We're glad when individuals want to know more about the United Way of the Tanana Valley. Here are some questions that are asked fairly often, as well as their answers. You may have different or complex questions, and we want to fully answer them. Please visit the About the United Way and Our Work pages, or call 907-452-7211 for more information.
What does United Way of the Tanana Valley do?
United Way of the Tanana Valley is a unique community partnership that brings together the people and resources of the Fairbanks area to address community-wide issues. United Way:
- creates meaningful change in our community.
- mobilizes the community's resources, uniting businesses, government, charitable sectors, and citizens to solve community-wide problems and create lasting changes in community conditions;
- provides funding and management assistance to the non-profit sector; and
- links donors to the issues they care about.
United Way of America is a trade association for all United Ways. Local United Ways can choose to belong and purchase services from this organization. United Way of America has its own volunteer board of directors and sets its own policy for operation, including the salary and benefits of its executives. United Way of the Tanana Valley pays less than 1% of the amount raised to belong to the organization. We receive training opportunities, technical and organizational support, as well as national media support.
How do I know the money I give goes where it's needed most?
United Way works in the community to monitor needs, identify and fill gaps, and track program results. United Way's distribution process ensures that campaign proceeds are spent wisely and outcomes are measured. In this process, United Way recruits volunteers from the community and together with professional staff they identify community needs, carefully review the programs and budgets of funded agencies, and follow through to ensure the effective delivery of the services funded.
When I give to United Way, how much choice do I have over where my money goes?
The majority of donors who give to United Way do so because they believe in the system of community care established and supported by United Way. The Community Care Fund supports agencies that address community-wide concerns. However, individual donors may also direct their contributions in a number of ways through United Way's Donor Option program. This program is United Way of the Tanana Valley's method of providing the best possible service to individual donors in our community. Your gift can be given to any other nonprofit organization as long as it offers services in Alaska, has tax deductibility status (501 (c)(3)), and is not exclusively religious in nature.
How can I be sure my money is going where I direct it to go?
Both internal and external audits are performed to certify the accuracy of our operations.
How much of my contribution actually goes where it is needed?
We're proud of our effectiveness. Ninety percent of your gift goes to help fund community building activities including the services of our 24 member agencies and the collaborative community services provided by United Way. Ten percent of your donation helps to pay for the fund-raising and administration costs at United Way. Thanks to the work of hundreds of volunteers and the generosity of many sponsors, United Way of the Tanana Valley is able to keep our costs extremely low.
Where does most of the United Way money come from?
Of those dollars donated in Fairbanks, 72% comes from individuals, the rest is from corporations.
Why do some agencies raise funds when United Way already funds them?
Demand for services from funded agencies exceed the dollars available from United Way; the funds provided to the agencies account for up to 14% of some of their funding. The United Way could address all the present fundraising needs of its agencies if it were to raise the community's realistic potential of $2,000,000. However, if you have given at a leadership level to United Way, and you feel over-asked by member agencies, please tell them that you have given significantly to United Way and choose to not give to them directly.
Why aren't all agencies a part of United Way?
Agencies are given an opportunity to apply biannually, but the number of agencies or programs funded depends upon campaign dollars raised in addition to the priority issues United Way has identified through our COMPASS II project. Some agencies also choose not to apply for membership.
I feel I am being pressured to give.
Voluntary giving is what United Way is all about – no one should feel forced to give. In fact, United Way has a policy against coercion. Campaign volunteers explain the benefits of giving one gift that helps many, but the decision to give is strictly personal.
Why should I give? I never use agency programs.
Statistics show that 1 in 3 people use United Way services in their lifetime, and your support ensures that you, your loved ones, your friends, and your neighbors have help when needed. Your gifts are an investment in the quality of life in the community where we live, raise our families, work, and retire.
How do I benefit by giving to United Way of the Tanana Valley?
You can feel assured your money is well spent and will reach people in need right here in our community. You can feel especially good because:
- You are part of a community-wide effort to make a difference for those in need;
- Long-term solutions to community problems are identified and implemented; and
- Fundraising costs are well below the National Charities Information Bureau standard.
The power of your gift combined with the gifts of others is far greater than the power of your gift alone. Unless you make a major gift of thousands of dollars, your gift can't fund a program; but when leveraged with the gifts of others through United Way, it can.