Frequently Asked Questions
- What is United Way of Snohomish County?
- I already give to charity. Why should I give to United Way?
- Why should I give my money to United Way and not just directly to agencies?
- How is my gift invested?
- What is United Way's operating cost?
- Why should I give through payroll deduction at my workplace?
- Why does United Way support some agencies and not others?
- I never use agency services, so why should I give?
- Can I target part of my gift to a specific nonprofit?
- Can I use my credit card to make a gift?
- Why doesn't United Way fund the Boy Scouts?
- Who was William Aramony?
What is United Way of Snohomish County?
United Way of Snohomish County is a local, nonprofit organization advancing the common good. We focus on the building blocks of a good life: successful kids, financially stable families and healthy communities. Our goal is to create lasting change by addressing the underlying causes of problems. To do that, we involve the community in giving, advocating for change and volunteering.
I already give to charity. Why should
I give to United Way?
Because no other organization meets all of the needs addressed by United Way.
- United Way focuses on the most pressing issues for our kids, families and community.
- Your contribution works right here in your own community.
- United Way not only meets needs today, we're working on solutions for lasting change.
- United Way makes it easy to give and raises the level of philanthropy for the whole community. Together, we make a stronger impact.
Why should I give my money to United Way and not just directly to agencies?
United Way does much more than simply collect and distribute money. Through its Local Community Fund (LCF), United Way provides a strong ARM for community change: Assessing needs, Responding and Measuring results.
- United Way monitors programs that receive grants to ensure they follow sound fiscal policies and provide effective services. Careful stewardship is valuable to donors who want their contribution to make the greatest impact. (This oversight is not provided for donations designated directly to agencies.)
- United Way works two ways: meeting immediate needs and addressing the underlying causes of problems for long-term results.
- United Way looks for gaps and duplications to ensure that the services needed in our community are available.
- United Way affiliation enables agencies to leverage public and private funding. This multiplies the effect of your contribution.
- Giving through United Way reduces fundraising efforts for the agencies, so their time and money can be spent helping others.
How is my gift invested?
United Way focuses on helping kids succeed, building stronger families, enabling older adults to live independently, supporting those with health and disability issues, providing relief in crisis and creating vital neighborhoods.
When you give to United Way's LCF, you tap into the strength of Vision Councils who volunteer their time year-round to make sure your contribution is invested in local programs and services that are achieving the most impact.
What is United Way's operating cost?
United Way of Snohomish County's operating costs were 19.4% in 2010. This is considered excellent by charity watchdog organizations like the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance.
Read more about where your gift goes.
Why should I give through payroll deduction at my workplace?
Payroll deduction offers a number of advantages. It's efficient: lower fundraising costs mean more money is invested in our community. It's convenient: you decide what to contribute and it comes right out of your paycheck a little at a time. It's secure, confidential and automatically ends should you leave your job for any reason.
Why does United Way support some agencies and not others?
United Way funds solutions. Providing grants to agencies is one way of achieving our goals. We currently fund 102 local programs that provide critical services, produce measurable and effective results and meet priority needs for people.
In making grants, we look for programs that:
- Help kids and youth succeed
- Build stronger families
- Provide basic needs such as housing, food, shelter and healthcare
- Support those with health and disability issues
- Enable older adults to live independently
- Provide relief or support in crisis
- Decrease isolation and build a stronger community
Any 501(c)3 nonprofit may apply for a grant. In some cases, an agency chooses not to apply because its policies do not meet United Way's rigorous standards.
I never use agency services, so why should I give?
You never know when you, a member of your family or a neighbor may need a United Way service. Job loss, loss of a loved one, illness, accidents, disabilities, family problems, natural disasters, mental disorders and the problems of growing up and growing old know no boundaries.
Nearly 347,000 participants use 102 programs funded by United Way. These programs reach neighborhoods and communities throughout Snohomish County. Anyone who has learned to swim at the Y, taken a American Red Cross first aid course or called 2-1-1 has been served by a United Way partner agency.
Can I target part of my gift to a specific nonprofit?
Yes. Through United Way you can give to any 501(c)3; however, gifts designated by the donor do not receive the same monitoring that United Way provides for undesignated contributions given out through grants. Contributions designated to a specific agency that is funded by United Way of Snohomish County will be paid in addition to their United Way grant.
Can I use my credit card to make a gift?
Yes. You may use it to give online or through your workforce campaign.
Why doesn't United Way fund the Boy Scouts?
The Boy Scouts of America received a United Way of Snohomish County grant through June 2001. They have not reapplied for a grant since, although they continue to receive donor-designated gifts each year through United Way.
Any 501(c)3 nonprofit may apply for a grant from United Way; however, a nondiscrimination policy approved by our board requires all agencies seeking funding to affirm their commitment to include all segments of the community without regard to race, creed, color, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status or ability.
Who was William Aramony?
William Aramony served as president and CEO of United Way of America from 1970 to 1992. In February 1992, he resigned under allegations that he conspired to defraud United Way of hundreds of thousands of dollars. He served a six-year sentence and was released in September 2001. He passed away in November 2011.
Neither United Way of America as an organization, nor any local United Ways, were charged with any wrongdoing in this matter. Although United Way of Snohomish County was never impacted directly by the illegal acts of Mr. Aramony, we took the allegations very seriously. Our board members, volunteers and staff were deeply concerned at the erosion of public trust and instances of excess and mismanagement at United Way of America (UWA). United Way is a very different organization today than it was in 1992. It has undergone major governance and structural changes, and is now a model of accountability in the non-profit sector.