The United Way of Greater Oswego County has compiled a "Commonly Asked Questions" sheet to help answer questions about the United Way that are often asked by donors and other community members. This information is important in helping to inform the community about their local United Way.

The United Way of Greater Oswego County is working on the 2007/2008 campaign with an aggressive goal in support of numerous community programs and services for 24 member agencies. In all, the local United Way member agencies provide 38 community programs, which are funded by United Way donors.

Your interest in helping people in our community is appreciated. United Way has an arrangement with

United Ways in surrounding counties. If you want your money sent to another area, just indicate your

wishes on your pledge card and the United Way, or a specific agency you designate to, will receive it.

Our hope as well, is that individuals will consider sharing their gift with the community in which they

work to help support the health and the well being of the community in which they earn their living.

I live in Oswego County. How can I donate to the United Way of Greater Oswego County

in the community in which I work? 

If your company runs a United Way campaign, on the pledge card fill in the designation portion

indicating your gift preference. If designations are not offered on the pledge card, please request a

designation form from your campaign coordinator. You may also send a gift directly to the United Way

of Greater Oswego County at One South First Street, Fulton, NY 13069.

Why should I give to the United Way when they use part of my donation for administrative costs? 

All non-profits have administrative costs. We make every effort to send as much of every dollar

contributed to agencies so they can provide valuable health and human services to Oswego County. Our

overhead is 17% meaning more than 83 cents of every dollar goes directly to agency programs. The cost

of uncollectible pledges is estimated to be 10% and administration approximately 7%. This is well

below the level of 25% overhead permitted by the Internal Revenue Service.

Each year United Way works to further lower its costs. United Way of Greater Oswego County has a

system of checks and balances to safeguard campaign dollars which include a volunteer finance

committee, human resource committee, and board of directors, to name a few. These groups of

individuals meet periodically to review and monitor every aspect of United Way operations.

Additionally, UWGOC contracts with a local accounting firm to provide an independent audit every year.

What are the administrative costs of your member agencies? 

The member agencies administrative costs vary. All agencies. Form 990 includes their administrative

costs as calculated by their auditor. All United Way agency costs are well under the federal and state

requirements of 25% for management and fundraising. Agencies are continuously working on lowering

their administrative costs by carefully evaluating program costs vs. administration.

United Way does not fund administrative costs of its agencies. The United Way supports member

agencies with an emphasis on programs. All donations are directed to the 38 programs of the agencies

requesting support.

I pledged my donation to a specific agency last year, and I never received a confirmation letter.

 Does that mean the agency didn't get it? 

No. United Way tracks all donor designations to ensure that your dollars reach the agency of your

choice. You need to check a box on your pledge card requesting that your gift be confirmed by the 

member agency. When the box is checked, it gives United Way permission to send the donor your name

and address for a personal confirmation. If you did check the box, and did not hear from the agency,

please contact the United Way so that we may check into this. 

I work for a living and pay my own way. None of these agencies help my family or me so why should I support them?

No family or individual in Oswego County is totally untouched by the work of United Way member

agencies. Many of us benefit directly, and all indirectly. There are many people who, at some point in

their lives, are unable to help themselves. They need our helping hand.

What does United Way do besides raise money? 

United Way works closely with the community to identify health and human service needs in Oswego

County in order to develop plans to address them. United Way also assists non-profit agencies in

recruiting and training volunteers and provides volunteer resources in the area of management and

technical assistance, training and board leadership. In addition, UWGOC advocates for supportive

health and human service policies, and helps to create collaborative partnerships to improve the

community.s capacity and efficiency in solving problems. United Way is also the Fiscal Agent for

National Emergency Food and Shelter Funds (FEMA) in which 6 agencies who respond to the

emergency needs of Oswego County resident's benefit. As you can see, United Way is an agency too,

and we benefit from our community's support as well.

Why should I give through the United Way when I can send money directly to an agency? 

Contributors tell us that payroll deduction is the easiest and simplest way to make a meaningful gift to

the community. Instead of having to pay your pledge with a single payment, you can make a more

generous pledge by spreading the payments over the entire year.

United Way Dollars often provide required match for government and foundation support. This results

in bringing hundreds of thousands of additional revenue to agencies for programs, which benefit local citizens.

Who decides where the money goes? 

More than 35 knowledgeable volunteers spend many hours each year deciding how your gift will be

used to meet Oswego County.s most critical needs. These volunteers, all of whom are actively

concerned with the quality of life here, represent a cross-section of the community. This citizen review

process is United Way.s assurance that contributions are being responsibly managed and monitored.

Is my United Way contribution tax deductible?

Yes, if you itemize your deductions on your annual tax forms. The United Way will provide a receipt

required by the IRS for any donation. Keep the donor copy of the triplicate pledge form for your records.

Can I donate stock and other securities to the United Way? 

Yes. The United Way of Greater Oswego County welcomes your gifts of stock and securities. This is

an excellent resource in supporting critical community services and the donor can often derive tax

benefits by making gifts of stocks and other securities.

How can I contribute to give to the United Way after I retire?

Many contributors continue to support United Way after they retire. Call us at (315) 593-1900 to

arrange a direct-bill, quarterly, payment plan or fill in the retiree box on the triplicate pledge form.

Do people ever include a gift to the United Way in their will? 

This is a wonderful area of opportunity for the United Way of Greater Oswego County, as many

charities nationwide, are benefactors of this type of giving. Contributors who have supported

community services through United Way often give a gift in their will, as they want to sustain their

continuum of giving and caring.

What is the United Way's policy on firms coercing employees to contribute? 

The United Way has a written policy against coercion. It states that giving is strictly a personal

decision; when an organization or individual pressures anyone that defeats the very idea of voluntary

giving. Giving should come from the heart.

Several United Way member agencies are in the process of making building improvements.

I don't think United Way funds should pay for this.

United Way funds are not used for brick and mortal, but are targeted for program operations. If any

agency needs improvements for its facility, a capital campaign drive is developed separately from United Way.

How can the United Way afford all that expensive advertising, locally and nationally (such as the NFL)? 

The NFL provides national spots at no cost to United Way. Radio, television and newspapers are great

supporters of United Way and are currently providing free time and space to assist us in our fund raising

efforts and to help inform the community about the work of the United Way in Oswego County.