Basic Facts About The United Way Movement


Through a vast network of volunteers and community service agencies, United Way member organizations across America help meet the health and human care needs of millions of people every day. United Way’s 110-year history is built on the proven effectiveness of local organizations helping people in their own communities.

• The United Way system includes approximately 1,400 community-based United Way member organizations. Each organization is independent, separately incorporated and governed by local volunteers.
• During United Way’s extensive annual citizen review process, local experienced volunteers access community needs. Volunteers also determine how to distribute funds, so that donors know their money is serving the most pressing issues in their community and is reaching the people who are most in need.
• United Way volunteers ensure that each group, which receives funds, is a non-profit, tax-exempt charity governed by volunteers. These volunteers ensure that each agency submits to an annual, independent financial audit, provides services at a reasonable cost and maintains a policy of non-discrimination.
• Through a single, communitywide campaign, United Way volunteers raise funds to support agency service providers. In total, voluntary contributions to United Way organizations support approximately 45,000 agencies and chapters, helping millions of people from all walks of life and income groups. Second only to the federal government, the United Way system supports the greatest variety of health and human services in the country.
• United Way volunteers raised $3.93 billion in the 2002-03 campaign, which was used for human services ranging from disaster relief, emergency food and shelter and crisis intervention to day care, physical rehabilitation and youth development.
• Because of the vast network of volunteers and the simplicity of corporate payroll deduction, administrative expenses for the largest United Way organizations average 13 percent of all funds raised. This low figure compares with the suggested Better Business Bureau guidelines of up to 35 percent.

United Way is more than just another charity – it is a combined effort across our community to raise awareness and funds for charitable organizations that deliver vital health and human services locally.

Essentially, United Way is a system of giving in our community. It is a volunteer driven system that plays an important role in making our community a better place to live and work for our families, friends and neighbors. Contributions are raised through the efficiency of workplace campaigns and personal solicitations. Knowledgeable volunteers from across the community monitor agencies and make decisions on where the dollars can be best spent for the good of the whole community. These dollars go to local partner agencies, which use these funds to provide important health and human services to people in our community.