F.A.Q.
Informed Decisions Matter...
Why should I give if I don't live in Fond du Lac County?
You can send your gift to the United Way serving the area in which you live. Just indicate on your pledge card which United Way should receive your gift. The Fond du Lac Area United Way will see that it gets there.
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How much of my gift actually goes to help people?
The Fond du Lac Area United Way distributes about 85 percent of its revenue to agencies serving people in Fond du Lac County. We use about 15 percent for fundraising, community building and administrative costs. This is below the norm as the Better Business Bureau says no more than 30 percent should be spent on administration and fundraising, while the federal Office of Management and Budget sets it at 25 percent.
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Why should I give to the Fond du Lac Area United Way instead of directly to an agency of my choice?
There are lots of benefits to giving through the Fond du Lac United Way.
- You are only asked for a gift once a year.
- There is a considerable "value added" to United Way giving. Experienced, trained community volunteers work diligently to identify and address pressing problems. In addition, they monitor the effectiveness of funded programs, ensuring the positive impact of your investment on the community.
- Your one gift currently helps fund 30 local human care programs. These programs and services affected more than 7,328 people in the Fond du Lac area last year.
- Your gift goes where it is needed the most now. Our board member volunteers meet with agencies to review audits, budgets, and needs before agreeing on how much funding to provide to each program. Sound fiscal management and responsibility is a requirement for every allocation.
- Your gift stays at home. Ninety-nine percent of Fond du Lac Area United Way's revenue is spent in the Fond du Lac area every year.
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My spouse gives at work. Why should I give too?
We need the help of everyone who can afford to give a gift if we are to meet the growing needs of people in the Fond du Lac area. Your gift will help your company's campaign to succeed.
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What if I can only afford a "small" gift?
No gift is too small. Every dollar counts. Small gifts really add up. For example: giving just $1 weekly via payroll deduction (the price of 2 cans of soda per week) adds up to $52 per year.
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Why not just let the government help people? Heaven knows, I pay enough taxes!
With the onset of welfare reform ,and the cutting of other government programs, more and more local human services agencies are being asked to help those who may need some assistance. Our agencies are trying to help others help themselves. No one knows the local needs better than our local service providers. Sometimes individuals don't qualify for government programs, but need assistance with some aspect of their lives. It can happen to any one of us. It is good to know that help is there if and when we might need it. Fond du Lac Area United Way spending is always controlled and monitored by local volunteers who understand the needs of the Fond du Lac Area.
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Why does the Fond du Lac Area United Way ask for more money every year?
Our community is growing and the need for human care services is growing. Volunteers who decide where our available dollars will be spent always say, "Giving money away is much harder than raising it." The lack of sufficient funds forces them to make very difficult decisions as to where limited dollars are most needed now. Also, the more money United Way can raise for programs, the less fundraising agencies will have to do for themselves, leaving more staff time and energy for providing needed services.
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How much money does the Fond du Lac Area give to the United Way of America and why?
The Fond du Lac Area United Way has chosen to be a member because of the services it receives from the United Way of America. Our dues payment is three quarters of one percent total campaign revenue. Those dollars come back to us each year two and three fold in the form of income from national companies solicited on our behalf by the United Way of America (UWA). UWA provides technical support for local United Way staff, as well as national promotion via advertising during NFL football games.
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Do United Way funded agencies charge for their services?
Many United Way agencies do not charge for their services at all. Those that do charge only a small fee, or use a "sliding fee scale". This means that people pay only what they can afford to pay. United Way dollars then subsidize the rest of the cost to the agency. It is important to know that United Way dollars are not able to cover the total cost of most program services. By charging fees scaled by ability to pay, agencies are able to be there when needed, and you are assured that your gifts help those most in need.
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Who receives salaries from the Fond du Lac Area United Way?
The Fond du Lac Area United Way employs two full-time and two part-time staff. The staff organizes and coordinates the fund- raising campaign and allocations process, takes care of all record keeping related to pledges and donations, disseminates allocations to the agencies on a year-round basis, takes an active role in community development and problem solving, assists with volunteer placement and provides information and agency referral to individuals in need. All other work is done by hundreds of volunteers who give of their time and talents to make sure the human care needs in the Fond du Lac Area are being met.
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