FAQ's
1. What does the United Way of Greater Lafayette do?
United Way improves our community by focusing on education, income and health. We bring people, organizations and resources together to deliver results. You can give through our annual campaign, you can volunteer your time to a variety of worthwhile causes throughout our community, or you can advocate to create a better community for us all.
2. What is the difference between the United Way of Greater Lafayette and United Way Worldwide?
Our local United Way is just that - local. We are an independent organization run by a board of volunteers from our community, which operates solely for the benefit of the residents of Greater Lafayette. United Way is our community's largest volunteer organization with more than 130 local residents on its Board of Directors and various committees. A small staff coordinates and implements directives of the Board.
United Way Worldwide is a global leadership and trade association to which local United Ways across the country belong. United Way Worldwide owns the name “United Way” and associated brand marks and manages a number of critical relationships with global and national corporations with locations here in Greater Lafayette. Membership within United Way Worldwide does not interfere with local decisions on investing campaign dollars in services or working to improve our local community.
3. How is the money raised in our community distributed?
Community volunteers make up our Community Investment Committee which seeks to invest campaign dollars into our participating organizations according to their ability to get results. In addition reviewing financial documents such as agency audits and IRS Form 990’s, our volunteers look at how each agency improved the lives of the people it serves, how it knows that it is improving their lives and how the agency fits within United Way priorities and the community social service context. We also review agency plans for using funds to get the results they promise. Volunteers evaluate agencies annually and seek to help them improve their programs and services where possible.
4. How much of my contribution actually goes to fund services in our community?
Leadership gifts to United Way, through an effort called The Vanguard, cover more than the cost of "doing business". In fact, United Way overhead costs account for approximately 10% of total contributions. All fundraising and administrative costs are covered by Vanguard contributions. Therefore, the entire amount of your contribution (100%) goes directly to services in Greater Lafayette.
5. How does United Way raise money?
United Way conducts its annual campaign in the workplace and through direct mail appeals. We also accept bequests and planned gifts. Our annual campaign is not designed to pressure people to give, but rather to offer every resident the opportunity to contribute to meeting the needs in our community. You may designate that a certain agency receives your gift by simply indicating so on your pledge card. United Way tracks and records all designations. If an agency's designated gifts exceed the citizen's review allocation, the agency receives the higher amount.
6. Who benefits from my contribution?
United Way funds services that improve lives by focusing on education, income and health. This means that your friends, family members and neighbors are likely to benefit in some way from United Way services. While our target population is generally low income, services we fund generally help people from broader demographic segments than just that group. Whether they are clients of our participating organizations or they benefit from other aspects of our work, it is likely that someone you know has been helped by United Way. Even if you don't live in Tippecanoe County, you may use the services of local United Way agencies as long as the identical service is not offered in your home county.
7. How does an organization become a participating organization?
Community organizations must meet basic requirements such as being a 501c3 organization, having an active volunteer Board of Directors, serving individuals in Tippecanoe County, having a strategic plan and running efficient operations to become Participating Organizations. The organization must also be able to partially support itself through fees and/or fundraising as United Way does not provide any organization 100% of its operating budget. Non-profit agencies that wish to become a participating organization should fill out the application process handout and submit their intention to the United Way of Greater Lafayette.
8. Do United Way participating organizations charge fees?
Some do. United Way agencies that do charge fees use a sliding fee scale. Charges are based on a person's ability to pay, allowing all individuals to get the help they need, regardless of their financial status. The sliding fee structure also ensures that individuals who can afford to pay for services do so, to make certain that your contribution goes as far as possible to help those in need.
9. I work in Tippecanoe County but I do not live here. Can I designate my gift to my home county?
By contributing here, where you work, you help support this community's network of human services. However, if you choose to designate to another United Way, you may do so.
10. How do I make a contribution to United Way of Greater Lafayette?
Go to our online giving guide at Ways to Donate or call United Way at (765) 742-9077 or send us an email.
11. Who staffs our United Way of Greater Lafayette?
Click here the link to see the team: Meet Our Staff
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