The following are answers to the questions we're most often asked. If you don't find the information you need on this page, please contact us. Here are sample FAQs to get you started. Please add questions that your experience tells you are likely to come up in your area. Feel free to delete any questions you'd rather not use. What are the advantages of giving through United Way? Is my United Way contribution tax deductible? Can I afford to give? Should I give if I didn't get a raise? My spouse gives... Why should I? If I volunteer, should I give? Will I ever use United Way services? I heard about someone who did not get help when they needed it. Why are people forced into giving? Why should I give to United Way when I give to my church? Does the money go where they say it will go? Will contributions go to fancy lunches? I pay taxes... Why should I give? Do United Way agencies charge a fee for using some services? Why are some agencies religiously affiliated? How much should I contribute and what is this "suggested giving guide" ? Who decides how my contribution is spent and how carefully are agency expenditures monitored? May I give directly to my favorite agency? Why did the Red Cross charge soldiers for doughnuts in World War II? Why do you need my money? I know United Way is a local agency, but don't some of the dollars go to the national agency, United Way of America? How does an agency become a United Way funded agency? How much does it cost United Way to raise a dollar? What are the advantages of giving through United Way? It feels good! Your gift goes to help people who really need it. It's local. Funds raised in the area stay here to address local problems. It's accountable. Volunteers decide which programs receive funds, and ensure that services are high quality and meet high priority community needs. It's efficient. Volunteers help conduct the campaign to keep costs low. It's effective. By bringing the community together, we accomplish much more than we can alone. United Way makes your caring count! It's easy. Payroll deductions make giving simple. [ Choose Another Question ] Is my United Way contribution tax deductible? Giving to United Way, and to other nonprofit organizations classified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, entitles taxpayers who file itemized returns to a tax deduction. These organizations include United Ways, nonprofit agencies, foundations, churches and most educational institutions. The 501(c)(3) classification exempts these organizations generally from paying taxes and Section 170 enables people who contribute to them to deduct their gifts on individual itemized returns. Only people who itemize deductions on their income tax returns may deduct the value of the cash or property they contribute to tax-exempt organizations, which may be subject to restrictions at upper income levels. Non-itemizers are not entitled to a charitable deduction. Please consult your tax advisor for information on your specific situation. [Choose Another Question ] Can I afford to give? It is true that some individuals may not be in a position to give because of their current financial situation. However, many of us have made charitable contributions a priority in our budgets. The payroll deduction method gives us an easy way to give a little each month, making it possible to help a lot on an annual basis. [Choose Another Question ] Should I give if I didn't get a raise? Contributors who give according to the Giving Guide are committing to an amount based on their annual wages. If that amount does not increase, we would not expect their gifts to increase. The continuation of the gift is crucial to the continuation of vital community services. [Choose Another Question ] My spouse gives... Why should I? Contributors are asked to give according to the United Way Giving Guide which uses an individual's annual wage to determine the level of giving. When families are fortunate enough to have two incomes, each contributes at their own place of employment. [Choose Another Question ] If I volunteer, should I give? Those who volunteer are more likely to give. They see the needs firsthand. Giving takes a number of different forms: time, talent, money. Many of the agencies could not exist if it were not for the hundreds of volunteer hours "given" each year. Keep in mind, however, that basic overhead (water, electricity, space, staff) cannot be paid with "in-kind" contributions. That is why cash contributions are also critical to the survival of community services. [Choose Another Question ] Will I ever use United Way services? United Way funded services help everyone. It is a popular misconception that only the jobless and truly "at risk" seek help from United Way partner agencies. Working people have problems and needs too - marital problems, child care needs, alcohol and drug abuse problems, troubled teens and aging parents - and United Way services are available to all. Also, many popular recreational agencies such as the YMCA and Scouting programs receive United Way funding. Your United Way contribution helps your co-workers, your friends, your neighbors, and your family - one in two people in our community. [Choose Another Question ] I heard about someone who did not get help when they needed it. It is very frustrating for individuals to need a specific service and not be able to find the type of help needed. United Way member agencies can't always provide the help requested, but will do everything they can to help people in need identify the referral sources that do exist. In fact, United Way funds an information and referral line to help connect people to available services. It can be reached at 716-282-5432. [Choose Another Question ] Why are people forced into giving? The United Way has always supported the concept of voluntary giving. Occasionally companies or volunteers will get so enthusiastic about their role in helping the United Way that they might appear to be "twisting arms." United Way stresses the importance of voluntary giving and discourages coercion of any kind. [Choose Another Question ] Why should I give to United Way when I give to my church? One of the things we have observed in working for United Way is that "givers" are "givers" to many things. It is very common for strong supporters of United Way services to also be very involved in churches or