Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does United Way of Palm Beach County help our community?
United Way of Palm Beach County is a local organization whose mission is to improve measurably the lives of individuals and families in Palm Beach County by uniting the resources of donors, volunteers, agencies and the community. We act as a convener who unites all sectors of the community - business, education, local government, nonprofits, faith based, labor unions and the media - to collaborate on solutions to issues affecting our community. By forming these partnerships, we ultimately change lives.
2. How is United Way of Palm Beach County different from other nonprofit organizations?
United Way of Palm Beach County exists for one reason –- to help the community 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, which produce measurable results.
3. Who operates United Way of Palm Beach County?
Local volunteers! Volunteers serving on our 54-member volunteer board of directors set policy and provide the overall direction for all activities. Hundreds of other knowledgeable community volunteers serve on committees, conduct research, analyze issues, build partnerships, oversee fiscal matters and make recommendations to the board of directors. Our professional staff works side-by-side with the board and committee volunteers investing your contributions in local programs that are proven to make our community stronger and safer, and help people live better lives.
4. Why should I invest in my community through United Way of Palm Beach County?
United Way of Palm Beach County is the most powerful way for you to make a difference in our community. Your donation goes far... but not far away! We hold ourselves and our partners accountable not just for action, but for measurable results. Through our partnerships, we identify the needs of our community. Then we develop comprehensive plans to achieve community impact. We have the experience and more than 80 years of expertise to truly be the leader and catalyst for positive change. However, we do not rest on our laurels. We explore alternatives and seek new, creative ways to solve community problems.
5. What else does United Way of Palm Beach County do besides raise money and fund programs?
We do “whatever it takes” to help our community come together and get results on important issues. While United Way of Palm Beach County does raise and invest dollars, we also do so much more. We help people come together as one community to identify and address the issues that affect all of us. We build partnerships with donors, corporations, nonprofits, foundations, neighborhood associations, and government agencies, to strategically tackle important problems. We provide information, education, and a forum for advocacy. Through “211,” we connect people who need help with local resources. We help people and corporations volunteer in the community, and lend their time and expertise to providing solutions that matter.
6. What is United Way of Palm Beach County’s community impact?
Focusing on measurably improving the lives of individuals and families in Palm Beach County has helped United Way become the nation’s leading community solutions partner. Through our local Community Action Plan, we are producing measurable results through the following Targeted Care Areas:
7. What partnerships have United Way of Palm Beach County formed?
To advance our community impact, we provide leadership for a number of partnerships with individuals, nonprofits, government agencies, neighborhood associations, and corporations. A few of these partnerships are:
8. Why choose the Community Care Fund?
An investment in the Community Care Fund is the best way to make measurable improvements in the lives of people in Palm Beach County. In addition, programs receiving funding from the Community Care Fund are monitored and evaluated, making sure dollars are well spent and results are achieved. If concerns relating to the proper stewardship of funds are discovered, United Way of Palm Beach County will withhold funds until an approved corrective action plan is accomplished.
9. Is it possible to direct your gift to a specific agency?
We give donors the option of designating a gift to a specific agency. The designated agency or organization must be a 501(c)(3) of active status, and comply with the Patriot Act. Otherwise, the gift will be directed to the Community Care Fund, in accordance with our designation policy. Processing fees on designated gifts will be charged based on United Way of America's standard calculation.
Designations for the 2008-2009 campaign will be paid out based on the following schedule:
| February 2010 | Fully paid pledges collected through December 31, 2009 (minimum designation amount paid: $250) |
| April 2010 | Pledges collected through February 28, 2010 (minimum designation amount paid: $250 accumulative) |
| July 2010 | Pledges collected through May 31, 2010 (minimum designation amount paid: $250 accumulative) |
| October 2010 | Pledges collected through August 31, 2010 (minimum designation amount paid: $250 accumulative) |
| January 2011 | Pledges collected through November 30, 2010 (minimum designation amount paid: $250 accumulative) |
| April 2011 | Pledges collected through February 28, 2011 (all designations that have not been paid in the previous payment cycles will be paid in this payment cycle; minimum $5.00) |
Please note designated gifts are not necessarily used for programs that help people. They can be used for any agency expense. Unlike investments in the Community Care Fund, United Way of Palm Beach County staff and volunteers do not monitor designated gifts and there are no guarantees of fiscal accountability and/or measurable results from the specific agency. All organizations or agencies that receive undesignated funds from the Community Care Fund have their programs evaluated by United Way of Palm Beach County to make certain the agency’s programs are achieving outcomes and are making a difference in people’s lives.
10. How does an organization apply for United Way of Palm Beach County funding?
Periodically, United Way will do a request for proposals. These requests are carefully reviewed and evaluated by volunteers. Using many factors in their deliberations, these volunteers make recommendations that are taken to the board of directors for consideration and approval. Besides the specific request, organizations must meet or exceed our Standards of Accountability.
11. What are United Way of Palm Beach County’s Standards of Accountability Partner Agencies must follow?
Briefly, they are:
12. How much does it cost to run United Way of Palm Beach County?
13 cents of every dollar is used for fund raising and administrative costs. 87 center goes toward programs and services. According to Charity Navigator, an acceptable percentage is 25%.
We can be this efficient because great community support keeps costs to a bare minimum including extensive volunteer leadership, executives “loaned” by companies, public service advertising donations, and more.
13. How do the troubles at other United Way and other nonprofits affect United Way of Palm Beach County?
Not at all! Each of the 1,300 United Way in the nation is autonomous and managed by local volunteers. At United Way of Palm Beach County, volunteer leaders are involved in, and monitor every detail of our operations, from fund raising to investments to financial management.
14. What is the relationship with United Way of America?
United Way of America is a membership organization, holding the rights to the name “United Way” and the brandmark. However, United Way of America neither governs nor sets policy for United Way of Palm Beach County or for any other United Way. In return for annual dues, we receive services of real value including professional training, national advertising, best practices, market research, and access to discounted supplies and materials. Our local volunteer-led board of directors sets policies and goals, exercises fiscal controls, and guides the effective operations of United Way of Palm Beach County.
15. How did United Way of Palm Beach County begin?
Following the devastating hurricane of 1928, community leaders recognized the need for a unified effort to respond to human needs. As a result, in 1929, several federated organizations were formed in Palm Beach County. Since that time, the original organizations have undergone many changes in title and structure. At one time, four separate organizations existed in Palm Beach County. After several mergers, United Way of Palm Beach County, Inc., was formed in 1992.
Today, United Way of Palm Beach County serves all of Palm Beach County, except for the island of Palm Beach, which is served by Town of Palm Beach United Way.
16. What is the significance of United Way of Palm Beach County’s brandmark?
In 2004, United Ways across the nation began using a modified version of the United Way symbol. The new brandmark maintains the same elements of our mission. The hand is a symbol of purpose; the person represents the people in Palm Beach County whose lives we improve; the rainbow represents reach and hope.
United Way organizations across the nation are using this modified symbol. Whether you are in Palm Beach County, San Francisco or Des Moines, Iowa, you will clearly be able to recognize the United Way brandmark.