Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who benefits from the work of United Way?
Upper Valley United Way is working towards long-term solutions to our community's most pressing needs to benefit all of us. We recognize that when there is a single person in our community with a need, all of us feel the consequences - whether that's paying higher insurance premiums to cover the uninsured, arranging rides for aging parents who can no longer drive, or suffering higher crime rates related to substance abuse. There are also times when we as individuals unexpectedly find ourselves with a need and for those times we hope that a security net is in place.
By focusing on the underlying causes for problems like financial instability, substance abuse, and access to job-skillls training, UVUW is laying the foundation for a future community where people working side-by-side create stability, well-being, and opportunity for all of us.
Q. If I change jobs during the year, what happens to my pledge to United Way via payroll deduction?
If you leave your current employment, payroll deductions will stop at that time. To continue your support for United Way through the rest of the year, be sure to ask your new employer about the payroll deduction option. Many companies include United Way pledge materials in the information packets for new hires. If your new employer does not currently offer convenient payroll deduction, please call our office at 603.448.2766 to discuss other options for fulfilling your pledge through the end of the year.
Q. Why should I consider giving to United Way rather than to a single non-profit agency?
Often people need the help of more than one agency for housing, healthcare, job training, childcare, substance abuse treatment, transportation, etc. Donating to United Way takes into consideration the interdependent needs and full range of services required to make a meaningful and lasting impact in people's lives. United Way is focused on critical issues - strengthening families, promoting self sufficiency and supporting aging and vulnerable populations - that no one organization can fix. Your support for United Way enables us to get people to work together to find lasting solutions that will benefit all of us who live and work here.
Q. What's Upper Valley United Way's overhead rate?
For non-profit organizations, "overhead" consists of fundraising and administration expenses that represent the cost of doing business. According to the Better Business Bureau/Wise Giving Alliance standards, a non-profit organization's total fund raising and administration should be no more than 35% of total revenue. Upper Valley United Way's fundraising and administration costs, based on a 2-year audited average, are 18.85%.
Q. Why is United Way changing from being primarily a fundraising organization that allocated money to area non-profit agencies that help people in need?
Trying to meet the growing needs of our community is still very important but does addressing the needs alone will not get to the underlying causes. United Way continues to invest a significant portion of our resources in grants to direct service providers for the needs of today, we are also spending staff time and funds to develop solutions to community-wide problems that will reduce the need in the future. We believe that our new investment strategy offers the best use of limited resources to do both.
Q. Who runs Upper Valley United Way?
Unlike some non-profit organizations that have a national headquarters and local chapter affiliates, United Way has a national trade association with nearly 1,400 independent, self-governing local organizations. Here in the Upper Valley, your United Way is run by a professional staff of 5, overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors, and aided by hundreds of additional volunteers, who serve on numerous committees such as Finance, Grant Review, Campaign Cabinet, Communications & Marketing.
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