| Q. Is United Way of
Lake County a national or a local organization?
A. United Way of Lake
County is a local, independent non-profit organization.
This is the beauty of United Way... neighbors helping
neighbors at the local level. Although each of the more
than 1,300 United Ways throughout our country operate
independently, they each pay a small membership fee to
United Way of America. In exchange, United Way of
America ensures fiscal responsibility and consistent
quality standards for all member organizations.
Q. How much of my
contribution stays in Lake County?
A. Only less than
one-half cent of each dollar donated goes to United Way
of America for membership fees. The rest of your gift,
99.4%, stays right here in Lake County (or in the
community you designate).
Q. How much of my
contribution really helps people in need?
A. Approximately
85% of the dollars collected by United Way of Lake
County are used to fund programs in our community. At
the agencies, your dollars cannot be used for program
overhead. In other words, your donation must be
used by the agencies for direct program services to our
neighbors in need.
Q. Are there any
groups that United Way of Lake County does not help?
A. Any 501(c)3
Q. Would it be better
to give my charitable donation directly to an agency?
A. As part of the
United Way campaign, you can choose to help in a
specific way by designating a specific 501(c)3 Health
and Human Services Agency. If your focus is on the whole
community, tackling new and emerging needs and funding
programs that solve community-wide problems, then a gift
directly to United Way is more appropriate. We all
benefit when critical community issues are addressed as
a whole.
Q. Who makes the
decisions about which programs are funded by my
contributions?
A. Solution
Panels, comprised of community volunteers, meet monthly
to study the on-going and critical emerging needs in
Lake County. The Solution Panels produce a road map of
funding priorities. In the Spring, community volunteers
study the specific funding requests from each existing
and new program. On your behalf, specific program
funding decisions are made by these volunteers. You too
can volunteer to be part of this process.
Q. How does
United Way of Lake County protect against fiscal
irregularities?
A. As required by
the Sarbanes-Oxley Laws, our United Way is required to
undergo an independent fiscal audit annually. In
addition, the United Way of America imposes additional
strict guidelines for 1,300 member United Ways across
the country.
Q. How many Lake
County agencies and programs are funded with my
donation?
A. In Lake County
alone, you help fund 67 programs (see Funded Programs)
which are managed by 40 agencies.
Q. What is the number
of people that received help in Lake County in 2006?
A. In 2006, your
gift changed the lives of over 87,500 people in Lake
County (approximately 1 in 3 people).
Q. Where can someone
turn to find help for a specific question or problem?
A. Dial 2-1-1.
This health and human services telephone helpline is a
24 hour, 7 day per week information and referral service
for our community. This service is for everyone. People
call for food assistance, teen issues, parental aging
problems or any life issue. When you don't know where to
turn for advise or help,
dial 2-1-1.
Q. Which companies
have the largest employee campaigns in Lake County?
A. The largest
campaign in Lake County is achieved by the employees of
Avery Dennison Corporation. The next largest employee
campaigns are at Eaton Corporation, FirstEnergy Perry.
The Lubrizol Corporation and STERIS Corporation. |
