Some common questions and answers about United Way:
Q: As a Grand Valley employee, am I expected to give to the United
Way Campaign?
A: No, giving is a personal choice. Employees should not feel
pressured or coerced into giving, but everyone should be given
information and have the opportunity to give.
Q: If I give, where will my money go?
A: It will go where you direct it to go when you fill out the
gift form. Grand Valley has partnered with Heart of West Michigan
United Way to process all Grand Valley gifts. But depending on your
instructions, your funds will go to by Heart of West Michigan (Kent
County) or to Greater Ottawa United Way (Ottawa County) or Muskegon
United Way or Allegan.
Q: How do I know the United Way will be a responsible steward of my gift?
A: Go online and check. What you'll find is that Charity
Navigator, America's largest independent evaluator of non-profit
organizations, recently gave Heart of West Michigan United Way its
highest four-star rating for organizational efficiency and prudent
financial management. It strives to keep administrative costs and
overhead as low as possible. Over the past five years, Heart of West
Michigan United Way's overhead costs have been among the lowest in the
country, holding between 7 and 11 percent.
Q: Can I select specific agencies where my gift is funneled directly?
A: Yes, you can designate which agencies are to receive your
gift. Heart of West Michigan United Way encourages donors to give
agency and program-specific gifts directly to organizations, rather
than using the annual fund as a giving vehicle. Agencies must be
501(c)3 health and human service agencies.
Q: Are there reasons not to designate certain agencies?
A: Yes. When United Way funds agencies it provides oversight and
holds the agencies accountable for the funding they receive.
Additionally, there is volunteer and professional oversight, increased
community impact, comprehensive community care and less overhead.
Thus, to giving undesignated dollars to the Community Investment Fund
is a way to maximize your gift.
Q: I don't like a certain agency. If I give to United Way, can I
exclude them from receiving my money?
A: Yes. On the bottom of the gift form, simply write
"Exclude" followed by the name of the agency.
Q: Are gifts tax-deductible?
A: Yes. A reminder, though: Those who use payroll deduction (and
that's most of us) need to save their last pay stub of the calendar
year as their IRS receipt. The United Way line item on your pay stub
is a record of how much you have given during the calendar year.
Q: Does the United Way take positions on controversial topics?
A: No, United Way feels it is not appropriate to be involved in
funding or advocacy about controversial issues. United Way recognizes
the value of diversity and differences of opinion on controversial
issues and encourages advocacy of viewpoints in reaching goals in the
best interest of the common good. In order to answer questions on
prominent issues that givers may have, resources are available online
at www.unitedwaycares.com. If you have additional questions or
concerns, feel free to contact either of the campaign co-chairs,
Marlene Kowalski-Braun or Jon Jellema via e-mail or by calling x12400.
How will your United Way gift help? If you give...
- $2 per pay period, you can provide one senior citizen with food, home-delivered meals and transportation
- $5 per pay period, you can provide one parent with skills training to help their children succeed
- $10 per pay period, you can provide one adult with the employment assistance and job training necessary to achieve economic independence
- $25 per pay period, you can provide eight families with food and emergency services to help them meet their basic needs
- $50 per pay period, you can provide child care services for two children