organizations outside the United Way. Perhaps it is because these are the people who are most keenly aware of the needs of people and want to help even if the gift is small. How much you can afford to give, and to whom, is a very personal decision that only you can make. As much as our local churches try to assist the community, they are not equipped to serve all the needs in our community. For example: If one of your church members had a child born with Cerebral Palsy, where would the family turn for therapy? [Choose Another Question ] Does the money go where they say it will go? More than 20 volunteers from our community spend many hours studying and prioritizing community needs, monitoring United Way funded agencies, and considering funding requests. Then they decide how to best invest the dollars to help the most people. This process ensures that you, the contributor, are receiving accountability for the funds you contribute to the United Way. [Choose Another Question ] Will contributions go to fancy lunches? No. Most luncheons and other events sponsored by the United Way are dutch-treat, meaning each person pays their own way. Some of the functions are paid for by individuals or companies. [Choose Another Question ] I pay taxes... Why should I give? Your tax dollars do support many social services in this community. Unfortunately, we have seen dramatic reductions in Federal and State support of social services over the past ten years and we expect this trend to continue. Local services are perceived to be the responsibility of the local community. That is why we need your help to continue services. [Choose Another Question ] Do United Way agencies charge a fee for using some services? Yes. Almost all United Way agencies provide service on a sliding fee scale so that those who are able to pay for the services do so while those who are less able to pay are not denied services because of their financial situation. Philosophically, we believe that people value the service more if they have contributed to its support, even if it's only a token amount. [Choose Another Question ] Why are some agencies religiously affiliated? The organizations that provide some human care programs are religiously affiliated. United Way policy prohibits the direct support of churches, but does allow us to assist church-sponsored organizations that are providing social services. United Way funds are directed to those programs of the organization that serve the community. [Choose Another Question ] How much should I contribute and what is this "suggested giving guide" ? The Giving Guide is a standard reflective of the disposable income enjoyed by individuals at specific salary levels. Contributors have the right to decide the level of their contributions. However, many contributors have asked for this type of guideline to be established and have found the level to be fair to the individual level of income, particularly if given through payroll deduction over the course of the year. [Choose Another Question ] Who decides how my contribution is spent and how carefully are agency expenditures monitored? Volunteers, area residents like you, decide how much is allocated to each agency. Volunteers from all segments of our community work together to review each agency's budget and programs each year. These volunteers assure contributors that every dollar is spent wisely. An important element of United Way agency admissions is sound fiscal management. This is ensured on a continuing basis by volunteer review of financial reports and annual audits. [Choose Another Question ] May I give directly to my favorite agency? It's true we all have favorite agencies. But United Way believes in the concept of investing in federation of agencies to ensure a variety of services are available regardless of their public popularity. That is why the Community Care Review Process was begun - a concept where the volunteers make the decision regarding funding of the United Way agencies based on priority needs in the community. This guarantees that your are receiving accountability for the funds you contribute to the United Way. If you designate, you may write the agency of your choice on United Way's pledge card.  As long as the organization is a 501 (c) 3 tax exempt entity we will do our best to honor your request. [Choose Another Question ] Why did the Red Cross charge soldiers for doughnuts in World War II? Over the protests of Red Cross officials in 1942, Secretary of War Henry B. Stimson decided that American soldiers should pay for their Red Cross meals in rear areas only, just as their Allied counterparts did in English and Australian Clubs. Coffee, doughnuts and other food served at the front lines remained free. If these items were sold, it was done illegally or in ignorance. [Choose Another Question ] Why do you need my money? Our communities' needs are greater every year... and contributions need to continue to support these growing needs. [Choose Another Question ] I know United Way is a local agency, but don't some of the dollars go to the national agency, United Way of America? Our United Way is a totally autonomous agency, run by local volunteers. But it sends one penny from every dollar raised to United Way of America in annual dues. In return, our local United Way receives national advertising, research, government relations and continuing education worth many times more than this minimal investment. [Choose Another Question ] How does an agency become a United Way funded agency? To ensure that services funded by your United Way dollars are efficient and effective, the standards for admission to the United Way family of agencies are high. Applying agencies must have a 501 (c)(3) non profit status, a volunteer board of directors and at least one full-time professional staff member and adhere to the United Way of Niagara's Admission Policy.  Currently we have over 30 agencies on a waiting list to become members.  [Choose Another Question ] How much does it cost United Way to raise a dollar? The Better Business Bureau recommends choosing charities that spend 35 cents or less per dollar on administrative and fund-raising costs. Thanks to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers, our United Way spends only 20 cents per dollar and is significantly below this recommended level. [Choose Another Question ] [ back to top ]