- Why should I give to United Way of Manistee County rather than
directly to individual charities?
- What is a United Way Member Agency?
- How are campaign funds distributed to local programs?
- Do you have a paid staff?
- Are campaign solicitors or chairpersons paid?
- Is my United Way contribution tax deductible?
- Sometimes I feel pressured to give to United Way.
- What if I cannot afford to give right now?
- If I stop working, what happens to payroll deduction?
- Can I make designations to organizations other than those
listed on the United Way brochure?
- What is the relationship between United Way of Manistee County
and Michigan Association of United Ways and United Way of America?
1. Why should I give to United Way of Manistee County rather than
directly to individual charities?
- When you give through United Way, you are helping to meet many
needs of our community through its ten Member Agencies.
- United Way maximizes your community investment by enlisting
local volunteers who make sure that the dollars raised from the
annual fundraising campaign are well spent.
- Payroll deduction provides an effective way to make a more
substantial gift by dividing it up into small gifts throughout the
year.
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2. What is a United Way Member Agency?
- There is mutual accountability between United Way and its
Member Agencies. Two fundamental premises underlying this
relationship are
- to determine needs for human service programs in Manistee
County and to analyze the possible means by which such needs may
be met most effectively and
- to efficiently develop financial resources, avoiding
duplication of efforts whenever possible, and to distribute
these resources in support of identified needs.
- The primary financial responsibility of United Way is to its
Member Agencies. Both United Way and its partners, however,
recognize the need to exercise discretion in apportioning and
distributing funds.
- Member Agencies are held to the same standards of excellence
that you expect from United Way of Manistee County. On behalf of
its donors, United Way screens these agencies for operational
integrity through its annual citizen review process.
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3. How are campaign funds distributed to local programs?
- Annually, Member Agencies are required to submit an allocation
request which outlines the programs they provide and their need
for funding. Approximately 25 local volunteers, referred to as the
Citizen Review Panel, review these requests and listen to a
presentation from each Member Agency. Based on the review, the
panel members recommend to United Way of Manistee County how much
funding each program should receive.
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4. Do you have a paid staff?
- United Way of Manistee County employs an Executive Director
and an Administrative Assistant, both part-time positions. The
Board of Directors recognizes the benefits of having paid staff to
manage and guide the organization to reach its greatest potential.
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5. Are campaign solicitors or chairpersons paid?
- No. They are all volunteers. They pay their own expenses and
are contributors to the campaign.
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6. Is my United Way contribution tax deductible?
- Yes, your United Way contribution is deductible on your
federal income tax return if you itemize deductions. To
substantiate your pledge through payroll deduction, retain your
copy of the pledge form and your payroll record of total
deduction.
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7. Sometimes I feel pressured to give to United Way.
- The role of the solicitor is to explain the facts; describe
the needs of the community; make clear the importance of the
contribution; and invite the potential donor to think about the
choice he/she has in giving.
- Your contribution should be a voluntary investment in our
community, helping to make lasting changes in people’s lives.
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8. What if I cannot afford to give right now?
- You don’t have to. Pledge your gift through payroll deduction
and spread small payments throughout the year. Our agencies need
your year-round support. Your small payments, along with those of
your friends and co-workers, add up to help meet the needs of the
human services organizations within our community.
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9. If I stop working, what happens to payroll deduction?
- A pledge is made in good faith and is based on an individual’s
earnings. Should a person’s circumstances change, they are
completely and immediately absolved of the pledge.
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10. Can I make designations to organizations other than those
listed on the United Way brochure?
- Yes. United Way of Manistee County will honor designations of
at least $50 to IRS-certified charitable organizations. It is the
responsibility of the donor to make sure an organization meets the
qualifications for tax deductible donation. A 15% administrative
fee will be deducted from designations made to non-member
agencies.
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11. What is the relationship between United Way of Manistee County
and Michigan Association of United Ways and United Way of America?
- Michigan Association of United Ways and United Way of America
operate as trade associations, providing support service to our
local office. Services include staff and volunteer training,
government relations, market research and general advertising (NFL
advertising). They have no authority over our allocations or
operations.
- Three quarters of one percent of total dollars raised is
distributed to both associations.
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