What is United Way of Central Arkansas?

We are a local nonprofit organization that brings our community together and focuses resources on the most critical human care needs in the area. By partnering with government, business, nonprofits and individuals we're able to monitor the needs of our community and respond quickly as issues and opportunities arise. As a convener, collaborator, funder and leader in addressing health and human service issues,

United Way of Central Arkansas fulfills a unique role in making our community a better place.

Why should I give to United Way?

When you give to United Way, you help provide solutions to the most critical human care issues in our community. You become part of a coordinated, community-wide effort that brings about the changes that matter most where you live and work. We maximize your gift by combining your contribution with others and strategically investing in results-driven programs and initiatives. Giving hope to kids, families, seniors and people with disabilities, you help address the most pressing issues in our community. Plus, with the ease of payroll deduction, you can help others and improve the quality of life in our community without the financial challenge of a one-time donation.

Fundraising is just one part of the immense value United Way of Central Arkansas brings to our community. United Way fulfills a unique and vital role in our community by monitoring needs, identifying critical issues and bringing together government, business, nonprofits and individuals to achieve results that matter. Trained volunteers, along with United Way expertise, help ensure that your gift is invested to achieve the greatest impact on the issues that matter most.

Is United Way a

national or local organization?

United Way of Central Arkansas is a local, autonomous nonprofit organization. Like the more than 1,300 United Ways across the country, we are governed by a local volunteer board of directors. We pay nominal dues to United Way of America in exchange for important cost-saving services such as staff training, community research information, campaign products, national advertising and ongoing consultation.

Why does United Way have administrative costs?

In the business of community impact, United Way of Central Arkansas incurs costs for fundraising, year-round support of our fundraising, marketing and core business operations such as accounting, human resources and overall organizational management. As careful stewards of our donors' gifts to the community, we operate with the utmost efficiency and effectiveness. Approximately 85 cents of every dollar is invested in local programs and initiatives that improve lives and deliver results that matter.

What is a fair amount to give?

As a guide to giving, United Way suggests a fair contribution is one hour's pay per month for hourly employees and/or 1% of annual income for salaried employees. A suggested giving guideline is not a demand - it's based on what it costs to provide the important services we help support. Obliviously, no one knows your circumstances, so what you give is your decision.

I am already on a tight budget. How can I afford to give more?

Every gift matters! Even a modest gift per pay period can help provide solutions to the most critical human care needs in our community. And by giving through payroll deduction, you can spread your gift over the coming year making it more manageable than a one-time gift.

Why should I invest in services I don't use?

It is estimated that at any given time, one in three people is benefiting from a United Way partner agency or program, yet less than one in ten contribute to United Way. Many people use United Way services without ever realizing it. If your child participates in Scouts or goes to the Boys and Girls Club after school, you are benefiting directly from United Way's support. You may have an elderly relative who gets meals delivered by the Senior Citizens Center, another United Way member agency.

But what if I am sure that I'm not using a United Way service?

The strength of a community is directly influenced by the health, happiness and well-being of its residents. Every day, United Way funded agencies and programs are helping people - your friends, co-workers and neighbors - deal with many health and human service challenges. Your continuing financial investment and volunteer support assure that help is there when it is needed. While it's possible you may never use United Way services, it's nice to know these services exist in case you ever do need them. In addition, our funded programs save millions of tax-payer dollars each year through the services they provide. If provided exclusively by the government, many of the services provided by partner agencies would cost much more in taxes - your taxes.

Are United Way

services just for the poor?

Many people give because there are people in the community who need help - people who really cannot help themselves as much as they would like, such as an abused child, a handicapped youngster, a hungry or homeless family, or a senior citizen. The dollars you invest in United Way are spent where they will do the most good for the entire community. Partner agencies' programs are aimed at helping all people, regardless of their income. There are very few people in Faulkner County who do not know a family member, neighbor, co-worker, or someone in their church who benefits from services provided with United Way funding.

How is United Way of Faulkner County held accountable?

United Way of Faulkner County prides itself on being a trustworthy and accountable organization. A volunteer committee of financial experts meets year-round, monitoring the organization's financial position. We maintain high standards of operation and are reviewed each year by an independent auditor, who verifies that our financial statements fairly present the financial position of United Way of Central Arkansas. In addition, our financial information, including our Form 990, is posted on our website for public review.

How do I know that my donation will help those who need it most?

A group of knowledgeable community volunteers carefully invest United Way contributions in local programs. These dedicated volunteers range from community volunteers to business leaders. They carefully monitor community needs, meet with local health and human service agencies, review each agency's requests for program funding and invest your contribution in programs that improve lives and address the most critical human care issues.

Why should I give to United Way instead of directly to an agency?

There are several reasons why supporting United Way is the best way to help the most people in our community:

By investing in results, you are able to impact the most pressing health and human care needs in our community. We ensure that your gift is helping to improve lives and create lasting and meaningful change.

Community volunteers carefully review each United Way-funded program on an annual basis. Their oversight ensures agencies adhere to sound fiscal policies and that your contribution is invested in programs that do the most good.

Giving through United Way reduces costly and time-consuming fundraising efforts for the agencies providing programs. This enables them to better spend their time helping people in need. Also, substantial fundraising for some of our lesser-known agencies with small staffs is not possible.

When you give through your workplace campaign, your gift can be spread out over the course of a year through payroll deduction, making it easier for you to support the human care needs of our community.

When you give to United Way, your gift is invested with the contributions of others to help provide a continuum of care for those most in need.

Many of the programs we fund are able to match United Way dollars, some as much as $10 to $1, with other grants because our dollars are considered sustainable, whereas donations from individuals are not.

Is my United Way

contribution tax

deductible?

Yes, your contribution is tax deductible if you itemize your deductions.

Ask us!

If you have a question that was not addressed here, please contact us. We want to hear your concerns and answer your questions.

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