How can I review United Way’s 990 and audit?

Who runs the United Way?

YOU make up the United Way team along with your friends, co-workers and neighbors. Dedicated volunteers donate their time and talents each year to set goals, organize campaigns, solicit gifts, budget funds, identify and determine community priorities and distribute dollars. How can I make sure my donations will help my local community?
United Way of Central Massachusetts is locally governed, organized and operated. We fund more than 70 health and human services programs at 40 agencies throughout Central Massachusetts.

How can I be sure my gift is spent wisely?

A group of 90 volunteers comprise the United Way Community Solutions Council. These dedicated volunteers make the funding decisions for our community. They make sure that designated funds are distributed according to donor wishes, and then they invest the undesignated funds to agency and community needs.

How does United Way’s fund raising and administrative cost as a percentage of total revenue compare to other not-for-profits?
The Better Business Bureau indicates that it is reasonable for charities to use up to 25% of the money they raise for fund raising and administrative costs. The United Way of Central Massachusetts works hard, with the help of many volunteers, to control overhead costs so that they are well below what is considered reasonable and lower than the typical costs incurred by the vast majority of not-for-profit organizations.

My family has no need for United Way programs. Isn’t it just for the poor?

Everyone benefits from United Way funded programs, although they may not realize it. We all benefit from community wide disaster preparation and response in the case of weather and fire emergency. Nearly every family has benefited from United Way agencies such as the American Red Cross, YMCA or Boys & Girls Club of Worcester. Unfortunately illness, disabilities, family problems, mental disorders and the challenge of growing old may happen to anyone.

Did United Way of America have a scandal several ago?

The 1993 scandal at United Way of America, involving long-time president William Aramony, was exposed in large part thanks to UWA staffers and internal audits. He was sentenced to prison and changes were made to the UWA board to ensure proper accountability. United Way of America provides valuable training, resources and national pro bono advertising, but it does not own or direct local United Ways. All United Ways are completely separate and independent charities. The financial integrity of the United Way of Central Massachusetts is sound.

I prefer to support one or two agencies directly. Can I continue with that process?

Many people in our community contribute both to United Way and to particular agencies. They contribute to United Way in order to ensure that there is a network of health and human services to assist people. Clients of agencies frequently use the services of multiple agencies.

Here are some of the benefits you receive by giving through United Way:

• Payroll deductions make it easier for you to give.
   

• Our agencies agree to use United Way funds directly for services, and the money must be used for local programs.
   

• Volunteers like you distribute the funding after studying local needs, enabling the community to solve problems and ensuring that your dollars help as many people as possible.
   

• You still have total flexibility and can designate some or your entire gift to a United Way agency or any tax-exempt human services agency.

I pay a lot of taxes, so I’m doing enough to help. Why should I give to United Way ?

Your tax dollars do support many social services in this community. Unfortunately, we have seen dramatic reductions in federal and state support of social services over the past ten years, and we expect the trend to continue. Local services are considered to be the responsibility of the local community. That is why we need your help to continue services.

I don’t believe people should be forced to give, so I will not participate in an employee campaign. Why should I participate ?

United Way’s Board of Directors has a strong policy against coercion. We believe that contributing to help people should be an individual and voluntary decision. Working with United Way volunteers and staff, you can design an education campaign and then provide your employees the opportunity to help solve problems right in their community.

How can I review United Way’s 990 and audit?

Both are posted on United Way’s web site here. In addition to our website, Form 990’s and audits for the previous three years are available for review during normal business hours (9am-5pm), Monday through Friday at our main office: Suite 300, 484 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608. You may also make a request in writing to the Vice President of Finance and Administration at the same address or via email to jhayes@unitedwaycm.org.