FAQs

What are the benefits of giving to United Way of Greater Milwaukee if I don’t live in Milwaukee?
The benefits of having a safe place for youth, opportunities for students, a lower crime rate and the ability for corporations to attract and retain talent are just a few examples of how a stronger community benefits us all. 

Whether you live, work or play here, metro-Milwaukee is a part of your community. Your contribution improves lives in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha Counties.

United Way invests your contributions in over 160 programs at 80 local agencies, helping hundreds of thousands of people each year. In 2010, United Way has already awarded emergency grants totaling $200,000 to ten partner agencies in addition to and separate from annual funding to help meet the growing demand for services. Your contribution made this extra support possible.

United Way assesses and responds to our community’s most critical needs. Through in-depth research, United Way community volunteers and staff determine which agencies’ programs can best address these critical problems.

Funds are then distributed to these local programs annually based on priority alignment, program effectiveness and agency fiscal responsibility. Volunteers and staff regularly monitor the agencies and programs to ensure that United Way only invests in programs that manage their money responsibly and produce positive results.

In 2004, United Way of Greater Milwaukee launched a critical initiative to break the cycle of poverty in Milwaukee. After six years of strategic investments in programs focused on the underlying causes of cyclical poverty in Milwaukee, United Way has adapted “breaking the cycle of poverty” as part of its core vision. This work is so important that it is no longer an “initiative” which implies that it is a terminal project, but rather part of the strategic vision of United Way.

United Way Worldwide is a global service organization that provides services and support to thousands of local, independent United Ways across the world. United Way of Greater Milwaukee has its own 501(c)(3) certification, is independently governed by a local board of directors and pays dues to United Way Worldwide. Money raised in Greater Milwaukee stays in Greater Milwaukee, supporting local programs and helping local people.

A volunteer board of directors sets local United Way policies and works in partnership with a professional staff administering the day-to-day operations.   

United Way has a track record of efficiency. It has been recognized both locally by the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin and nationally by Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest nonprofit watchdog organization, for its fiscal accountability.

United Way of Greater Milwaukee is one of the most efficient fundraising organizations in the country, with low administrative and fundraising expenses. United Way invests nearly 90% of the money raised in the annual community campaign in community problem solving – far exceeding the national average of 65%, according to Charity Navigator. Thanks to the help of thousands of volunteers each year, United Way of Greater Milwaukee is able to minimize costs, keeping administrative and fundraising expenses low. 

Yes, United Way reflects all the people who live and work in the greater Milwaukee area. From volunteers and donors, to staff and the people we help, United Way embraces and celebrates the diversity of our community. This makes us stronger as an organization and drives positive change in our community.

The Community Impact Coupons are a thank you to donors who have contributed $100 or more directly to United Way or its critical issue areas. The coupons offer discounts at entertainment venues, restaurants and other local businesses. To receive the coupons, donors should provide their home address.

Since your employer will no longer be providing a paycheck from which to deduct your pledged amount, your contributions will end. Your pledge does not automatically get routed to your new place of employment or to your home address. 

If you change jobs or are no longer working, please contact United Way’s Finance Department at 414.263.8145.  At that time, you can decide whether you are able to fulfill your original pledge, or whether you wish to adjust it. United Way offers individuals several options to fulfill your pledge. If you have switched jobs and your current employer runs a United Way campaign, it is possible to set-up payroll deduction through the new employer.

Research with donors indicates that they perceive one of the most significant benefits of personal giving is the feeling of being part of a collective effort to solve problems and make a difference in their community. That sense of community involvement is derived from joining with fellow employees in the United Way effort at the workplace.

Yes, most people appreciate the opportunity to participate. In fact, people with lower incomes sometimes participate more than their higher paid co-workers. Giving through payroll deduction is convenient, and even a small amount each pay period makes a difference. Over fifty percent of donors gave less than $100 last year.

By giving to United Way you can make the greatest possible difference and help the most people by supporting our community’s network of health and human services, which address our community’s most critical issues. United Way oversees the 160-plus programs it invests in to ensure results and efficiency. So, you can be certain your money is well invested.

In addition, a donation to United Way may qualify for matching funds, increasing the investment in our community even more.

No. When you give through United Way to a designated organization, your donation can only be directed to a previously approved agency. Gifts to specific agencies are not monitored by United Way for programmatic results or financial stewardship and require a deduction of administrative fees where applicable. Designations are, however, counted as a part of the United Way campaign.  A donor may designate to any health and human service agency that meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Any regularly-funded United Way of Greater Milwaukee agency
• A specific 501(c)(3) non-affiliated health and human service organization located in the state of Wisconsin that was approved by United Way of Greater Milwaukee by December 31, 2003
• Any United Way organization in the United States
• Any Community Health Charities-funded agency         
• Ineligible agency/designations include organizations that are primarily cultural, recreational, religious, political, occupation-based, animal welfare, schools, grant-making foundations and capital campaigns, as well as designations to organizations to meet previous or personal obligations such as tuition, pledges, dues or other membership costs.

United Way of Greater Milwaukee forwards donor designations to approved agencies. Agencies, including United Way Program Delivery Partners, may use donor designations at their discretion and use is not subject to United Way monitoring of programmatic results or financial  stewardship. Designations to United Way member agencies are paid out separately from and in addition to regular United Way funding.

If you do not wish to have your contact information released to the agencies you designate, just check the “Please do not release my name to agencies” on the United Way pledge form or on eWay.

Yes. United Way of Greater Milwaukee funds programs of the Boy Scouts of America Milwaukee County Council. The local chapter has signed United Way of Greater Milwaukee’s Letter of Assurance, which all member agencies must sign. By signing the statement, it agrees to adhere to United Way policies that ensure anti-discrimination, fiscal accountability and program effectiveness for over 10,000 local youth.

No, United Way of Greater Milwaukee does not, has not and will not fund any abortion program or service.

Yes.

It is deducted from after-tax pay.

Yes, any marketable security traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or over the counter may be contributed to United Way of Greater Milwaukee.  If you wish to make a stock contribution, please contact Susie Shefchik at (414) 263-8144 or sshefchik@unitedwaymilwaukee.org.

Please see answers below. In addition, donors should consult their tax advisors for more specific guidance.

• Payroll Deduction: For contributions through payroll deduction, your final year-end paycheck and your pledge form will substantiate your total United Way contribution for the year.
• Check: For contributions to United Way by check, your cancelled check is your receipt. For contributions of $250 or more, United Way of Greater Milwaukee will automatically provide you with a letter stating that no goods or services were given to you in exchange for your contribution. This letter will be provided to you no later than January 31 of the year following the gift. For contributions of less than $250, United Way of Greater Milwaukee will provide a similar letter at the request of the donor.
• Stock: For contributions of stock, United Way of Greater Milwaukee will automatically provide you with a letter communicating the amount of the charitable deduction and confirming that no goods or services were given to you in exchange for the contribution.