Frequently Asked Questions

Is United Way of Lake County a national or local organization?

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 operates independently, they each have to 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.

Although I live in Lake County, I make a donation to United Way through my workplace, which is located in another county. How can I be sure that my donation benefits my home community of Lake County

If your workplace is located outside of Lake County and your employer runs a United Way fundraising campaign, please note the following:

1)    The ONLY way to ensure your gift benefits your home community is to specify United Way LAKE COUNTY.

2)     Write or type United Way LAKE COUNTY on your pledge form.
3)     If you don't see a place to specify this designation, ask your workplace administrator. Don't be shy!

4)     If you are unsure, you can also make a direct donation online to us by clicking here or by texting UWLC2020 to 44321.

       

What type of impact will my donation make?

To see the enormous impact donor dollars make on the lives of those in need, click here.

Would it be better to give my charitable donation directly to an agency?

A large majority of individuals in need of help require multiple services, as opposed to just one. Our partner agencies rely heavily on the funds we provide. The programs they offer to those in need depend on it. We depend on you. When you invest in United Way of Lake County, your gift helps assure the availability of an entire network of services that no one agency alone can provide. If your focus is on the whole community, tackling new and emerging critical issues and funding programs that solve community-wide problems, then a gift directly to United Way of Lake County is the best way to help the most people. Any gift donated to UWLC is guaranteed to go directly to a funded program here in Lake County. As part of the United Way campaign, you can choose to help by designating a specific 501© (3) Health & Human Services Agency.
 

What does your Candid (formerly Guidestar) Platinum Rating and Your 4-Star Charity Navigator Ratings Mean? (How do I know I can give to you with confidence?)
 

Candid, formally known as Guidestar is the world's largest source of information on non-profit organizations. At United Way of Lake County, we are committed to accountability and transparency and are proud to merit a Platinum rating from Candid. The Platinum rating is the highest level of recognition they sanction. And that's important, because donors have the right to know that we are intentional about measurement and learning in order to maximize the difference we are making in Lake County.

We are also proud of our 4-Star "Give with Confidence" rating from Charity Navigator, the highest level of recognition offered. Charity Navigator is another well-known and respected charity assessment organization that evaluates hundreds of thousands of charitable organizations based in the United States, operating as free 501(c)(3) organizations. Charity Navigator evaluates a nonprofit organization’s financial health including measures of stability, efficiency and sustainability. They also track accountability and transparency policies to ensure the good governance and integrity of the organization.

How are funds allocated?

Community Impact volunteer committees spend hundreds of hours studying funding requests in the areas of basic needs, financial stability, health and education. Our Community Impact volunteer committees carefully assess how effectively and efficiently agencies are using United Way funding. Programs that address high priority needs and demonstrate measurable impact are given a funding preference, while programs that fail to meet high priority needs or provide little impact may not be funded.

Where can I turn to find help for a specific question or problem?

Dial 2-1-1. This help hotline operates 24-hours/7-day a week and serves as an information referral service for our community. When you don’t know where to turn for advice or help, dial 2-1-1. For more information on 2-1-1, click here.

I cannot afford to give, how can I still get engaged and involved with United Way of Lake County?

Volunteers are the backbone of United Way of Lake County. And there are many ways to volunteer and give back. Some of these include joining one of two affinity groups, Women United and Emerging Leaders. Other volunteer opportunities include serving on one of our Community Impact committees to help determine what programs will receive funding from the donations we receive. We also rely on volunteers to help with our annual spring food drive, to stuff campaign envelopes and letters, and to help throughout the year at several of our events.

Where can I learn more about United Way of Lake County?

You can follow us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , You Tube and here on our website at www.uwlc.org