deduction gift on my taxes?
To claim this
deduction, you will need both your year-end payroll stub documenting
the donation and either a copy of your pledge card, a print out of your
e-Pledge confirmation, a copy of your thank-you card/letter from us or a
tax notice from United Way of the Greater Dayton Area. We will mail you
a tax notice in mid-December to remind you to save your last pay stub
and claim your deduction.
How do I claim non-payroll gifts
as a deduction?
A copy of your canceled check,
your credit card statement, or your stock broker statement showing
payment to United Way of the Greater Dayton Area is needed.
Alternately, for gifts over $250, we will provide a separate receipt.
If
my gift is paid by check, does the date on the check always satisfy IRS
rules on when I can claim the deduction?
No. If the payment is made late in the year, the United Way uses the
post mark date to determine for which tax year the substantiation
letter will be sent. Otherwise, the canceled check date would be
sufficient proof of the applicable tax year (please save your canceled
check or bank statement). As an added convenience to you, the United
Way has the ability to receive a gift up until Midnight on 12/31.
Please call (937) 225-3001 to make arrangements.
How do I claim cash gifts as a
deduction?
All cash gifts must have a receipt.
Employee Campaign Coordinators may receive receipts from their campaign
manager to issue to donors giving less than $25. For amounts over that,
either you must complete a pledge card with your gift, or you can call
United Way's finance department at (937) 225-3001.
Can I claim my raffle ticket as a donation?
No.
Donations can only be claimed for gifts where you received no goods or
services.
If
no goods or services can be received, can I still claim my donation
if my employer offered a prize for participation?
Yes,
as the prize is a gift from your employer and not United Way.
I designated my gift to an agency through the United Way. Do I
need a separate receipt from the agency?
No. The IRS only recognizes the charitable organization to which the
dollars are paid directly. A receipt from the designated agency will
NOT be accepted by the IRS. If you've received a document from the
designated agency, this is simply an acknowledgment of your pledge.
Becoming a United Way Partner Agency
To become a United Way Partner Agency, your
organization's primary
mission and purpose, as documented by the by-laws and deliverables,
must be to provide a health or human service, as described in the Guidelines
for Defining Health and Human Services for Partner Agencies.
If this fits your organization, and you choose to apply, please submit
the documentation specified in the Standards for
Partner Agencies
(including either your most recent BBB certificate or accreditation
letter from an approved accrediting organization). You will also need
submit any existing policies or plans that you may have related to the
three additional standards on nondiscrimination, diversity and ethics.
In addition to the above, you will need to
submit your
organization's most recent 990, audit and any printed materials about
your agency. You must sign and submit the Patriot Act
Compliance Form.
When all of your information is ready to be submitted, please call
Tanisha Jumper, Senior Director, Community Impact at (937)
225-3031 to schedule an appointment.
Any health or Human Service Organization may
apply to be a United
Way Partner. Applications are accepted throughout the year. For information on applying for partnership, please read
below. Feel free to contact Tanisha Jumper at (937) 225-3031 or tanishaj@dayton-unitedway.org
for additional information.
All of this documentation is only necessary if you wish to be a Partner
with the United Way as specified in the 2006 Agreement of
Participation so you can understand the mutual benefits and
responsibilities of United Way Partnership. The 2006
Agreement of Participation should not be signed until after you have
received confirmation that the Standards were met
and your organization is approved by as a Partner by United Way 's
Organizational Review Committee, Community Partnerships Council, and
the Board of Directors. |
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