Simone Lawson
United Way is a global community action network that raises funds through workplace campaigns to support local community initiatives. The organization has faced scrutiny for its affiliates' donations to Planned Parenthood, which some allege supports a liberal political agenda. While United Way itself does not donate to political campaigns, money can come from individual members or employees. This article will explore the extent to which United Way's funds are connected to political campaigns and the impact of these donations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Donates to political campaigns | No, but donations from individuals and employees are used to fund political campaigns |
| Type of organization | Nonprofit |
| Number of local nonprofit fundraising affiliates | 1,800+ |
| Primary fundraising method | Workplace campaigns |
| Percentage of donations from payroll deductions | 57% |
| Percentage of donations from corporate donations | 20% |
| Number of volunteers, advocates, and donors | Millions |
| Number of countries | 34 |
| Number of local, state, regional, and country organizations | 1,100+ |
| Number of employees | 12,000+ |
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What You'll Learn
- United Way is an international network of local nonprofit fundraising affiliates
- United Way raises funds through company-sanctioned workplace campaigns
- United Way donations support essential programs that provide education, financial stability, healthcare and disaster relief
- United Way affiliates donated millions to Planned Parenthood
- United Way is a global community action network
United Way is an international network of local nonprofit fundraising affiliates
The organization raises funds primarily through company-sanctioned workplace campaigns, where employers solicit contributions from their employees through automatic payroll deductions. In addition, United Way also administers annual workplace campaigns for federal employees in the US, known as the Combined Federal Campaign. The funds raised are distributed to local nonprofit agencies within those communities, after deducting administrative costs.
United Way believes in providing responsive contributors with the opportunity to become informed and involved. They encourage volunteers to conduct well-planned campaigns with effective communication programs to ensure the best results. The organization emphasizes freedom of choice in donations, recognizing that coercion is not an acceptable practice.
United Way has faced some criticism for its role in donating funds to Planned Parenthood, a controversial organization that provides abortion services and advocates for liberal political agendas. However, United Way has stated that they do not directly donate funds but instead manage and distribute donations according to the wishes of the donors.
United Way offers several flexible ways to donate, including planned gifts, donor-advised funds, stock transfers, and more. These donations support essential programs focused on education, financial stability, healthcare, and disaster relief, ultimately strengthening communities and creating a positive impact globally.
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United Way raises funds through company-sanctioned workplace campaigns
United Way is an international network of over 1,800 local nonprofit fundraising affiliates. It is a global community action network that mobilizes communities to take action, bringing millions of volunteers, advocates, and donors together to make life better for people around the world. United Way raises funds primarily through company-sanctioned workplace campaigns. In these campaigns, employers solicit contributions from their employees, which can be paid through automatic payroll deductions in the same way that tax withholdings and insurance premiums are deducted from an employee's net pay.
United Way organizations raise funds through these workplace campaigns, where employers may solicit contributions on United Way's behalf, payable through automatic payroll deductions. After an administrative fee is deducted, the funds raised locally by United Way are distributed to various nonprofit agencies within those communities. Major recipients have included the American Cancer Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Catholic Charities, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and The Salvation Army.
United Way of Canada, for example, has an annual campaign goal of C$31 million. In 2015, Savannah River Site employees reached the United Way campaign goal. Money raised by local United Ways is distributed to local nonprofit agencies after an administrative cost is deducted. 57% of United Way's donations come through payroll deductions, while an additional 20% come from corporate donations.
United Way also administers many of the annual workplace campaigns for federal employees in the US, called the Combined Federal Campaign. Nonprofit agencies that partner with United Way usually agree not to fundraise while the United Way campaigns are underway. United Way's Board of Directors has adopted a policy statement emphasizing the importance of freedom of choice in their campaigns, without coercion.
United Way offers several flexible ways to contribute, including planned gifts, donations of appreciated stocks, and donor-advised funds. Donations to United Way support essential programs that provide education, financial stability, healthcare, and disaster relief.
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United Way donations support essential programs that provide education, financial stability, healthcare and disaster relief
United Way is a global community action network that mobilizes local communities to take action and bring about positive change. It is an international network of over 1,800 local nonprofit fundraising affiliates, with a presence in tens of thousands of communities across 34 countries.
