Campaign Frequently Asked Questions | United Way of Fulton County, Ohio

How does United Way raise money?
What are my options for giving?
Where does my money go?
Why should I give if I haven't been helped?
If someone can't afford to give much, will a small donation do any good?
Is giving to United Way voluntary?
Why should I give to United Way? Why not just donate directly to an agency?
Why should I give if my spouse/partner already gives?
What if I don't want my money to go to a certain agency?
What is the minimm for a donation to United Way?
What is the easiest way to contribute?
Why should I contribute to the United Way if I pay taxes?
I do not live in the area where I work. Why should I contribute to the United Way?
Is my contribution tax deductible?
Do I get a receipt for my donation?

How does United Way raise money?

United Way contributions come from workplace campaigns, individual donations and donations from companies throughout Fulton County.

What are my options for giving?

Donating to United Way is easy. You can give through payroll deduction, with cash or a check, by electronic funds transfer, or by credit card. (Credit card pledges are only available by making an online donation, which is found under the "Give" tab.

Where does my money go?

United Way serves all of Fulton County. Donations are allocated to programs and agencies within five focus areas: Education, Income, Health, Essential Services, and Community Building. Our Board of Drectors, made up of local volunteers, determines which programs are funded. Based upon donors' wishes, contributions may also be designated to a local partner agency.

Why should I give if I haven't been helped?

Many people give because a growing number of our most vulnerable are not in a position to help themselves. There is a great need in our community for the services offered by the United Way's funded programs. You never know when a family member, neighbor, friend, or even yourself may need or have used the services provided through United Way funding.

If someone can't afford to give much, will a small donation do any good?

Every gift gives hope and improves lives. Even a modest gift per pay period can help provide solutions to the most pressing health and human services in our community. It's not the size of one gift - it is all of us giving together that makes United Way a unique and powerful concept. Every donation matters!

Is giving to United Way voluntary?

Absolutely. Giving to United Way is strictly voluntary. United Way does not use or approve of coercion. Education about how United Way agencies help people is the best way to encourage contribution.

Why should I give to United Way? Why not just donate directly to an agency?

Charitable giving is a personal and voluntary decision and the United Way of Fulton County encourages you to do what is most comfortable to you. A gift to United Way of Fulton County is an investment that benefits the entire community, not just one program, issue, or population.

There are many valuable non-profit organizations in the area that you may care about. United Way provides an opportunity for your one gift to support a variety of local needs. If everyone designated their gifts to their favorite agency, many services to those in need would not be available to the community. Through one gift to United Way, you can accomplish so much good!

You can also be assured that your gift to United Way of Fulton County goes directly to fund programs that help people most in need. United Way conducts periodic needs assessments to ensure donor dollars are addressing the most pressing community needs. We also monitor funded programs and initiatives annually to make sure they are efficiently and effectively improving people's lives and making a positive impact.

Finally, contributing through United Way guarantees agencies funds they can rely on every month rather than depending on sporadic contributions.

Why should I give if my spouse/partner already gives?

United Way of Fulton County believes that charitable giving is a personal and voluntary decision. We encourage each spouse/partner to participate in his/her employer's United Way workplace campaign. The combined total of both gifts may qualify you for leadership giving recognition.

What if I don't want my money to go to a certain agency?

Not every agency appeals to every donor, but all agencies have met the meticulous standards of our United Way and the programs we fund meet needs within our community. If you like, you can designate to any one agency that fits your charitable goals.

What is the minimm for a donation to United Way?

There is no minimum donation to the United Way. We maximize your gift by combining it with other gifts to fund a range of program throughout Fulton County, helping address critical needs in our community. Companies may choose to set a reasonable minimum amount per pay period to be eligibl for payroll deduction.

What is the easiest way to contribute?

Payroll deduction is by far the most convenient method of contribution. A small amount is taken from your paycheck per payday, allowing you to make a small contribution each week than can make a big difference in the course of a year.

Why should I contribute to the United Way if I pay taxes?

Your tax dollars do support many social services in the community. Unfortunately, we have seen dramatic reductions in Federal and State support of social servies over the past 10 years and we expect that trend to continue. Local services are perceived to be the responsibility of the local community. That is why we need your help to continue these important services.

I do not live in the area where I work. Why should I contribute to the United Way?

You can direct gifts to United Ways serving your own community through the Untied Way's donor choice program.

Is my contribution tax deductible?

Your gift is tax deductible to the full extent of the law, as long as you itemize deductions.

Do I get a receipt for my donation?

It depends on the amount of your gift and how it was made. If you made your gift through payroll deductions, a receipt is not necessary. Should you need a receipt for itemized tax purporses, you can use your December 31 paystub or your W-2 if your employers shows that information.

For gifts of $250 or greater paid in cash or individual payments, receipts are mailed at the end of January. Per tax law, this receipt also confirms that the donor did not receive any goods or services in exchange for their gift. Gifts less than $250 do not, by tax law, require a receipt from the charity that receives it.

If you used a three-part pledge card, please keep the pink copy for your records.