FAQs

United Way is a registered charitable organization. We are a community of people with a common goal of caring. People like you offering a hand to people in need. By helping people in our community, we are changing lives. Below are some general questions that are asked of the United Way. If you have any questions, please refer to 'Contact Us' at the top of the page for information on how to email or mail or even phone us your questions! We want to hear from you!

1.

A) United Way of Quinte gives $0.86 of every dollar raised to our community agencies through program allocations and special services. United Way of Quinte fundraising and administration costs of 14% compare very favourably to the average cost ratio of other Canadian Charities, cited at 26% according to a recent Canada Centre for Philanthropy Survey. Annually, over 800 volunteers work with United Way, keeping expenses to a minimum so that donor dollars get to the people who need it most!

2.

A) United Way of Quinte's priority needs are: Families Under Stress, Vulnerable Individuals, and Children & Youth. United Way uses a variety of methods to stay on top of the changing needs, including the annual agency review, involvement in a variety of community forums, and other health and social service surveys. It is generally agreed upon within the United Way movement that a full Priority Setting Process should be completed every 5 years. We recently completed an environmental scan, the results of which will help streamline our funding priorities in the future.

3.

A) You are someone else's someone else. Check the list of agencies supported by the United Way of Quinte. Chances are, you will recognize an agency a close friend or family member has already used. It is estimated that one in every four residents in Hastings and Prince Edward County uses a United Way funded agency each year. Please don't leave to others what you believe is worth doing. By giving, you become an inspiration to those around you to give as well.

4.

A) Most individuals entrust their gift to the organization, allowing experienced volunteers and staff using the Citizen's Process to determine where their donations will have the greatest impact. However, donors who wish to may direct their gift to a specific United Way funded agency or another United Way. As a special service, United Way donors may also direct a portion of their gift to any registered Canadian Health and/or Social Service charity.

5.

A) Any registered non-profit organization providing health and social services in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties may apply for membership. To receive funding, an agency must meet the rigorous management and performance criteria which are part of the Volunteer Review process. All agencies funded by United Way of Quinte are unique and provide a service not duplicated by other funded agencies.

6.

A) Payroll deduction makes it easy to give through United Way. This convenient method allows you to spread the payment of your gift over the entire year. Your donation appears on your T4 slip so you don't have to keep track of a tax receipt. The donor choice option on the pledge card allows you to allocate your entire annual charitable budget and support all of your favourite charities with one gift. The regular payments are more manageable than lump sum donations to various solicitions received throughtout the year.

7.

A) What you donate to United Way is an individual choice and should be a decision made by yourself or with your family. We cannot tell you what to donate because every individual's life-situation is different, and therefore what is allocated towards yearly charitable contributions varies as well. We can tell you that no gift is too small, so if you're thinking that $1.00 a week won't make a difference, please reconsider.

8.

A)United Way disbursements are used by agencies to fund only a portion of the programs and services they provide. United Way does not allocate 100% funding to any of its agencies. In fact, all agencies are encouraged to diversify their funding sources to reduce dependency on any one funder and avoid potential hardship should a shift occur in government policy or a major loss happen to United Way.

9.

A) In an era of government down-loading and funding cuts, the not-for-profit sector has been forced to find new efficiencies by sharing resources and creating innovative partnerships to collaborate on projects. United Way recognizes that community capacity building is a necessary component of strengthening out health and social service network. Although United Way can not fund all the necessary programs in our communities, offering leadership development support to the non-profit sector and acting as a catalyst for bringing people together over common issues can be added value to an agency just struggling to serve the needs of their clients.

10.

A) United Way of Quinte recognizes that our youth are indeed our future. However, we also realize that young people have a great deal to contribute today. Young volunteers bring with them incredible knowledge, skills and enthusiasm. We work with Volunteer and Information Quinte, Loyalist College and the local school boards to utilize youth volunteers in all facets of our organization.

11.

A) All the money raised by United Way of Quinte stays in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties unless otherwise designated by the donor. While United Way of Canada is our parent organization, each of the 125 United Way's across the country are autonomous and governed by a local Board of Directors. Our donations do not flow through our national head office, they stay right here in our community.