Frequently Asked Questions about the United Way Campaign

What is the GW United Way Campaign?
The 2009 GW United Way Campaign is an opportunity to support the national capital area community by making tax-deductible contributions to local charities through United Way of the National Capital Area (UWNCA). Thousands of dollars raised through the campaign help community-based organizations provide vital human and social services to our neighbors. The campaign will officially begin on November 1, 2009, and runs through the winter holidays. United Way contributions can also be made any time throughout the year
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Why should I support the United Way?
There is no better way to do more to make our community a better place to live and work.  A gift to the United Way is an investment in a powerful network of interconnected programs and services. United Way donors strengthen that system, which helps the entire community. By giving to UWNCA, a single donation can have a far-reaching impact in the community — it can put food on a family’s table, help a single parent get a job, and provide afterschool enrichment for children, just to name a few possibilities.

DID YOU KNOW THAT:
• 1 in 5 children in the Washington, D.C. metro area is at risk of or experiencing hunger.
• Every day, there are more than 11,000 people in the Washington region who are experiencing homeless.
• An estimated 25% of the homeless are children.

How are the donated funds managed?
When you give to the United Way, your donation is a strategic investment in a network of local programs that demonstrate results and impact on our community.  For over 30 years, the United Way of the National Capital Area (UWNCA) has served the Washington, D.C. region by working with donors and volunteers to strengthen this network of social services. Over the last four years, UWNCA has rebuilt the organization to be stronger than ever before, with streamlined operations, a flat 12.5 percent administrative fee and an open, accountable, and outcome-oriented management structure.

How can I contribute?
Using paper pledge or online ePledge forms, donations can be made by check as a one-time gift or through payroll deduction. With payroll deduction, you choose the amount you are able to give from each of your paychecks through the 2010 calendar year. You may contribute to one or more charities registered with United Way, the UWNCA Impact Funds, or to any not-for-profit organization (501c3) of your choice. Checks and payroll deductions are accepted for the paper pledge and online pledge forms. No cash please.

How do I obtain a paper pledge form?
Forms are available in Human Resources at 2033 K Street, Suite 220,  M-F 9am-5pm. You may also request a form be mailed to you at your campus address by calling GW United Way Campaign Headquarters at (202) 994-9600. You should return completed forms to Human Resources at 2033 K Street, Suite 220.

How do I access the online pledge form?

You can access the online pledge form by using the following log-in information:

UserId: GWID #    (Ex. G12345678)
Password:  GWU+Email Prefix   (Ex. GWUjdoe from jdoe@gwu.edu)

If you do not have an email address, then your password would be:
Password:  GWU+First Letter of your First Name+Last Name   (ex. GWUJDoe).

  The online pledge form will stay active until December 11, 2009.

How do I give to a specific charity?
Use the United Way booklet to see if your charity is one of the 900 nonprofit partners registered with UWNCA: those listed have a four-digit code to be used in the donation process. If your charity is NOT listed, contact its main office to verify it is a 501c3 charitable organization and obtain the address where donations should be sent. Once you have this information, you may write-in the name and address of the organization using either paper or the online ePledge method.

What is UWNCA’s Community Impact Fund?
Each year, the Community Impact Fund awards grants to regional nonprofit organizations that have demonstrated their ability to create positive change in the community. Seeking to return as much money to the community as possible, community impact grants allow UWNCA to direct help to where it is needed most and make a bigger impact in the community. You may choose from the following impact areas or regions:

Strengthening and Supporting Families
Promoting Self-Sufficiency
Improving Health and Wellness
Supporting Vulnerable and Aging Populations
Helping Children and Youth Succeed
National Capital Area Community Impact Fund
Alexandria Community Impact Fund
District of Columbia Community Impact Fund
Fairfax/Falls Church Community Impact Fund
Loudoun Community Impact Fund
Montgomery Community Impact Fund
Prince George’s Community Impact Fund
Prince William Community Impact Fund

Why should I give to United Way - why not give directly to an individual non-profit?
There are two key reasons to give to United Way rather than directly to a non-profit.

First, United Way's annual campaign efforts give area non-profits a reliable source of funding. Instead of allocating precious and scarce resources to solicit individual contributions, these organizations can count on United Way to cost-effectively promote and administer a single campaign that raises money for many causes at once. While our non-profit partners may have additional sources of income - such as foundation grants, events, and government assistance - United Way donations provide the crucial funds for their services and programs, and often help to leverage additional funding.

Second, and more importantly, your United Way gift is an investment in a powerful network of interconnected programs and services. No one non-profit organization stands alone. The value of your donation has a "snowball effect," giving it a system-wide impact. For example, say you gave directly to a women's shelter, which uses that money to provide much-needed food and clothing to its patrons.  However, what happens when a resident of the shelter needs a job or a car to get to her job?  When you donate to United Way Community Impact Funds, your contribution also goes to programs that can help her find work, transportation, permanent housing, child care, and more. It takes a system of support to help her get back on her feet. By donating to United Way, you strengthen that system, and by strengthening the system,
you strengthen your entire community.

How does United Way keep costs low?
Over 70,000 volunteers help stretch your contribution, so more dollars go to help more people. In fact, United Way is one of the most cost-effective charitable organizations you can find anywhere, according to national standards.

Can I choose how my donation will be used - to a specific issue or non-profit that I think has the most need?
Yes, you can choose to give to one non-profit - or several - that match your personal interests. You can also maximize the power of your donation by giving to one or more of the nine regional Community Impact Funds and let dedicated volunteers working in your community direct your dollars to programs that will have the greatest impact, or donate to a specific non-profit and a Community Impact Fund - it's up to you.

What if I can't afford to make a donation?
Giving is a personal and voluntary choice. Give as much as you can comfortably afford - even a dollar or two per pay period makes a difference when its combined with other donations pledged during our annual campaign. No matter the amount, your donation is valuable and has a direct, positive impact on the entire United Way system.

What is the minimum pledge I can contribute?
If your pledge is made to the United Way of the National Capital area or to one of our Community Impact funds, there is no minimum. There is a $52 minimum annual pledge for designated gifts, and a $100 minimum annual pledge for write-ins (pledges made to organizations not listed in our booklet).

Is my gift tax deductible?
Yes; in most cases you must have a receipt for your donation to meet IRS requirements. If you donate to United Way via payroll deduction, keep your pay stubs as your receipts. If you make a one-time donation of $250 or more, you'll receive a tax receipt letter from United Way reflecting the amount of your gift.

How is my local United Way connected to United Way of America, and to other United Ways across the country?
As your local United Way, the United Way of the National Capital Area runs an annual campaign that provides funding for local non-profit organizations and community initiatives. The money you donate finances health and human service programs throughout the eight regions comprising the United Way of the National Capital Area. Like the nearly 1,400 local United Ways around the country, we are separately incorporated and governed by a board of regional community leaders and volunteers. The United Way of America, based in Alexandria, VA, is a trade association that offers training opportunities, research information, national advertising, information on best practices, and other support to local United Ways. These services are paid for through annual dues.

I understand that the United Way helps my community - but if I need help, where can I turn?
While the United Way of the National Capital Area does not provide direct assistance, we maintain a free database on our website of more than 845 local non-profit organizations ready to help you. We also welcome your calls for referral at 202-488-2000.  Whether you need health services, adoption resources or care for an elderly relative, there is a program in your area that can provide you the specific help you need.

Who should I contact at GW if I have questions or need assistance pledging a donation?
The Division of Human Resources is the GW United Way Campaign Headquarters and can be contacted Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 am and 5 pm at (202) 994-9600.