Frequently Asked Questions
Are programs supported by United Way of Story County provided throughout Story County or just in Ames?
Almost ALL of the 90+ services and initiatives supported by UWSC donors are provided throughout Story County. Statistics are available to give you a snapshot of that county-wide service provision. Please contact UWSC at 515-268-5142 or unitedway@uwstory.org for more information.

I live outside of Story County. Can I still participate in the UWSC Annual Campaign?
The needs that are met by UWSC donors are very similar to needs in surrounding counties. In those counties there are other organizations, similar to UWSC, that are helping meet the needs. If you want to designate your annual campaign gift to the county where you live, it’s very simple. You can still support your workplace campaign, but simply fill out a Donor Choice Card and note the county where you live. UWSC will send your donation to that county.

I don’t think I know anyone who is affected.
We estimate that over 30,000 people who live or work in Story County are utilizing one or more services supported by UWSC donors. You may not know it, but you probably have neighbors, co-workers, family members, or others who are impacted.

Why give to United Way? Why not give directly to agencies?
Certainly the most important thing is to give. The advantage of giving through UWSC is that, because of our work throughout the community, we are aware of the most pressing needs in Story County. Our process for distributing funds allows us to support specific services that are addressing those needs. So you can be sure your contribution is being used where it will do the most good. We fund services – and agencies that receive funds are accountable that they’re using them to support those services.

How much of each donation is actually used to fund services? How efficient is UWSC?
UWSC’s administrative overhead is 16.47%. These administrative dollars allow us to operate as a professional business. The Federal government recommends an administrative overhead of 25% or less, and we are in an appropriate range for our size organization. We have decreased our overhead by 2% in the last five years.

We pay 1% of our total campaign revenue for membership in United Way of America. That allows us to use the United Way name and logo and also connects us with many valuable resources offered by United Way of America. There are 1400 UW’s across the country and we’re all autonomous, locally governed organizations. United Way of America sets policies for us only in the areas of accountability and licensing of the name and logo.

UWSC is by far the most efficient method to fund services for so little administrative cost to partner agencies that provide services.

How much of the money stays in Story County?
Unless designated elsewhere, every contribution supports programs right here in Story County to meet the needs of local people who live and work here. When you discount contributions that are designated out of the county, 99% of contributions stay in Story County, either to fund the 90+ services and initiatives or UWSC.

I only want to support some of the UWSC partner agencies – OR – There’s an agency I don’t want to support.
Though we encourage donors to give to the pool of funds that supports many programs and people, we recognize and respect the wish of some donors to designate or exclude. That can easily be done on a donor choice card. Designations are on top of allocations that go through the regular process and exclusions truly result in decreased funding to those organizations.

What is UWSC’s nondiscrimination policy?
The UWSC Board of Directors passed a nondiscrimination policy on June 26, 2003 and anyone who wishes to see it may contact the UWSC office at 515-268-5142 or at unitedway@uwstory.org. All partner agencies must agree to abide by this policy, and other applicable UWSC policies, when they sign their annual contracts each spring.

Why do agencies fund raise in addition to receiving UWSC support?
In this day and age, the generous support of UWSC donors does not, in most cases, fully fund the cost of providing services. Partner agencies do not do individual fundraising during the UWSC campaign period, other than a few events and product sales.
 
Combined Federal Campaign 2007