Do I automatically get a receipt for my donation?

It depends on the amount of your gift and how it was made. You will receive a receipt from UWMN if you made a gift of at least $250. However, if you made your gift through payroll deductions, a receipt is not necessary. (A payroll deduction gift goes through your employer, who then makes monthly or bi-monthly payments to United Way on behalf of all of its employees.) Should you need a receipt for itemized tax purposes, you can use your December 31 pay stub or your W-2 if your employer shows that information.

Everyone needs help in an emergency. Do United Way partners support any services of this kind?

Yes. United Way financially supports programs providing numerous emergency services. These services include help with food, shelter, clothing, utilities, medical needs, victim support, crisis counseling and financial assistance. Individuals can also access a database of more than 6,000 programs through referrals given by 2-1-1, Middle Tennessee's community resources help line which United Way launched in 2004. Additionally, United Way convenes the local board of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) and determines the distribution of these federal funds to local nonprofit organizations to supplement emergency food and shelter programs. For a more complete description of agency services, please ask for a copy of the Guide to Funded Programs, free from United Way of Metropolitan Nashville.

Why should I give in a bad economy?

A success story for anyone in Nashville is a success story for all of us. A bad economy or recession hits all of us - some directly and some indirectly. Many of us have cut back our expenses. Some of us cut back on luxury items and others have to make more difficult choices. We know that needs are increasing and stretching the limits of our local nonprofit community services network for so many working individuals and families. It is critical that those of us who can support the community do so. Living united means helping our neighbors so we all enjoy a better quality of life.

My spouse gives at the office. Why should I give too?

Each wage earner in a family is asked to contribute based on his or her own ability to give. That way each can participate in his or her company's United Way campaign to help us help others. If you let us know your spouse's name and company, we may be able to combine your gifts for recognition purposes if both employers run campaigns with United Way of Metropolitan Nashville.

Even though I am employed in one county, I live in another county.  Where should I give?

Many people in Middle Tennessee live in one county and work in another. United Way of Metropolitan Nashville invests in programs that serve those who live, work, or have a family member who works in Davidson County. It is often easier to give where you work, especially if your employer makes payroll deduction available. Through United Way, you can choose, if you wish, to which county your gift goes. On the pledge card, simply choose donate to an agency and specify which organization (even another United Way).

Why does United Way give money to church-affiliated agencies?

United Way only funds human service programs within church-affiliated agencies. It does not fund any religious activities of the organization. Agency programs are available to anyone regardless of race, creed or religion.

Why do some programs/services supported by United Way charge a fee?

The concept behind United Way is that health and human services should be available to anyone who needs them. Because people who need help are from various income levels, many programs supported by United Way charge on a sliding fee scale that allows clients to pay based on their ability. That fee helps to subsidize the services for those who cannot afford to pay.

United Way helps fund programs for those who cannot afford the service. For example, United Way funds agency programs at YMCA to allow low-income and underprivileged youth to participate in the recreational and character-building activities offered by these agencies.

What is United Way's overhead?

United Way of Metropolitan Nashville aggressively works to keep overhead costs at a minimum. In 2007, operational costs and administrative expenses reflected trends of the last decade, with costs holding steady at approximately 15% or less; the average over the last three years was 13.3%.

Our overhead is well below the national average: The Better Business Bureau and National Charities Information Bureau guidelines suggest fundraising costs should not exceed 35% and total fundraising and administrative costs should not exceed 50% of total income.

United Way is committed to keeping costs at a minimum so that your dollars can have the greatest impact in the community.

What if I Feel Forced to Give?

The issue:

In a few instances, people express unhappiness about being "forced to give" to the United Way fund-raising campaign. Generally, the complaint centers on a sense of coercion felt at the workplace. In other words, employees feel they must give to United Way to keep their employers happy, get a promotion or even, in very extreme cases, to keep their jobs.

United Way response:

United Way of Metropolitan Nashville is adamantly opposed to coercion in any form, and does not endorse any pressuring practices in the workplace. United Way provides employers with a comprehensive communications package so donors can make sound voluntary giving decisions.

