 Frequently Asked Questions
What is United Way of the Capital Area?
The United Way of the Capital Area is a non-profit organization that has been raising resources to meet the critical human service needs of Greater Hartford since 1924. It is one of more than 1,400 independent and autonomous United Ways in the United States.
Top of Page
What is United Way of America?
United Way of America is a national service and training center for the 1,400 autonomous and independent United Ways across the United States located in Alexandria, Virginia. It makes no policy decisions for local United Ways.
Top of Page
What is Community Health Charities of Connecticut?
Founded in 1965, by the Capital Region business community, to provide Connecticut companies the means to support local health charities. Thirty-eight years later, Community Health Charities of Connecticut remains committed to raising funds for and increasing awareness of its member charities through workplace giving campaigns. Community Health Charities of Connecticut's federation includes 35 of the nation's premier health agencies.
Top of Page
What is the United Way Community Campaign?
The United Way Community Campaign is the most efficient way to raise funds for a wide variety of health and human service needs in the 40-town region.
Top of Page
How much money does the Community Campaign raise?
In 2003, nearly 70,000 generous individuals and organizations raised more than $26 million to ensure success for children, strong and healthy families and thriving communities.
Top of Page
What are the benefits of giving through the United Way Community Campaign?
By making a gift through the Campaign, you can support the programs and services that are important to you. United Way and Community Health Charities CT along with knowledgeable, experienced volunteers monitor funded agency programs to ensure that donations are used efficiently and reach those who need help the most. By combining your gift with others, you make the greatest impact on our community. And workplace giving through payroll deduction makes it easy.
Top of Page
Where does the money come from?
In 2003, 76% of the dollars raised came from individuals, while 24% was from corporations.
Top of Page
Where does the money go?
In 2003, nearly 90¢ out of every dollar was used to fund seven areas of need: Ensuring Children are Successful, Strengthening Families, Providing Basic Human Needs, Supporting Older People, Increasing Self Sufficiency, Fostering Healthy and Safe Neighborhoods, and the 35 Community Health Charities of CT.
Top of Page
Can I direct how my gift will help people through the Community Campaign?
The United Way Community Campaign provides donors with the opportunity to direct their gift to the causes that are important to them.
Through the Community Investment donors help ensure the success of children, healthy and strong families and thriving communities. Community Investment funded health and human service agencies have been visited, reviewed and required to show results by experienced, knowledgeable volunteers from our community. Nearly 1 in 3 people in the Capital Region benefit from your gift -- through Community Investment you can reach the entire community. Community Investment is the best choice for donors who want to provide help for those with the greatest need.
Targeted Care lets you direct your gift to one or more targeted areas of need: Providing Basic Human Needs, Fostering Healthy and Safe Neighborhoods, Strengthening Families, Nurturing Children and Youth, Supporting Older People, Increasing Self-Sufficiency, Promoting Neighborhood Arts and Heritage, and Community Health Charities of Connecticut.
Specific Care affords you the opportunity to direct your contribution to a qualified not-for-profit organization recognized as a 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service.
Top of Page
What are the ways I can give through the United Way Community Campaign?
There are five different ways you can contribute through the United Way Community Campaign:
- Payroll Deduction - Your employer may offer the opportunity to have an amount deducted from your paycheck each pay period.
- Personal Check - Personal checks made payable to the United Way Community Campaign are also accepted.
- Bill at home - We would be happy to send a bill to you on a monthly, quarterly or one time basis.
- Credit Card - Payments are accepted through Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
- Gifts of Stock - Gifts of appreciated stock can fulfill your pledge. Federal law permits taxpayers who itemize to deduct the current value of charitable contributions from their adjusted gross income. Your own tax advisor can provide more information. Please contact United Way’s Finance Department for account information at (860) 493-6811.
Top of Page
How is my gift further multiplied by United Way?
United Way:
- Conducts research determining needs, resources, and trends in our region.
- Offers the Nonprofit Resource and Training Center to assist nonprofit organizations in fund-raising management, board development, grant-writing and other areas.
- Matches volunteers, donated goods, and services with nonprofit organizations in need.
- Trains volunteers including current and potential board members of nonprofit organizations.
- Offers management assistance and training to help nonprofit organizations run more efficiently.
- Tracks human service legislation and fosters cooperation among government, social service agencies, and private citizens in solving problems.
Top of Page
Can I benefit health charities through the Community Campaign?
Yes. In addition to funding many of the Capital Region's finest human service agencies, the United Way Community Campaign also raises money for the 35 local health charities represented by Community Health Charities of Connecticut. Community Health Charities of CT receives at least 20% of the money raised in the Campaign, which is allocated to 35 member and associate charities for treatment, research, education, counseling, support groups, and other health care services. Community Health Charities of Connecticut is one of 49 affiliates of the Community Health Charities of America.
Top of Page
What does Community Health Charities of Connecticut do besides fund-raising?
Through its Lunch & Learn workplace wellness program, Community Health Charities of Connecticut raises public awareness of many of the most serious, life-threatening and debilitating diseases and illnesses facing Connecticut residents today. Since 1988, Community Health Charities of CT has conducted seminars, screenings and topical seminars in over 400 Connecticut companies, in partnership with its member charities. As a result, companies are better able to contain health benefit costs and employees are empowered to lead healthier, more productive lives, both personally and professionally.
Top of Page
What are United Way Partner Agencies?
United Way Partner Agencies are eligible to receive donor designated gifts through the United Way Community Campaign. All United Way partner agencies have been certified for good management, governance and fiscal accountability. Agencies that receive program funding through Community Investment (United Way’s volunteer fund distribution process) have an icon next to the name of the agency.
Top of Page
Is there a difference between Community Health Charities of Connecticut’s full member and associate member charities?
Member charities are eligible for designated and undesignated dollars. Funded programs are monitored by community volunteers to ensure they meet standards. Associate member charities receive designated funds only. Community Health Charities of CT monitors associate charities, verify the charities’ tax-exempt
status and require charities to meet other Community Health Charities of Connecticut guidelines.
Top of Page
Will I receive a receipt for my IRS tax returns?
The Community Campaign will send receipts to all applicable donors by February 28, 2005, for those donors who contribute $250 or more at one time. However, if you deposit donor checks directly, the company coordinator will need to send a list of donors who made a contribution of $250 or more at one time to the Community Campaign office.
Top of Page
Is there recognition for leadership giving?
Yes. When you make a contribution of $1,000 or more through the United Way Community Campaign, you are enrolled in our leadership giving program, The Constitution Society, and recognized in its membership roster. You will also be placed on our mailing list to receive periodic updates on how your gift is making a difference in our community.
Top of Page
What has happened to former United Way of America president William Aramony?
On June 22, 1995, Aramony was sentenced to seven years in prison as a result of his April 3, 1995, conviction for conspiracy, fraud, and false tax returns. Monetary fines were instituted also. The United Way of the Capital Area, like all United Ways, is independent, separate from United Way of America, and governed by a local board of directors comprised of local community volunteers. United Way of the Capital Area maintains strict financial controls.
Top of Page
What is the United Way's Non-Discrimination Policy?
United Way of the Capital Area, as stated in the vision statement for our community and
organization, values people and recognizes the strength in their diversity. To that end, United Way of the Capital Area requires every partner agency to affirm that the agency does not discriminate in employment practices, provision of services or volunteer-based services. For answers to frequently asked questions regarding the non-discrimination policy click here.
Top of Page
|
Privacy Statement
