Annually, one in four people in Monterey County will directly benefit from the services of a United Way Agency.

UWMC is a locally governed organization that identifies and addresses the most critical issues and needs of the people within our community. Payroll deductions provide the easiest way to contribute to high-impact local charities. What makes United Way so effective is that it helps our entire community (it is comprehensive giving), your dollars remain in the community (it is local) and it is easy! Lastly, in this era of government cutbacks, your gift helps maintain crucial programs.

United Way-funded agencies provide many services for the poor, the hungry and those in need, but there are also agencies that provide other important community services. Character building programs, violence prevention programs, friendly visitor programs, food delivery services for the elderly and emergency services are just a few that touch a broader range of our population. A gift to United Way ensures that your money will go where it is most needed and be directed to the most effective programs.

United Way is the only charity that gives allocation decisions to volunteers. Each year, trained, independent community volunteers from throughout Monterey County decide how to distribute the generous contributions of our donors. First, we select volunteers with extensive financial training review agency financial statements and tax returns. Their findings are given to one of the Allocations Panels, teams of volunteers each responsible for reviewing a group of agencies. Allocations Panels carefully review agency applications, visit each agency and review program budgets and goals as well as financial statements. Panels make recommendations to the UWMC Board of Directors on funding. Not a penny is distributed without this rigorous review of all affiliated agencies. In addition, UWMC itself is audited yearly by an independent auditor. The audit and the procedural policies of UWMC are, in turn, reviewed by the Board of Directors and the Finance Committee, which includes financial experts.

All United Way agencies provide valuable services to the community. An agency’s membership in United Way is based on specific criteria that includes guidelines for financial, program and service areas. Trained community volunteers visit and evaluate United Way agencies yearly, and funding is allocated based on community needs.

There are many United Way agencies that serve both North and South County that address many different needs, such as the YMCA, Alliance on Aging, Sunstreet Centers, Boy Scouts, Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley and Community Human Services.

First, United Way funds organizations that provide health and human services. However, not all agencies want to be a part of a single, community-wide campaign. Second, United Way standards of financial accountability and program services are high. Some agencies would like to have the United Way seal of approval but may not meet the standards and scrutiny conducted by the trained community volunteers on the oversight panels. Agencies that would like to become certified may contact UWMC to learn more about the criteria, process and timing of certification.

The best way to help the most people is by giving to the Community Fund. The best way to target your donation to innovative, measurable programs addressing the issues of Housing or Children and Youth at Risk is to give to the Community Impact Fund. However, if you wish to give a portion of your gift to a favorite charity, you may do so. UWMC recommends that you donate at least 50% of your gift to the Community Fund and we must ask that the donation be $60 minimum. We all have our favorite charities, but the problems of the community are much larger than any one agency can handle. United Way agencies offer a broad mix of programs and services to meet the diverse needs of our total community. The United Way campaign helps keep individual agency fundraising costs low.

A vast network of volunteers and the simplicity of payroll deduction keep the administrative expenses low. The percentage varies dependent on many things, but the biggest impact on overhead costs is the amount of money raised for the community. UWMC has a very low overhead expense of 20%. This figure includes both administrative and fundraising costs. Although the Better Business Bureau guideline is that up to 35% spent on overhead is acceptable, UWMC employs a far more conservative approach and consistently achieves a much lower expenditure on overhead.

Overhead expenses are divided into the costs of resource development, which includes cultivating and soliciting donors, and administrative expenses, which includes the cost of tracking pledges and receipts and distributing the funds. At UWMC approximately 10% of overhead goes to resource development. Also included in overhead are the costs related to allocation, including support for the volunteers who review member agencies and evaluate their fiscal responsibility and viability.

No, for most agencies United Way is a crucial part of their fundraising. UWMC has long-standing relationships with area businesses and has access to payroll deductions. UWMC can raise more money because it partners with volunteers from local business and recipients of services to personally request donations in the workplace. Most people are able to contribute more if they can spread their donation over the course of the year through payroll deductions rather than write a check for a one-time gift.

In addition, UWMC presentations educate the community to the pressing needs and payroll deductions offer an easy way to give.

Because people move out of the county, change jobs or businesses close, some people are not able to give the full amount pledged. Each year UWMC reconciles its books, calculates the amount that the pledges fall short and reports that as part of our annual audit. Last year, 10.25% of the pledged amount was not realized.

Nearly fifteen years ago, the CEO of United Way of America was found guilty of abuse of power in that he inappropriately used United Way funds for his own gain. He was prosecuted and sent to prison. It is important to remember that his actions were brought to light by an internal “whistleblower”, underscoring the fact that United Way would not tolerate this activity. Since that time, United Way of America has instituted strong policies and procedures to prevent this type of activity.

Yes, you can note an exclusion on your pledge form and UWMC will honor your request.