Frequently Asked Questions

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It is an organization operated by a volunteer group of local citizens whose purpose is to promote voluntarism, eliminate the effort and cost of many separate charitable fundraising campaigns, and make sure that the money collected is used in the most efficient and effective manner possible. United Way’s focus is on making a lasting impact on the lives of those in our communities.

It's the easiest way to help a lot of people, young and old. When you give through the United Way, you are serving people in this area. Your gift is allocated by citizen volunteers, who give the time and do the research to make the best decisions.

Any non-profit agency may become a member, if it has a worthwhile program that meets an
identified critical need in our area. All agencies must adhere by the guidelines set by the Internal Revenue Service and the South Carolina Secretary of State. In addition, each agency agrees to present its finances, budget, audit and program to the United Way's volunteers for annual review. Being a “member agency” does not guarantee funding. Programs are reviewed annually and allocations are made based on community needs and the agency’s ability to prove positive results.

When we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. While you may not have school-age children, we all win when a child succeeds in school, when at-risk families become self-sufficient and when all our neighbors have good health.

A committee of volunteers representing the contributors, studies the member agencies and after hours of work, recommends how much each agency will receive. Each year, the Committee thoroughly reviews every agency's finances, program, facilities and long-range planning within the broad framework of community needs. Only the United Way guarantees absolute local control of services and allocates strictly on the basis of proven local needs and results.

The atmosphere of any community is directly influenced by the health, happiness and well-being of every person in it. Broken homes, delinquency, neglect of the needy and substance abuse, impact our community. United Way services are community services. They are for everybody--illness, family problems, mental disorders know no economic boundaries. You or members of your family may not need United Way services now, but you may in the future. It is comforting to know that if ever you should need or want those services, they will be available. In the meantime, a gift to the United Way is a clear expression of concern for the strengthening of our region.

Yes. Consult IRS regulations or a tax consultant.

Your pledge to United Way is made in good faith and is based on your earnings. Should you stop working, you are completely and immediately released from your pledge for that period.

Yes. While the United Way believes that every participating agency is worthy of support through a single contribution, designated amounts will be honored. Write the designated amount and the preferred agency on the pledge form and the gift will be acknowledged.

Is this really true? The reality is "can we afford not to give?" The needs of people are not going to disappear, nor can they be ignored. Think about giving up one soft drink per week, or one movie a month. Those small amounts can add up over the course of a year and really make a difference in someone's life.

The United Way does not ask families to give, but asks that employees contribute according to salary. If both husband and wife are able to work, they are two employees and each should consider contributing within the family means. Your fellow employees are striving for campaign success based on each separate income ... including yours.

Even at the height of government involvement in providing direct services, programs were designed very largely to provide people with funds for three basic needs -- food, clothing and shelter. These benefits were never meant or designed to meet all needs. United Way services go to people at all levels. People who can afford to pay all or part of the cost of service do so, those who cannot, don't. United Way dollars pay for services to help those who work for a living and those who cannot -- in hundreds of ways. United Way plays a vital role that tax dollars cannot.

Sadly this may be true. Often the demand for services far outweighs available resources. Or, perhaps the person you know was eligible for assistance that comes from a tax-supported program rather than from a United Way supported program. Sometimes a person wrongly assumes that a service an agency provides is part of United Way when it really isn't. No United Way agency will ever turn down a legitimate request for its services under any circumstances if funding is available. NEVER! Are you also aware of the hundreds of examples each day where people are helped?

That's wonderful! Most of us have an obligation to our faith, but obligations should not stop there. We also have to think of the community where we live and work. It is a responsibility to our neighbors, no matter what their faith. And remember there are numerous services provided by United Way agencies not available through religious organizations?

We are a separate, local organization governed by a local, volunteer Board of Directors. United Way Worldwide is a service association to which local United Ways may belong. United Way of Sumter, Clarendon and Lee pays less than a penny from each dollar raised through campaigns as service fees for data, campaign analysis, research, national account development, advertising, human resources assistance, staff and volunteer training and campaign materials.