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Campaign Leadership
Our annual Community Campaign is lead by our dedicated volunteer co-chairs and cabinet who meet throughout the year to guide and manage our yearly campaign.
Challenge Grants
The generous support of challenge grant sponsors multiplies the impact of your
investment by matching your contribution up to a specified amount.
Sponsorships
We depend on our generous corporate sponsors for direct donations, challenge grants, event sponsorships and in-kind gifts to offset costs, allowing us to provide additional resources to the community.
Impact Card
The Impact Card is provided to donors who give $150 or more in a single year. The card provides valuable discounts on dining, entertainment and services.
Check the list of Impact Card Vendors.
Days of Caring
Days of Caring is two weeks of volunteer projects that take place throughout Greater Milwaukee. Local nonprofit organizations request help, and United Way mobilizes teams of volunteers from our partner companies to pitch in.
Women's Initiative
The Women's Initiative was founded in 2002 to mobilize a powerful leadership network of women to strengthen our community through a focused investment of talent, compassion and philanthropy.
Emerging Leaders
The Emerging Leader program strives to develop a relationship with a diverse group of individuals under the age of 45 to broaden United Way's base of support.
Loaned Executives
Each year, businesses dedicated to making a difference in our community select valued employees to serve as full-time loaned executives (LEs) who serve as the foundation of United Way’s annual workplace campaign. Others may also become Loaned Executives.
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Star Corporate Donors
Our Star Corporate Donors are highlighted on this page to highlight their combined corporate campaigns that raise millions for the community each year.
Labor Union Participation
Labor unions and the companies they work with throughout our community produced outstanding employee campaigns. Check the listing to see awards, endorsements, and treasury gifts.
United Way Awards
The United Way awards honor exceptional individuals in the areas of volunteerism, service, and loaned executive excellence.
Pledge Forms
If you have questions regarding how to fill out our pledge forms click on the links below for instruction.
ECC / Volunteer Login
This area provides links to materials and special information meant for ECCs and Volunteers to run their corporate campaigns. A password is needed to log into the site.
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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 ripples out into the community as a whole, reaching far beyond the borders of the city.
Whether you live, work or play here, Greater Milwaukee is a part of your community. Your contribution improves lives in Milwaukee County, parts of Waukesha and Ozaukee counties and Germantown.
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What does United Way do with my contribution ?
United Way invests your contributions in the Community Impact Fund or the specific initiatives you selected. If you designated part of your contribution to a Donor Choice agency, United Way forwards it to that organization.
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What is the Community Impact Fund?
Your direct, undesignated gift to United Way becomes a part of the Community Impact Fund, which is the pool of money United Way has available to support all Safety Net programs and Breaking the Cycle of Poverty initiatives. It is directed toward our community’s most critical issues, including poverty, youth development, job training and prevention of teen pregnancy. United Way distributes dollars from the fund to programs that are monitored by volunteers, and staff to ensure results.
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How does United Way select the programs funded through the Community Impact Fund?
United Way continually assesses our community’s most critical needs. Funded programs must align with these community priorities. Through in-depth research, United Way community volunteers and experts determine which agencies’ programs can best address these critical problems. Funds are then distributed to these programs annually based on priority alignment, program effectiveness and agency fiscal responsibility. Volunteers regularly monitor the agencies and programs to ensure that United Way only invests in agencies that manage their money responsibly and programs that produce positive results.
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How is United Way of Greater Milwaukee connected to United Way of America?
United Way of America is a national service organization that provides services and support to nearly 1,300 local, independent United Ways across the country. United Way of Greater Milwaukee has its own 501(c) (3), is independently governed by a local board of directors and pays dues to United Way of America. Money raised in Greater Milwaukee stays in Greater Milwaukee, supporting local programs helping local people.
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Who runs United Way of Greater Milwaukee?
A volunteer board of directors sets local United Way policies and works in partnership with a professional staff administering the day-to-day operations.
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How much of what I give is used for administrative and fundraising expenses?
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 89% of the money raised in the annual Community Campaign in community problem solving – far exceeding the Better Business Bureau’s accepted minimum of 65%. 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.
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Is United Way committed to diversity?
Yes, United Way reflects all the people who live and work in the Greater Milwaukee area. From our volunteers and donors, to our staff and the people we help, we embrace and celebrate the diversity of our community, which makes us stronger as an organization and drives positive change in our community.
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How does a donor qualify to receive United Way’s Impact Card?
The Impact Card is a special benefit that is a year-round thank you for donors who have contributed $150 or more to the Community Impact Fund or its targeted care areas. It offers discounts at entertainment venues, restaurants and local businesses. To receive the card, donors should provide their home address in order for the card to be mailed to them in late December.
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If I stop working for my current employer, what happens to my payroll-deducted pledge?
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 you at home.
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 several billing or credit card options for individuals. 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. |
My spouse gives for both of us, why should I give to United Way?
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.
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Some of our employees and their families are on tight budgets. Should we invite them to be part of the campaign?
Yes, most people appreciate the opportunity to participate. In fact, 50% of donors last year gave $100 or less. Giving through payroll deduction is convenient, and even a small amount each pay period makes a difference.
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Why should I give directly to United Way rather than designate my gift to a specific agency
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You can give to United Way or through United Way to a qualified agency. By giving to United Way you can make the greatest possible difference and help the most people by supporting the Community Impact Fund and its network of services which address our community’s most critical issues. A direct donation to United Way is the most effective and efficient way to make a lasting change.
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May I designate my contribution to any 501(c) nonprofit organization?
No, not all 501(c) (3) non-profit organizations are eligible for designations under the United Way of Greater Milwaukee Donor Choice Policy. A donor may designate to any health and human service agency that meets the following eligibility criteria:
- Any regularly-funded United Way agency (member agency)
- 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 prior to December 31, 2003
- Any United Way organization in the United States
- Any Community Health Charities-funded agencyBack to top
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How does United Way handle designations?
United Way forwards donor designations to qualified, approved agencies. Agencies inclusive of member agencies may use donor designations at their discretion and use is not subject to United Way monitoring of funds or programmatic results. Designations to United Way member agencies are paid out separately from, and in addition to, regular United Way funding.
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The Boy Scouts?
Yes. United Way of Greater Milwaukee funds programs of the local chapter of The Boy Scouts of Milwaukee County. The local chapter has signed United Way of Greater Milwaukee’s Letter of Assurance, which all member agencies must sign. The signed statement means they agree to adhere to United Way policies that ensure anti-discrimination, fiscal accountability and program effectiveness, while helping over 10,000 local youth.
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Does United Way fund abortions?
No, United Way of Greater Milwaukee does not, has not, and will not fund any abortion program or service.
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Can I claim a tax deduction for my United Way contribution?
Yes.
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Is my United Way contribution deducted from my pre-tax or after-tax pay?
It is deducted from your after-tax pay.
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What documentation do I need to claim a tax deduction?
Please see general 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 nothing was 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.
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Can I give a stock gift?
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 by phone 414.263.8144 or email sshefchik@unitedwaymilwaukee.org/.p
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| If you have any other questions, please call (414) 263-8100 or email us at liveunited@unitedwaymilwaukee.org |
