What is the United Fund and what do you do?

We’re a local not-for-profit organization, governed by a Board of Directors made up of business and community leaders from throughout the Yadkin County. Staff and volunteers run an annual workplace and residential campaign to raise money and awareness for the vital United Fund programs throughout our community. Yadkin County United Fund offers services to people and organizations that want to help others, supporting local nonprofit organizations that help many people Yadkin County residents. Last  year alone, our partner agencies helped more than 20,000 people living and Yadkin County. Many people were served more than once and at multiple agencies.

How does Yadkin County United Fund raise money?

Yadkin County United Fund runs an annual campaign that includes a workplace campaign, special events, residential mailings and corporate sponsored events raising money for the United Fund. By far the largest portion of the annual campaign is the workplace campaign. There are two components of a workplace campaign: the corporate gift and the employee giving campaign. 

Yadkin County United Fund enjoys positive relationships with area corporations who give generous corporate gifts every year. Many companies base the amount of their gift on the amount pledged by the employees of their company – many match their employee’s gifts by 40 and 50% of the employee’s giving. 

The employee giving campaign provides would-be donors with a private, convenient, and budget friendly manner in which to contribute. While cash and checks are gladly accepted, by far the most popular option is the payroll deduction option. The payroll deduction option provides several benefits to the donor and United Fund. For the price of a soda or a pizza a week you can choose a contribution, which will be automatically taken out of your pay and sent to the United Fund. Most people will not miss one or several dollars a week, and at year’s end your W-2 tax form will reflect your tax-deductible contribution. 

How much are your administrative costs?

Between 11 percent and 13 percent is being spent on fundraising expenses and other administrative costs. It’s an investment well made when you consider that nationally accepted maximum limits for non-profit overhead costs vary from 40 percent to 50 percent. The Philanthropic Advisory Service of the Council of Better Business Bureaus sets the maximum permissible rate for overhead costs at non-profit organizations at 50 percent. The National Charities Information Bureau sets the rate at 40 percent. Our goal is to keep the administrative costs as low as we can. As we increase our local campaign and raise more money in the future, that percentage will be even lower.

Who decides where the money goes?

People like you, right here in Yadkin County. The Yadkin County United Fund Board of Directors, along with volunteers from all walks of life review program applications and make all funding decisions, prioritizing the needs in the community to ensure that your dollars are being spent wisely and efficiently. If you would like to serve as an allocations volunteer, just contact our office.

I’m an active supporter of my community but I don’t want my employees to be coerced or feel obligated to give. Does your United Fund use heavy handed tactics to raise money?

United Fund strongly believes that whether to give, how much to give, and who to give to, are highly personal decisions for each and every individual. United Fund volunteers and staff only want to explain the services that we provide, and let people decide for themselves. When we come to your company, we consider it a privilege and honor to be a guest in your place of business. United Fund provides many options for how and where to direct the money of those who choose to give. 

Successful workplace campaigns are fun events that boost employee morale. They leave donors feeling good about themselves and happy that their company provided them with the opportunity to give something back to the community. 

Simply stated, we want to provide employees with the opportunity to give in a manner which is private, convenient and easy on the budget. Ultimately participation is a choice, one that is appreciated but not expected. 

Why do I see "United Fund agencies" doing their own fundraising?

Technically, your United Fund does not fund “agencies,” it funds programs. YCUF can ensure that donors’ gifts are going directly to important services that help people in specific service areas. Most agencies depend on United Fund dollars as a critical part of their overall budget. United Fund can increase the credibility of agencies, making it easier for them to secure foundation, state and federal grants.

Will the money I give to United Fund go outside the community?

No. The money raised in Yadkin County stays in Yadkin County, unless you the donor request that it be sent to another United Fund; United Way or non-profit agency. Your local United Fund does pay annual dues to support training for staff.

Who sets policy for our local United Fund?

People who live and work in Yadkin County are making all policy decisions for your United Fund. Yadkin County United Fund is governed by its Board of Directors, comprised of local business and community leaders, and assisted by scores of volunteers from Yadkin County. 

All Yadkin County United Fund organizations are separate entities accountable to the volunteers in their community. Everything from human resource policies to funding policies are made from community to community.

How does United Fund pay for its events?

Annual events, Campaign Kickoffs and Celebration, are designed to boost morale and create a synergy among volunteers and donors. Nearly all the costs for these events are paid through ticket prices and generous corporate sponsorships.

Why should I give to United Fund and not directly to an agency of my choice? I want to make sure my money goes where it is needed most.

Designating your United Fund contribution to the specific agency of your choice is a popular option that we are happy to honor. Many people do designate a portion or their entire gift to an agency of their choice. 

That being said, when you give an undesignated gift to United Fund, you are giving to a system of agencies that work closely together to best serve our community’s needs. In many cases, one agency cannot meet a family’s or individual’s total needs by itself. That’s why it’s so important that all agencies receive adequate funding. Scores of local volunteers, drawn from Yadkin County companies and organizations, review the funding requests of local agencies, their programs and budgets, and decide how much money each program should receive, based on community needs and the program’s effectiveness in meeting those needs.

What if I don't work in Yadkin County and I want my gift to benefit the community where I live?

Through United Way’s & United Fund’s Donor Choice program, you have the option of designating your United Way gift back to the community in which you live, so that it will benefit programs there. If you work out of the county, we would love for your to designate your gift HOME…to Yadkin County United Fund.