If pressured to give:

United Way of Metropolitan Nashville appreciates ¾ and encourages ¾ a donor's participation in its efforts to continuously improve workplace campaigns. If you feel pressured to give, please contact John Havron, Executive Vice President at United Way of Metropolitan Nashville at 615-780-2416.

Occasionally, questions arise regarding specific agencies that United Way has funded.  These questions are often directed at Planned Parenthood and the Boy Scouts of America.  Neither agency will receive funding during the 2008 - 2011 funding cycle. Here are the details of United Way's program support for these two agencies:

Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee

What is funded? Planned Parenthood did not apply for funding for the current funding cycle and therefore will not be receiving any funding through United Way's outcome-based investment process after July 1, 2008.

Boy Scouts of America

What is funded? The Middle Tennessee Council of Boy Scouts declined to accept the funding recommended by United Way's volunteers. The organization will not be receiving any funding through United Way's outcome-based investment process after July 1, 2008.

For other questions about agency funding, please contact Candy Markman at 615-780-2431.

Is United Way funding any new programs this year?

Yes, in addition to funding many programs at a deeper level, we are also funding six new health and human service programs in 2008 - 2009. They are:

For a complete list of all programs funded through United way's outcome-based investment process, visit our Web site at www.unitedwaynashville.org/programs.

How do I give?

There are many ways to give. Individuals can give through employer payroll deduction, or through major gifts, mail or Internet contributions. There are also opportunities for Corporate Giving, Grants/Sponsorships, and Planned Giving. Please contact your United Way staff person or call our office at 615-255-8501 for details.

How do I advocate?

If you are a United Way donor you are already an advocate because your gift makes you a part of the change United Way is trying to achieve with its community partners. Here are some other suggestions:

• Tell others about our work.
• Forward the "How I LIVE UNITED" e-mail communications to friends and family.
• Tell us how you're living united.
• Share the program success stories featured in our online newsletter.
• Ask for a LIVE UNITED t-shirt and wear it when you're out and about.
• And if anyone asks you what LIVE UNITED means, tell them!

How do I volunteer?

There are several options to volunteer through United Way:

• Volunteer in a leadership role - there are numerous committees and teams that rely on volunteer input and expertise
• Participate on a Volunteer Review Team (making investment decisions for United Way and monitoring partner agencies' results with those investments)
• Check our Web site for hands-on volunteer opportunities that support our partners and initiatives such as Read to Succeed or Financial Stability efforts.

Other opportunities to Give, Advocate, and Volunteer:

United Way of Metropolitan Nashville will email notice of volunteer opportunities throughout the year to all donors for whom we have an email address (home email preferred), as well as post to our Web site. If you are interested, we encourage you to share your email address with us and check our site, www.unitedwaynashville.org on a regular basis.

United Way of America (the national organization)

As a local organization with its own volunteer board of trustees, United Way of Metropolitan Nashville is an independent, separate organization. United Way of America serves as a leadership association for about 1,400 local United Ways in the U.S., offering support services such as training, research, national advertising, public service messages, materials, campaign support, communications support and consultation. United Way of Metropolitan Nashville pays dues (one percent of campaign revenue) in exchange for these services from United Way of America.

The Current United Way Leadership

A 20-year United Way veteran, Brian Gallagher, was announced as CEO of United Way of America in November 2001. Gallagher most recently led United Way of Central Ohio, the 16th largest United Way in the country with a $51 million campaign. Under Gallagher's leadership, United Way of Central Ohio has redesigned itself from a fundraising federation to a collaborative community leadership organization focused on impacting the community's most pressing issues.

It is important to remember that United Way of Metropolitan Nashville is a local organization, run by a local volunteer board of trustees and functions independently from United Way of America.

United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, 250 Venture Circle, P.O. Box 280420, Nashville, Tennessee 37228

Phone: (615) 255-8501 | Fax: (615) 780-2426 | info@unitedwaynashville.org

© United Way of Metropolitan Nashville