Frequently Asked Questions
Does my contribution stay in this community?
Yes. 99% of your contribution stays local to fund agencies, programs and initiative serving Lake County, Indiana and Lansing, Illinois. The other 1% covers membership dues paid to our national and state association for use of the “United Way” brand, training and development, marketing, advocacy, research and national campaign support.
How much of my gift helps people and how much is used to cover costs?
85¢ of every dollar goes directly to agencies and initiatives. Only 15¢ is used for administrative and fundraising. This is well below the Better Business Bureau’s standard of 35% for nonprofits. Volunteers are the reason why we can keep costs so low.
Who runs United Way?
People like you are in charge. LAUW is run by a local 25 member volunteer Board of Trustees made up of your neighbors, representing a cross-section of the community. Elected to a maximum of two consecutive three-year terms, they meet monthly and are responsible for setting policy and the overall direction of LAUW, and work with the staff on day-to-day operations.
How are funding decisions made?
Approximately 100 trained and local volunteers decide where the dollars are invested based on community needs. They review and evaluate LAUW member agencies and decide the level of funding based on their service capacity. Their job is to ensure the dollars you give are invested in top-performing programs that get results. If you’d like to be an Allocations volunteer or a member of the Vision Council, call us at 219-923-2302.
My budget is tight and I can only make a small contribution. Will it really make a difference?
Yes! Big or small, every dollar makes a difference. When your donation is combined with the gifts of many other contributors, you can make positive change happen in our community. That’s the beauty and power of giving the United Way. Together, we can accomplish more than any one of us can ever do alone. That is what it means to LIVE UNITED™!
Is giving voluntary?
Yes! The decision to give or not to give is strictly yours. We believe charitable giving is a personal and voluntary decision. Lake Area United Way does not use, condone or approve of any form of coercion. Education is the best way to encourage contributions.
What is the easiest way to give?
While there are many ways to give, payroll deduction is perhaps the easiest. It allows you to give a little each pay and spread your gift out over the entire year. Most contributors who give by payroll deduction say they don’t even miss it.If your company does not already conduct a United Way campaign at your workplace or offer payroll deduction, ask your employer to start one. We’ll be glad to help.
Can I designate my gift?
Yes. When you give a non-designated gift to Lake Area United Way, you help support 31 local member agencies and 4 community initiatives. Individual donors can, however, designate their gift. You can specify up to two LAUW member agencies ($25 min.), a United Way in another community or a non-United Way 501(c) 3 non-profit agency ($50 min.). By policy, our Board prohibits designated gifts to churches, political organizations and divisive hate groups.
Does Lake Area United Way fund Planned Parenthood?
No.
Does Lake Area United Way continue to fund the Boy Scouts?
Yes. Lake Area United Way funds the Boy Scouts of America, Calumet Council as well as the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana.
Is my gift to United Way tax-deductible?
Yes. Your contribution to Lake Area United Way is tax-deductible to the extent of the law for those taxpayers who itemized their deductions on their Federal Income Tax form. For payroll deduction gifts, your final year-end paycheck and your pledge form will substantiate your total gift for the year. For contributions made by check, your canceled check is your receipt.
Is my United Way payroll deduction gift deducted from my pre-tax or after-tax pay?
It is deducted from after-tax pay.
Q: Why do some programs/services supported by United Way charge a fee?
A: Because people that need help are from various income levels, some programs supported by United Way charge a fee based on a sliding scale that allows clients to pay based on their ability. That fee helps to subsidize services for those who cannot afford to pay.
Q. Why does United Way fund programs within faith-based agencies?
A. Lake Area United Way funds organizations which have demonstrated a capacity to provide critically needed health and human services. Agencies receiving United Way funding must agree to make their program services available to everyone regardless of race, creed, income or religious affiliation.
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