United Way donations support essential programs that provide education, financial stability, healthcare, and disaster relief. By donating to United Way, you are helping children succeed, adults secure jobs, and families become healthier. Their comprehensive approach to community challenges means they actively listen and respond to local needs, sharing innovations and scaling impact to improve lives worldwide.
United Way offers several flexible ways to contribute and create lasting change. You can choose to donate through payroll deductions, corporate donations, or by including them in your will. Donating stock or unused retirement assets is another way to support their work while also gaining tax benefits.
United Way has faced some criticism for its donations to Planned Parenthood, which provides abortion services and has a liberal political arm. However, United Way has stated that they do not directly donate funds but rather manage and distribute donations according to donor specifications.
Overall, United Way plays a crucial role in strengthening communities and creating a positive impact, with a focus on advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security.
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United Way affiliates donated millions to Planned Parenthood
United Way is an international network of over 1,800 local nonprofit fundraising affiliates. It raises funds primarily via company-sanctioned workplace campaigns, where employers solicit contributions from their employees through automatic payroll deductions.
In 2016, it was revealed that United Way affiliates donated almost $3 million to Planned Parenthood every year. This was discovered by 2nd Vote, which researched Internal Revenue Service Form 990 filings for United Way affiliates in the 2013 and 2014 tax years. The group found that almost 6% of the affiliates, 76 in total, donated to Planned Parenthood.
Some United Way affiliates that donated to Planned Parenthood include:
- United Way of Summit County in Ohio: Donated $147,632 in 2013 and $129,802 in 2014. The chapter stated that the funds supported medical care services, family planning, communicable disease prevention, and health education for very low-income, uninsured women.
- York County affiliate: Supported healthcare for men and women.
- Aloha United Way: Funds went toward community education and individual counselling for youth.
Some United Way affiliates clarified that they do not directly donate funds but rather manage and distribute donations sent by donors to specific agencies. Affiliates that stated they do not donate directly to Planned Parenthood include:
- Mile High United Way in Colorado
- United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut
- United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc.
- United Way of East Central Iowa Inc.
- United Way of Greater Kansas City in Missouri
- United Way of Central Maryland Inc.
- United Way of the Midlands in Nebraska
- United Way of Central New Mexico
- United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra
- United Way of Central Oklahoma Inc.
- United Way of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania
- United Way of Greater Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania
- United Way of Williamson County in Tennessee
- United Way of South Hampton Roads in Virginia
- United Way of Pierce County in Washington
- United Way of Greater Milwaukee
- United Way of Delaware
It is important to note that the organization itself did not donate. Instead, the money came from individual members, employees, owners, and their immediate family members.
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United Way is a global community action network
The organization's approach involves raising funds primarily through company-sanctioned workplace campaigns, where employers solicit contributions from their employees through payroll deductions. United Way also administers annual workplace campaigns for federal employees in the US, known as the Combined Federal Campaign. The funds raised are distributed to local nonprofit agencies within the communities, with 85 cents of every dollar donated going towards their mission.
United Way's work focuses on strengthening local resilience, advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security. They support essential programs that provide education, job opportunities, healthcare, and disaster relief. They also help local nonprofits maintain low overhead rates, ensuring that donations have a greater impact.
United Way has faced some criticism and competition due to its policies and the rise of alternative funds. Some have argued that allowing donor-choice has led to a decline in donations to their general funds, as contributors may prefer to have their donations directed to specific causes or organizations. Despite this, United Way remains committed to its belief in freedom of choice and empowering donors to support the causes they care about.
United Way's global network includes over 12,000 passionate individuals working together to create positive change. They partner with local leaders, nonprofits, community organizations, and sectors to address community needs and develop community-led solutions. Through their work, United Way helps build stronger, more resilient communities and creates a lasting impact on a global scale.
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Frequently asked questions
United Way is a global community action network that raises funds primarily via company-sanctioned workplace campaigns. The money raised is then distributed to local nonprofit agencies within those communities. United Way itself does not donate to political campaigns, but the money comes from the organization's individual members or employees, and those individuals' immediate family members.
For every dollar donated to United Way, 85 cents go to their mission. Overhead rates vary at local United Ways. In the US, the local United Way network-wide overhead rate is 14.5%, which is well below industry standards.
United Way offers several flexible ways to donate and create lasting change. You can send a donation via check/wire transfer, or give through a donor-advised fund, contribute appreciated stocks, or donate a life insurance policy.
