Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

How is United Way different from other nonprofit organizations?
United Way exists for one reason — to help us come together as one community to identify and address the issues that affect all of us. Those issues, like making sure children start school ready to learn and helping families become self-sufficient, cross lines of race, gender, geography and faith, and can only be addressed with collective focus and action.

Why choose the United Way Community Impact Fund?
The Community Impact Fund is like a “war chest” our community builds to address the issues our community says matter most. It is the only giving option that allows you to join with tens of thousands of others to focus our resources where we can have the greatest impact.

Where does the money go?
United Way volunteers from your community invest your Community Care Fund contributions in local programs that are proven to make our community stronger and safer and help people live better lives. Those programs include after-school and mentoring activities that keep children safe and productive when they are not in school, job and life skills training to make people more employment-ready, help for people with basic needs and more.

Can I give directly to my favorite agency?
It is possible to direct your gift to one or more agencies that receive United Way funding or to another United Way in the country. Because United Way is in the “business” of community impact, not fundraising for agencies, we cannot help you earmark your gift to other organizations.

What else does United Way do besides fund agencies?
United Way does “whatever it takes” to help our community focus and get results on important human issues. While United Way does raise and invest dollars, we also help people volunteer, lend their professional expertise, and donate household and office items.

How do people get help from United Way?
United Way supports more than 80 programs throughout Northeastern Kentucky that help people every day. By bringing people, organizations, business and government leaders, and others together, United Way tackles the toughest issues our community faces.

Our employees and their families are struggling. How can we ask them to give?
Time and again, some of the most generous givers are those who themselves have struggled and needed a helping hand from our community. Everyone should be given an opportunity to express caring through charitable giving, to enjoy the emotional reward that comes from knowing her or she has helped our community become safer and stronger.

How do the troubles at other United Ways and other nonprofits affect our United Way?
They do not. Each one of the 1350 United Ways in the country is autonomous and managed by local volunteers. In Northeastern Kentucky, hundreds of volunteer leaders from all walks of life are involved in and oversee every detail of United Way operations, from fundraising to investments to financial management.

How does an organization apply to receive funding from United Way?
Each year, when resources allow, United Way invites applications from organizations that can demonstrate measurable results in addressing issues our community has identified as most important. If your organization would like more information about partnering with United Way, please contact United Way of Northeast Kentucky.

How much of the money raised by United Way is used for administrative purposes?
The Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance Standards for Charity Accountability state that fundraising expenses should be no more than 35% of all related contributions (for more information, go to www.give.org). Less than 15 cents of every dollar raised by our United Way is used for fundraising and administration — making it one of the lowest overhead costs of any nonprofit in the nation. United Way can be this efficient because community support keeps costs to a bare minimum – including extensive volunteer leadership, executives “loaned” by companies, public service advertising donations and more.

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact United Way of Northeast Kentucky by email at uway@uwnek.org or by phone at 606-325-1810.