United Way of Greater Lima FAQs
What is United Way?
United Way is a local nonprofit organization that works to address the needs in the local community.
United Way brings people together from all sectors of the community to create lasting change in community conditions. There are 1,800 United Ways worldwide (1,200 in the United States alone) all local separate and independent organizations working to advance the common good by focusing on the building blocks for a better life – education, health and financial stability.
Who runs United Way?
United Way is governed by local volunteers who make up our Board of Directors who reflect the diversity of our community. The Board is comprised of people with various areas of expertise to ensure that our United Way is operating in the most effective way to serve our community.
Where does the money go if I donate to United Way?
Our United Way is local. Every dollar raised here, stays here. Thanks to a very generous endowment, 100% of every dollar collected is invested locally in effective programs, services and initiatives that demonstrate meaningful and measurable results in our community. United Way of Greater Lima is committed to responsible stewardship of your donations.
Who decides how the money raised will be distributed?
More than 30 local volunteers from diverse backgrounds determine how the money raised in the annual campaign will be invested in local programs. Volunteers review agencies’ requests for funding each year to determine how the programs align with United Way’s goals. Then, volunteers make recommendations to the Community Impact Cabinet, who ensures programs align with United Way indicators. The Community Impact Cabinet makes funding recommendations to the United Way Board for final approval.
What is Community Impact?
Community Impact is very simply — mobilizing resources to create lasting community changes and improve lives.
Community Impact is:
• Changing the way we work together to address issues in the community.
• United Way’s role as more than a funder.
• Working with multiple partners across sectors to address issues.
• Measured results at the community level.
Why did United Way make this change?
Community Impact was the original mission of United Way. The first United Way was founded in 1887 in Denver, Colorado by a priest, a rabbi, two ministers and a woman to address the city’s health and welfare needs by cooperative action. United Way was created to coordinate relief efforts, collect funds and refer people to local agencies. The concept caught on and United Ways began forming in communities around the country. Over the years, United Way became known as a fundraising organization. Like any business, organizations must evolve to meet the needs of their customers and to provide the results to impact issues in the local community. It was no longer enough to just raise money and distribute it to agencies. United Way of Greater Lima is uniquely positioned to bring people together to change community conditions. No other organization does that. Community Impact isn’t about eliminating partner agencies, it is about changing the way we work together with our partner agencies to change conditions in our community.
How much of the funds raised go towards administrative costs?
United Way of Greater Lima is committed to responsible stewardship of your donations. Eighty two cents of every dollar collected is invested in effective programs, services and initiatives that demonstrate meaningful and measurable results in our community. United Way’s overhead ratio is 18%, which is well below the Better Business Bureau standard of 35% for nonprofit organizations.
Does United Way support abortion?
We have no prior/current relationship with pro-abortion programs or agencies and provide no financial support of their work. The United Way of Greater Lima is an independently incorporated 501 (c)(3) organization that is governed by our own local board of directors with all resources under local control and decision making.
Why isn’t my favorite nonprofit funded by United Way?
While an agency may be doing great work, it may not have programs that align with the United Way’s community impact goals. In other cases, an agency may not meet United Way’s criteria for performance and accountability. Additionally, an agency may not have applied to be a partner agency.
Can I designate my gift? If I designate will it reduce the amount the agency receives?
Donors can designate their gift to a United Way of Greater Lima Partner Agency or another United Way. If you designate your gift it will not reduce the amount the agency program will receive through the Community Investment process. For example: If an agency has $10,000 in designated gifts and is awarded $20,000 through the Community Investment process, the agency will receive a total of $30,000.