United Way

[Jennie_in_Iowa]

My company is starting their United Way campaign this month. Anybody have thoughts on this Non-profit? I'm not one to give to large organizations, but I don't want to write them off without at least consulting with my good knowledgeable friends here on Idig.
Do they actually do good work? Or are they as worthless as most of the others?

[HOD]

google for the info. Look at the income/give out. Look at what all they "support".

Then, make your choices based on how you lean.

Hod.

[uprooted_kentuckian]

I used to give to them, but don't anymore. Its really just a personal preference thing. HOD's advice is good. See if they fit what you are looking for.

[boston]

Im not sure about every state(here in Michigan that is the way it is) Since United Way is a national orginization I think you can specify where your money goes to. If there is a local charity you want to support you can say that all of you donations go to them.

[LarryS]

Originally Posted by Jennie_in_Iowa

My company is starting their United Way campaign this month. Anybody have thoughts on this Non-profit? ?

A previous employer almost forced us to give to this charity because they wanted to be seen as a 100% contributor.

I stopped giving to them years ago, because they started supporting groups that I did not believe should have access to charitable funds.

Now, we concentrate on St. Judes. I know where that money goes.

[GeorgeSims]

Most United Way campaigns are locally-run, and support local charities. Check with your United Way volunteer to see if they are charities you support.

[Hairy Moose Knuckles]

I'll tell you what I do. I don't give to big organizations, but if I see a fellow who needs it, then I will give. I'm not talking about the people who hold signs under the bridges either. Some of them may be legit, but some of them are looking for wine money. But, if you see someone who needs help, give them a hand up. Maybe a fellow forum member who is down on his luck. Everyone needs help now and again. Some of those big organizations waste too much money in my opinion. I'm sure there are good ones too. There is good and bad in almost everything.

[LarryS]

Originally Posted by Hairy Moose Knuckles

Some of those big organizations waste too much money in my opinion.

This has proven to be true in lots of cases, but I dont know about how much money United Way actually distributes. Some of these organizations sop up large amounts of the cash for their own salaries, etc.

Here in Texas there have been scamlike appeals for donations to organizations purporting to support police officers and their families.
In some of those cases, the "organization" sopped up in the order of
90% of the money and gave a few percent in order to keep technically legal.

One would hope his money would be better used than that.

[Lavandula Girl]

Had to dig around in my things... here's a Forbes Magazine rating of charities from 2004 that I knew I'd read... the efficiency shouldn't have changed more than a few 10ths of a percent in just 3 years. You can sort by options, like name, effeciency, commitment, etc. Hope it helps!
http://www.forbes.com/2004/11/23/04charityland.html

[tashak]

Check their yearly report and check them out on a charity monitor and also see if they have included any charitable groups that you want to support, and see if your area's UW will let you dedicate your donation to these chosen groups.
Basic rule of thumb is that at least 85% of money taken in should go to charitable purposes, not to executive salaries, advertising, fundraising, etc.
Also--be wary if they are offering "prizes" to the department or group who gives the most. Are these "prizes" paid for by donations to the UW?
I'm a little sour on them due to experience in San Francisco at work where there definitely was a UW documented scandal some years ago. Hopefully they have improved since then.