Siouxland United Way FAQ's

United Way is a local community-managed, non-profit organization. Volunteer committees oversee all major functions of the organization and a small professional staff administers the day-to-day operations.
United Way is dedicated to effectively investing the community's financial and human resources to make a better community for us all.
United Way raises funds and invests them in health and human service programs in 26 local agencies.
United Way works with local volunteers, community agencies, and others to find solutions to our community's most pressing problems.

Who benefits from United Way?

People in need--your family, friends, neighbors and you.

Your local United Way is supported by and helps provide health and human services to everyone who works or lives in northwest Iowa, northeast Nebraska, and southeast South Dakota.
People who live and/or work in Siouxland may access services through the programs and agencies United Way supports.
Last year United Way of Siouxland, through its member agencies, touched the lives of 1 in 3 people in the Siouxland area.

Where does my money go?

Your United Way investment goes where it's needed most.

Gifts to United Way help fund more than 26 local agencies.
Your gift to United Way enables local agencies to provide the right combination of assistance to local people who need help... in every way they need it. This means a homeless person who needs shelter can also receive food, counseling, and job training.
Funds are also set aside for unanticipated needs of member agencies and other program providers addressing critical community problems, such as teen pregnancy, homeless families, child care, infant health, and many others.
United Way also allows you to direct your contribution to help address specific community issues, or to support a specific health and human service agency.

How cost effective is United Way?

100% of your contribution stays in Siouxland.

United Way of Siouxland has implemented Corporate Champions. A select group of Siouxland businesses that have come together to cover the cost of United Way's administration. These businesses realize that in order to be effective in it's mission, staff costs and general administrative costs are necessary. Because of these Corporate Champions, 100% of all employee, individual and all other corporate gifts go directly to people who need it most through services provided by the 26 affiliated agencies in the Siouxland area.

Who decides which agencies to fund?

Local volunteers, people like you, invest United Way funds.

Hundreds of local volunteers, including a Board of Directors, devote thousands of hours to determine how your funds will have the greatest impact in our community.
During United Way's extensive annual citizen-review process, 30 to 40 local volunteers assess community needs and determine how to distribute funds.

What requirements must United Way agencies meet?

United Way agencies must meet strict guidelines.

An agency must demonstrate that it is performing an essential service to the community.
It must be a tax-exempt, non-profit corporation governed by a volunteer managing board whose members are elected. Its operations are to be conducted by a trained, professional staff where appropriate.
It must undergo an independent annual financial audit or equivalent evaluation and must meet reasonable standards of financial responsibility and efficiency.

Why do some member organizations charge fees?

No service provider is completely funded by United Way dollars.

Organizations may depend upon service or membership fees, endowments, or grants for financial support.
Frequently, organizations offer sliding fee schedules so that people are charged, where appropriate, based on their ability to pay.

Who is ultimately responsible for the activities of United Way and for the funds it raises and invests?

Members of our community govern United Way.

The volunteer members of the Board of Directors are accountable to the community to see that United Way is properly managed.

Where do United Way dollars come from?

United Way contributions come from individuals like you and from companies throughout Siouxland.

How much money did United Way raise in last year's campaign?

United Way raised $3,001,156 in last year's campaign.

If I choose to designate my gift, is it on top of what the program already receives from United Way?

Yes. Designated funds are not taken into consideration when volunteers make their annual funding decisions.

Why do many of the agencies supported by United Way hold fundraisers or ask for contributions? I thought United Way contributions were enough.

The United Way is the largest private supporter for most agencies, though not the only one.
United Way directs its funds to specific programs achieving specific outcomes. Other programs provided by the agencies need support as well.
United Way is the best way to give, but not the only way to give to those causes you support.

How are United Way of Siouxland and United Way of America affiliated?

United Way of Siouxland is a local, non-profit organization accountable to the local community--not to United Way of America or any other group.
United Way of America is the national service and training center, supporting its 2,100 independent members with national services that include advertising, training, corporate relations, research, networks, and government relations. The national center does not raise or distribute funds.
Our local United Way pays a fee for these services (about three-quarters of one cent of every dollar raised.) The United Way of Siouxland, in turn, gets four times this fee back in services and training from United Way of America.

Do United Way funds support abortion?

No dollars invested in United Way-funded programs support abortion in any way.

What else does United Way do?

There's more to United Way...lots more! Your United Way provides a variety of services to the community that enhance the programs offered by our agency partners.