United Way Q&A

The 2008 Grand Valley United Way Campaign runs October 1-15. 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. Faculty and staff members should not feel pressured or coerced into giving, but everyone should be given information and have the opportunity to give. Our campaign goal is to have 100 percent participation, but that means that everybody is asked. Whether or not you choose to give, a returned form signifies that you have participated.

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 Heart of West Michigan (Kent County), Greater Ottawa United Way (Ottawa County), 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, has consistently rated Heart of West Michigan United Way with high ratings for its organizational efficiency and prudent financial management.

United Way strives to keep administrative costs and overhead as low as possible. For the year ending June 30, 2007, Heart of West Michigan United Way’s fundraising and administrative costs were 10 percent. This percent represents that portion of administrative costs funded by dollars raised by the annual campaign. Almost 90 cents of every dollar donated is invested back into the community to help those who need it most. Heart of West Michigan United Way’s operating budget is audited by an independent accounting firm and is carefully reviewed by the members of the United Way Finance and Audit Committee and Board of Directors. Visit www.waybetterunitedway.org for the complete audited financial statements.

Q: Can I select specific agencies where my gift is funneled directly?
A: Yes, you can designate which agencies are to receive your gift. Gifts must be at least $50 and agencies must be 501(c)3 health and human service agencies. Most people do not designate — for the 2007 GVSU campaign  there were 110 different organizations designated by 251 people.

Q: Are there reasons not to designate certain agencies?
A: Yes. When your gift is to the United Way Campaign and not to a specific agency, United Way uses it to fund those agencies for whom it provides oversight and holds the agencies accountable for the funding they receive. Additionally, there is volunteer and professional oversight and the accountability means 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. Also, a gift of at least $156 in undesignated dollars makes you a member of United Way’s Caring Club, which entitles you to discounts at area merchants.

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. In the 2007 campaign, there were 32 exclusions.

Q: Are gifts tax-deductible?
A: Yes. 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.waybetterunitedway.com.

If you have additional questions or concerns, contact either of the campaign co-chairs, Marlene Kowalski-Braun or Jon Jellema via e-mail or by calling x12400.