How Do You LIVE UNITED?

LIVE UNITED

Remember:  your investment helps to address these four identified Community Impact Areas:

• Education
• Income
• Health
• Basic Human Needs

Campaign Leaders Welcome Challenge to LIVE UNITED

Community volunteers drive the United Way!  The annual fund raising drive is headed by volunteer campaign leaders and coordinated by a team of volunteers assigned to particular individuals and businesses in the community.  Volunteers pass out the campaign information to their neighbors and co-workers and solicit the return of donations and pledges.

The distribution of the amount raised starts with Citizens Review Panels, comprised of over 50 local United Way donors, who hear the funding requests from the agencies supported by the United Way, and who make recommendations for distribution of the funds.  The United Way Board of Directors, again community volunteers, reviews the panel recommendations, and adjusts them if necessary as budget considerations require.  The Board oversees the operations and expenses of the United Way, making sure that it serves its intended purpose.

Thank you to our many community volunteers who make United Way truly a community organization!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is United Way?

United Way is a local, nonprofit, volunteer-based organization that focuses resources to prevent or solve the most important health and human service needs in our community.  United Way has existed for over 50 years.

Who Runs United Way?

United Way is governed by a volunteer board of directors.  Local volunteers oversee every aspect of the organization.  The board monitors all operations and requires that United Way is fiscally accountable to ensure funds are properly managed.  An external CPA conducts an annual independent audit.

Who Decides How Funds Are Distributed?

Citizen Review Panels, made up of about 50 local volunteers who are donors to United Way, study community needs and agency requests and recommend allocations that best meet the community's most pressing needs.  The Board of Directors then approves all community investment allocations. 

What Requirements Must United Way Agencies Meet?

• Be a nonprofit and human service agency that serves our local residents
• Document cost-effective delivery of high priority programs and services
• Demonstrate sound financial and administrative management practices
• Be governed by a volunteer board of directors
• Demonstrate impact through measurable outcomes-show they get results in one of more of United Ways Impact Areas
• Contact the United Way for a Basic Eligibility Requirements package of information for exact details.

What Is This Year's Campaign Goal?

$345,000

Where Does The Money Go?

What is raised locally stays local - 98.5% stays in our community.  Administrative costs are kept low so more money can be allocated to programs and servcies.

Why Should I Give If I Haven't Been Helped?

Advancing the Common Good is based on the philosophy that what is good for one person is good for the community.  A growing number of vulnerable residents - abused women and children, our elderly, homeless families, youth, and those with disabilities - cannot help themselves.  There is a great need for services offered by United Way partner agencies.  You never know when a family member, neighbor, friend or even yourself may need the help.  Helping a local resident helps the greater community, especially in the areas of Education, Income, Health and Basic Human Needs.

I Can't Afford To Give Much - Will  A Small Donation Do Any Good?

Even a modest gift per pay period or a one time contribution helps - all the donations combined together make a huge difference.  By giving through payroll deductions, you can spread your gifts over a whole year, making it more manageable for your budget.  It's not the size of one donor's gift - it is all of us giving together that makes United Way a unique and valuable concept.  Yes, every dollar matters.  LIVE UNITED.  Give.  Advocate.  Volunteer.

What Is Our Local United Way's RelationshipTo United Way Worldwide?

Like approximately 1,300 local United Ways across America, our local United Way is separately incorporated and locally governed.  We voluntarily support United Way of America with 1.5% of every dollar contributed.  In return, out United Way receives national servies that incluse staff training, community research information, campaign products, advertising,consultation, and the ability to use the United Way brand.

If you have any further questions about United Way, Please don't hesitate to ask! Call us at 632-3700.

Why Partner With United Way?

Benefits For Your Company

• Builds employee morale and fosters a sense of team spirit
• Helps everyone work to Advance the Common Good and LIVE UNITED
• Cultivates leaders through employee development opportunites
• Provides information on critical community issues and opportunites to be part of he solution
• Connects your company and employees to the community

Benefits For Individuals

• Helps employees make informed investments
• Helps employees become involved with local nonprofit agencies
• Provides information on local health and human service needs
• Provides a sense of community by being part of the change and LIVING UNITED

To Maximize Impact

• Brings together individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and agencies
• Collaborates on targeted community solutions
• Unites the community by working together to accomplish things that no organization, no individual and no government can accomplish on its own

To Drive Positive Community Change

• Addresses root causes of problems, not just temporary band-aid solutions
• Invests in proven solutions and supports innovative ideas
• Measures results and reports back to you
• Encourages ADVOCACY for what you believe in

To Reach The Whole Community

• Offers a centralized, community-wide fundraising approach
• Provides cost-effective and efficient services
• Supports local nonprofit health and human service agencies and their programs
• Provides volunteer opportunites and Volunteer Center support services

The Fundraising Challenge This Year Is Great.
Economic Conditions are causing greater needs than ever.
LIVE UNITED.  Give.  Advocate.  Volunteer.
Help our Eastern Upper Peninsula community by working to
ADVANCE THE COMMON GOOD.

 2009-2010 Goal

Thank you to all the Donors, Partners & Volunteers that made the 2009-2010 Campaign such a Sucess!  Luce, Mackinac & Chippewa counties raised $313,950.