Frequently Asked Questions

What is United Way of Snohomish County?

United Way of Snohomish County is a local, nonprofit organization. We bring the community together to identify our most critical conditions and create lasting solutions. To do that, we raise charitable contributions, forge new partnerships, advocate for change, and invest in programs and services that deliver measurable results and building stronger communities.

I already donate to charity. Why should I give to United Way also?

Because no other single organization meets all of the needs addressed by United Way, many people choose to include United Way in their overall charitable giving. But United Way does much more than simply collect and distribute money to charitable organizations.

  • United Way is focused on addressing our most pressing issues, with specific goals for kids, families and our whole community.
  • By combining our gifts we make a stronger impact, from quality childcare to housing for the homeless, and from crises relief to job placement.
  • We not only fund programs that are meeting people’s needs today, we’re working on innovation solutions for lasting change.
  • United Way also makes it easy to give through your workplace or directly. This greater convenience raises the level of philanthropy for the whole community.
  • United Way also makes it easy to connect by volunteering.
  • Best of all, you’ll see the impact of your gift right in your own local community.

Why should I give my money to United Way and not just directly to agencies?

There are several reasons why giving directly to United Way is the best choice for your charitable investment:

    • United Way carefully studies the community to pinpoint our most pressing needs. It also identifies the programs that are most effective at meeting a given need. This research and careful stewardship is valuable to donors who want their contribution to make the greatest difference for people in our community.
    • Needs are not one-dimensional. United Way funds a network of care to ensure that all the services needed in our community are available.
    • United Way affiliation enables agencies to leverage more public and private dollars in addition to their United Way funding. This multiplies the effect of your contribution.
    • United Way monitors agency programs that receive United Way funding to ensure they adhere to sound fiscal policies and provide effective services. United Way cannot provide this same oversight of donations designated directly to agencies.
    • Giving through United Way reduces costly and time-consuming fundraising efforts for the agencies, so their time can be spent helping others.

How is my contribution invested?

United Way focuses on needs important to people who live and work in this community—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 directly to the United Way, you tap into the strength of Vision Councils who volunteer their time year-round to make sure your gift 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, including fundraising and management, were 16% in 2006.

Read more about where your contribution goes.

Why should I give through payroll deduction at my workplace?

Your United Way campaign offers a number of advantages for you as a donor. It’s efficient: With lower fundraising costs, more money can be invested in our community. It’s convenient: Once a year, you decide how much you want to invest, and the donation comes right out of your paycheck. Spreading your giving throughout the year makes it easier to give significantly and still stay within your own budget.

Why does United Way support some agencies and not others?

Funding agency programs is one of the ways United Way is improving lives. We currently support 93 local programs. Applications for United Way funding can be made by any local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is working to produce measurable outcomes, effective results and is meet priority needs for people:

    • Helping kids and youth succeed
    • Building stronger families
    • Providing basic needs such as housing, food, shelter and healthcare
    • Supporting those with health and disability issues
    • Enabling older adults to live independently
    • Providing relief or support in crisis
    • Decreasing isolation and building a stronger community

In some cases, an agency may not choose to apply for United Way funding because of its policies or because it does 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.

Last year, 300,000 participants used 93 programs funded by United Way. These programs reach neighborhoods and communities throughout Snohomish County. Anyone who has learned to swim at the YMCA, taken a Red Cross first aid course or called the community information line has been served by a United Way partner agency.

Can I target part of my gift to a specific nonprofit?

Yes. Through United Way of Snohomish County you can give to any 501(c)(3). You can support your favorite cause through United Way even though that particular organization may not receive a United Way grant. United Way can’t hold agencies that don’t receive our grants to our standards of accountability. In other words, gifts designated by the donor to other agencies do not receive the same monitoring and oversight. Your gift directed to United Way will have the greatest, measured impact, assuring that the most critical health and human service issues in our community will be addressed. 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 donation?

Yes. You may use it to donate online, through your workplace campaign, or over the phone by calling 425.374.5513.

I feel as if I'm being pressured to give to United Way.

United Way of Snohomish County believes that giving is a personal matter. Pressure to give is not only unacceptable, but it is wrong. We find that the most responsive contributors are those who have the opportunity to become informed and involved.