Frequently Asked Questions

The following is a compilation of questions frequently asked of campaign volunteers. If you have a question that is not answered below, please contact your Campaign Representative.

1. What is the 2007 United Way Campaign theme?
2. Who is the 2007 General Campaign Chair?
3. Who is helped by the United Way?
4. Why should I give to United Way?
5. Where does my contribution go?
6. Is my contribution used effectively?
7. How can overhead cost be so low?
8. Is my gift really important?
9. I would like to help, but just can't afford it.
10. My spouse gives for both of us.
11. I have given generously in the past. Why should I increase my gift?
12. I pay my own way. I'm not going to use these services, so why should I support them?
13. Why give to United Way when government programs support local agencies?
14. Does United Way condone pressure in giving?
15. If I don't like one of the charities, why should I give during the United Way campaign?

1. What is the 2007 United Way Theme?
The theme of this year's campaign is "There's the old way, and there's the UNITED Way".

It used to be that a meal and a warm bed was enough in response to community needs, but as we all know, we live in a much different world today.

Our goal is long lasting change that prevents problems from happening in the first place. Our experience tells us that the best way to help the most people is to focus on the underlying causes of the most serious problems.

Here in Bucks County, we’re focused on critical issues like helping children and youth succeed, promoting independence and economic self sufficiency, and strengthening and supporting families.

It takes the whole community working together to reach our goals in these areas. So we bring together people from all across the community – people from government, business, faith groups, non-profits, and ordinary citizens.

If it requires fundraising, going to City Hall, or just getting people to work together, that’s what we do.

2. Who is the 2007 General Campaign Chair?

Dale Larson, Publisher, Bucks County Courier Times is chairman.

3. Who is helped by United Way contributions?
One out of three Bucks County residents benefit from the agencies supported by United Way dollars. The community impact fund supports 70 programs at 33 community service agencies that target existing and emerging community needs.

4. Why should I give to United Way?
Your donation to United Way supports over 70 community services and programs that target existing and emerging community needs. Hundreds of vital services are provided to thousands of people in Bucks County every day through United Way programs and services. The numbers are wonderful, but the results are better. Because what really matters is that United Way creates real change.

5. Where does my contribution go?
With every dollar you pledge through your company's payroll deduction system, you get and make change. In return for your contribution to the United Way, you support job training that develop skills; wellness programs that promote safe choices and healthy tomorrows; daycare, after school and camping programs that instill solid values and teach responsibility; and revitalization projects that help residents restore and reclaim their neighborhoods.

6. Is my contribution used effectively?
Dollars raised during the 2006 campaign are being invested in over 70 programs and other services in Bucks County. Each program identifies problems and concerns in our community and then presents its funding needs to the volunteer allocation committee. These volunteers, over 55 strong, represent the corporate, labor and community sectors, then review and make recommendations on each request based upon our community-wide assessment. This careful review process assures that your contribution helps where help is needed most.

United Way's year-round administrative and campaign costs amounted to 14 cents of each dollar raised in 2006. This makes United Way's overhead costs among the lowest in the nation. We spend your dollars as they are intended--to help people. And all of your dollars stay right here in our own community.

7. How can overhead cost be so low?
More than 800 volunteers from across the county assist United Way in helping those in need. They do everything from collecting contributions to deciding where the money will go. In addition, companies encourage their employees to assist United Way staff and volunteers during the campaign as Loaned Executives. This keeps overhead costs low, allowing more health and human service needs to be met.

8. Is my gift really important? Will my contribution be missed if I don't give?
Yes, your gift would be missed. We can't depend on others to meet our community's needs. It takes all of us doing our part. Each contribution - small or large - adds together to become a powerful force for caring. Through large and small agencies, this force provides people assistance with health and human service needs, assistance that would not be possible without United Way support. You might not need these services today, but you make an investment in a safety net that will be there for you and your family if needed sometime in the future.

9. I would like to help, but just can't afford it.
Any amount, even if your gift seems small, will help. Rising costs have made it difficult for all of us to make ends meet. It's just as hard, or even harder, for those who need help from one of the many agencies supported by your United Way contributions. A payroll deduction pledge allows you to make a generous contribution in manageable portions each pay. Join with your fellow employees to help create real change in our community.

10. My spouse gives for both of us.
United Way's giving concept is based on each individual contributing at his or her workplace. It's important that each person give something to do his or her part. This is necessary for United Way to meet our community's needs throughout Bucks County.

11. I have given generously in the past. Why should I increase my gift?
Your generosity is very much appreciated. However, with increasing costs and increasing requests for services, your gift does not go nearly as far as it may have two or three years ago. And many people who may never have sought services before are doing so now. Think more about the current value of your gift in relation to the increased needs of those who have nowhere else to turn.

12. I pay my own way. I'm not going to use these services, so why should I support them?
It's possible that you might never use United Way services, but statistics show that you or a member of your family probably have or will use United Way services at some point in your lives. Many of us use United Way services weekly, such as neighborhood programs at the YMCA, the Boy Scouts, and the Red Cross. Additionally many of us benefit from medical research, including cancer and arthritis research. We want our privately supported safety net, the United Way, to be there for you every day-especially when you need it!

13. Why give to United Way when government programs support local agencies?
While government dollars, in combination with private dollars, are used to fund certain services in our community, government cutbacks continue to seriously reduce the ability of agencies to provide essential levels of service. The agencies in our area need United Way, as well as increased help from its contributors.

14. Does United Way condone pressure in giving?
Absolutely Not! United Way is on record opposing it. United Way is an excellent way to meet community needs, but everyone's gift should be voluntary.

15. If I don't like one of the charities, why should I give during the United Way campaign?
A major advantage of giving to United Way is that it assures that a variety of programs and services will receive funding. Donors empower United Way Community Services volunteers and professional staff to work together to connect their contribution with the greatest need in the community. While you might find an agency you don't like or don't understand, by withholding support, a person is penalizing many other agencies that are providing important services. Remember--the charities you do like chose United Way to help fund them. They would want their supporters to participate in the campaign.