Campaign Frequently Asked Questions
1) Who does Orange County United Way help?
People served through Orange County United Way funded programs come from all walks of life, representing all ethnic, social and religious backgrounds – no matter what their income level. In Orange County, one person out of every three directly benefits from United Way funded programs and services such as emergency assistance, mentorships for at-risk youth, financial literacy programs, and affordable day care. Anyone can turn to United Way partner agencies for help. Funds are distributed where they will do the most good for the whole community, and indirectly we all benefit from living and working in a stronger community.
2) How much of the funds raised by Orange County United Way are used for administrative expenses?
Orange County United Way is recognized as one of the best examples of cost efficient fundraising. An extensive network of over 2,000 local volunteers solicit and distribute the money raised, keeping administrative costs to a minimum. Volunteers keep United Way costs low and enable 80 cents of every dollar to go directly to help local people in need.
Orange County United Way has one of the lowest overhead costs of any non-profit organization in the county. In short, contributing to Orange County United Way is the best way to help the most people.
3) Who determines which programs get funded?
A team of volunteers work together to make informed decisions about which agencies receive funding from Orange County United Way. Strict guidelines must be adhered to in order to receive and maintain United Way funding. Any non-profit organization that meets the grant criteria may apply for United Way funding each year.
4) Since my spouse gives for both of us, does than mean I shouldn’t give?
No. Orange County United Way depends on every working person to give his or her contribution. By everyone giving at the workplace, we all benefit from the additional programs and services these donations help support.
5) Why does United Way have payroll deduction and few others do?
The access of charitable organizations to fundraising in the workplace (and to payroll deduction), is determined by individual companies and organizations. Workplace campaigns are appealing because Orange County United Way offers a convenient full Donor Choice program that allows contributors to give their gift directly to the non-profit of their choice provided it conforms to federal standards, and has a stated health and human service mission.
Most organizations do support United Way because of the numerous advantages offered by this type of combined campaigning. Through United Way, organizations can demonstrate their corporate responsibility to the community through a system which is efficient and accountable. It makes maximum use of the limited time for charitable appeals in the workplace by supporting important health and human service programs with a “once a year” campaign. United Way directs contributed funds toward priority needs through the efforts of hundreds of volunteers representing all parts of our community.
6) Can I decide how Orange County United Way uses my donation?
Through Orange County United Way’s pledge form system, donors are able to determine for themselves how they would like their gift to be used in the community. Donors can choose to designate all or part of their gift to the following areas:
- Community Care Fund – Gifts designated to the Community Care Fund are utilized to create the maximum community impact. Local volunteers decide which programs to fund based on the priority community needs:
- Helping children & Youth Succeed,
- Promoting Financial Stability
- Promoting Health & Well-being.
- Choosing to give directly to one of the above mentioned community needs,
- Or, choosing to contribute to any non-profit health & human service agency rather than giving to United Way. This is called Donor Choice.
7) Can nonprofit organizations currently receiving United Way funds also receive money through Donor Choice?
Yes. Orange County United Way must honor all designations through the Donor Choice program. Those agencies whose programs are funded by United Way will also receive any money designated to them through Donor Choice in addition to any United Way grant funding they receive.
