Media Resources

MEDIA FACT SHEET ABOUT UNITED WAY OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA

What is United Way?
United Way is recognized worldwide as a leader in building stronger communities. It brings people and resources together to make effective, positive and lasting impact in the lives of millions of Americans in need of support.

United Way of the National Capital Area (UWNCA) is the regional organization serving eight communities in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. UWNCA’s goal is to create a positive impact on individuals and communities through strategic giving.

UWNCA conducts fundraising and marketing activities on behalf of nearly 900 nonprofits, allowing these organizations to focus on what they do best — provide direct, hands-on assistance to more than one million children and adults in need each year. Your gift enables member agencies to meet the community’s most pressing needs, such as ensuring families have food and shelter, children succeed and adults become self-sufficient.

How is UWNCA addressing key social issues in our region?
Solving wide-ranging community problems requires an integrated approach, a broad vision, and financial support for vital resources. By funding programs and services offered by member agencies, UWNCA’s Community Impact Fund uses this approach to respond to critical needs in specific communities and throughout the entire Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

But what really makes the Community Impact Fund special is that it gives communities control over their own destinies—a voice in determining their priorities. With contributions coming from local residents through workplace and individual donations, the Community Impact Fund gives donors an opportunity to join with their neighbors in making a difference to improve services and the lives of those in need in the regions where they live. And because they know their communities better than anyone else, committees of regional leaders from the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors award Community Impact Fund grants to organizations in their areas. These committee members understand the most pressing needs in their neighborhoods and have seen firsthand which programs create positive change. It is important to remember that you can designate your donation to a local Community Impact Fund, a specific area of critical need in your community, and a charity of your choice, or a combination of the three.

What steps has United Way taken to ensure that the organization commands the trust of its donors and supporters?

During the past four years, UWNCA has experienced an incredible turnaround. UWNCA has tightened its financial controls, streamlined the organization and created an open, accountable management structure.

In rebuilding and reorganizing its financial structure, UWNCA instituted new practices that improve its ability to meet the needs of the community. For example, the UWNCA chose to voluntarily comply with appropriate provisions set forth in the Sarbanes Oxley Act 2002, including some of the costly internal controls aimed at preventing fraud in corporations.

Additionally, to avoid misunderstandings about financial reporting practices, UWNCA no longer reports campaign projections. Beginning with the 2005-2006 campaign, UWNCA only announces funds that have been audited.

Why give to United Way – why not give directly to the charity?
Nonprofits rely on your support to help them achieve their missions. Nonprofits receive donations on a sporadic and inconsistent basis, making it difficult for them to plan their budgets and programs. Each year they anticipate the collective donations they receive from the United Way to help them budget for the year. When you give to United Way your gift is coupled with those of others who care about the causes you do – and makes a direct and immediate impact. By leveraging resources, your gift enables local agencies to meet the community’s most pressing needs.

What is UWNCA’s administrative fee?
UWNCA is now using a lower administrative fee for conducting its fundraising, fund distribution and year-round operations by instituting a new four-tier fee structure: a flat fee of $600 for individual contributions over $10,000; 8 percent for gifts from approved new accounts and organizations that use on-line pledging; 10 percent for contributions to UWNCA member agencies; and 12.5 percent for pledges to non-member agencies.

Some organizations whose employees have expressed concerns about the processing fees have graciously covered the costs of their campaigns’ administrative fees as corporate gifts. This is not only a great incentive for staff to get involved, but it also helps companies demonstrate their responsiveness to their employees’ wishes.

How is the money distributed?
Contributions to the United Way campaign are distributed quarterly according to the donor’s requests. Donors can choose to support the Community Impact Fund, donate to a fund in their community, designate their gift to a specific United Way agency or can write-in any IRS recognized nonprofit of their choice. Undesignated contributions are divided up amongst then UWNCA’s eight Washington metro regions and allocated to agencies that meet the most critical local needs.