United Way of Alachua County
Know The Way. United Way.
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What is United Way? 
United
Way of Alachua County is North Central Florida's premier charity.
United
Way was established in 1957 by members in our community who
wanted
to help their neighbors in need. With more than 45 years of
experience
in North Central Florida and expertise in the field of helping
others,
no other charitable organization makes it so easy for neighbors to
come
together to make a measurable difference in our community. Why give
to
United Way? Go
here
for more information.
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Who runs
United Way of Alachua County?
It
is directed by local volunteers who oversee every aspect of the
organization,
including the small professional staff. They plan the annual
fund-raising
effort, organize the campaign, collect contributions and determine
how dollars raised should be distributed to United Way agencies.
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Aren't
United
Way agencies just for the poor?
No.
Contributed
dollars are distributed where they will do the most good. United
Way
agencies provide services that benefit the entire community. Perhaps
you,
a co-worker or a member of your family has benefited from the
services
of a United Way agency. Back to top |
What is
the meaning of the United Way symbol?
The
United Way logo combines three simple messages: 
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Hope For A Better Tomorrow The rainbow overhead, emerging from the hand to shelter the figure, represents hope of a better life possible through United Way. |
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Care About All People The center image, based on the universal symbol of mankind, is cradled by the helping hand. It shows that all people are uplifted by United Way. |
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Support For Local Communities The bottom is a helping hand symbolizing United Way's support of services and programs that in turn support the people in local communities. Back to top |
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Why
should
I volunteer?
How can
I volunteer?
You can call United Way at (352) 331-2800 or
The Volunteer Center
at (352) 378-2552 for available volunteer
opportunities.
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How are
United Way of America and our United Way related?
United
Way of Alachua County is completely independent from United Way of
America,
and like the 1,400 United Ways across the country, our United Way
is
a local organization providing resources to local health and human
service
agencies. All policies, procedures and decisions are determined by
local volunteers - members of our community. United Way of America
provides
training, advertising resources and consulting services to local
United
Ways. Back to top |
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What are
the operating costs of our United Way and how do they compare to
other
organizations?
According to the National Charities Information Bureau, as much as 40 percent of a charitable organization's budget may be used to cover expenses. According to standards set by the Better Business Bureau, an overhead of up to 50 percent is acceptable. United Way of Alachua County keeps overhead costs low so your money is used to help those who need it most.Back to top |
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What
requirements
must United Way agencies meet?
An
agency must demonstrate that it performs an essential service to
the
community. It must be a tax-exempt, non-profit corporation
governed
by an elected, volunteer managing board. Additionally, it must have
an
annual, independent financial audit and meet reasonable standards
of
financial responsibility and efficiency. Back to top |
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Can
United
Way accept a planned gift?
Yes.
United
Way of Alachua County has created a community-wide endowment called
The Tomorrow Fund
. This fund will allow planned gifts to be
made to United Way that will leave a lasting legacy to our
community. Back to top |
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Can I
designate
a gift?
Yes.
Contributors
may designate all or a portion of their gift to United Way's
Community
Care Fund, a specific funded agency, another United Way or any
organization
in Florida that meets specific criteria. When a contribution is
designated
to a specific agency, the gift is limited to help only one
agency,
instead of all the agencies United Way of Alachua
County
supports. Back to top |
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Why
should
I give if funded agencies haven't helped me or my family?
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Can my
contribution
be done through payroll deduction?
Yes.
United Way offers the opportunity to spread your charitable giving
over
the course of a year through payroll deduction. A part of the
donation
will be taken out of each paycheck. Back to top |
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Why do
companies
hold United Way campaigns?
Our
family of agencies depend on United Way contributions to meet the
needs of our community. Because 80 percent of all funds raised by
United
Way are contributed by employees through workplace campaigns, we
rely
on organizations to allow their employees the chance to
participate.
Through payroll deduction, United Way campaigns provide employees an
easy,
simple, convenient way to support our community, if they choose to do
so. Back to top |
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Does
United
Way pressure people to give?
No. Under
no circumstances should an employee be threatened or coerced into
contributing.
Giving is a personal matter, and whether you give and how much you
choose to give is up to you. Back to top |
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Does my
contribution help individuals in other communities?
Yes,
your contribution does help people in other
communities
. United Way's agencies help people in Bradford, Dixie,
Gilchrist,
Levy, and Union counties. Back to top |
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What are
some examples of my contribution
helping
others?
$1 a week ($52) provides 45 meals for the hungry at The Salvation Army. $3 a week ($156) provides dental cleanings for 15 children at ACORN Clinic. $5 a week ($260) provides one week of quality subsidized child care at Child Care Resources. $12 a week ($624) provides 42 prescriptions to individuals without insurance who are in a health crisis at Catholic Charities Bureau. A leadership gift of $1,040 ($20 a week) provides scholarships for three children to attend the Florida Camp for Children and Youth with Diabetes.Back to top |
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Who
makes
sure my donation is being used wisely?
To ensure that your donation is being used wisely,
more
than 125 experienced community volunteers review the agencies'
budgets
and programs. Through on-site visits, agency presentations and
financial
disclosures, these local volunteers make sure that your
contribution
is being well spent to help people in our community. Back to top |
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How is the Community Care Fund distributed?
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United Way Mission: To increase the organized capacity of people to care for one another. |
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United Way of Alachua County Site was restored to thank all who helped children and to keep useful information You cannot donate United Way via this site now © 2003 United Way of Alachua County |