Frequently Asked Questions

Why give to United Way?

United Way is more than a fund raiser. It is a force for change in the community. No other local organization can leverage business, government and community resources and leaders like United Way. By convening key stakeholders in the community, we can identify the most critical needs to be met, form coalitions that stretch your investment, and fund only those organizations proven to get the job done most efficiently and cost-effectively. United Way turns good intentions into results — by making the greatest difference possible in our communities.

Your gift to United Way touches one out of three people in our community and provides millions of services throughout our local communities. No other local organization can deliver the full range of services that children and families need to make it on their own — from housing and elder care to job training and child care — except United Way.

How do I know that my contribution will be well spent?

United Way is the benchmark for fiscal responsibility and effectiveness. Only United Way rigorously studies, personally inspects and re-qualifies each organization it supports — every year. Our staff and hundreds of volunteer experts evaluate and assist funded agencies to deliver their services effectively and efficiently — by offering technical assistance and training; fiscal management and operations guidance; volunteer and board member recruitment, and much more.

Where does my contribution go?

Through the United Way Community Fund, we combine your gift with others to invest where the needs are the greatest. This allows United Way to respond to crises, emerging needs and to invest in long-term, prevention-based programs aimed at stemming problems before they take root. Within the Community Fund, donor gifts also target gaps in existing human services through our United Way initiatives. For example, our initiativeas focus to mobilize the community to ensure that all young children enter school healthy and ready to achieve and that young people graduate from high school ready to lead a successful life. Currently, a 50-member volunteer Leadership Council for Children and Youth guides our Public Policy department in proactively advocating and lobbying for critical legislation in the areas of child care and after-school care.

Your gift also supports a variety of help lines that puts any caller in need with appropriate resources. United Way also connects thousands of potential volunteers with local nonprofit organizations through Volunteer Resources, our online volunteer database.

How much of my contribution goes to people who really need help?

We take the business of investing and managing your gift very seriously. We attack the bottom line, reducing administrative costs as much as possible. We average roughly 17 percent in administrative and fund raising costs. Our performance exceeds Better Business Bureau guidelines, due to stringent cost controls and to the dedication of thousands of volunteers. Our extremely low overhead ensures that the vast majority of your money goes to people in need. For more specific financial details about United Way of Massachusetts Bay, click here to download our annual report.

Why should I give to United Way rather than to a single agency?

One gift through United Way helps more people in more ways than a gift to a single agency. By donating to the United Way, you support a network of services that together serve entire families and neighborhoods. For instance, a homeless family often needs services beyond finding shelter. By supporting United Way, you support all the services the family needs to make it on their own — such as food, affordable housing, tutoring, mentoring, job training, child care and after-school programs, elder services, etc.

Giving through United Way also reduces costly and time-consuming fundraising efforts for agencies so their time can be on changing lives, not raising funds. Agencies can also become more self-sustaining by using United Way dollars to leverage additional funding from other sources.

When you choose to invest in your community, you may not have the time or resources to research where your charitable dollars would be best spent. When you choose United Way to manage your gift, you are guaranteed experience, accountability and effectiveness. Our management ensures that the charities you support through United Way adhere to sound fiscal policies and provide necessary results-oriented services.

What would happen to an agency if it did not receive United Way funding?

While each agency is unique, a lack of UW funding might cause them to cut resources and programs they would otherwise have intact. The agency might then also have to figure out a substitute way of raising those funds to maintain resources and programs.

What if I already give to other organizations?

There are many organizations that we individually support: our alma maters, churches, schools, environmental organizations or personal charities of choice. At United Way, we respect those commitments and ask you that you consider the rest of the community where needs continue to grow — year in, year out.

Can I specify which United Way agency receives my pledge?

Yes, United Way honors designations made to our local affiliates and partners. On the United Way pledge card, please insert the agency's seven-digit code under the "Restricted Contribution" field. In general, however, we encourage donors to donate directly to United Way because one gift through United Way helps more people in more ways than one gift to a single agency. By donating to the United Way, you support a network of services that together serve entire families and neighborhoods. United Way manages your gift like an investment and identifies where your charitable dollars will be best spent. Our management ensures that the charities you support through United Way adhere to sound fiscal policies and provide necessary results-oriented services.

How does a nonprofit organization become a United Way affiliate agency?

United Way's Board of Directors determines on an annual basis whether to accept applications for affiliation. Becoming a United Way affiliate is a two-year process involving a thorough review of potential candidates by a team of United Way of Massachusetts Bay volunteers, who examine agencies to determine their fit with our current strategies and priorities. United Way currently funds 147 affiliate agencies.

What are the names of the cities and towns that United Way serves?

United Way of Massachusetts Bay serves 64 cities and towns in Eastern Massachusetts. Click here for the complete list.

Will my hometown benefit?

Wherever you live in New England, people in your community are benefiting from United Way-funded agencies. In any of the 80 towns or cities we serve, it could be the Visiting Nurses Association, the YMCA, a domestic violence shelter, a child-care center or after-school program that may be benefiting from your generosity. Click here to see the list of agenciew we are helping in your town or community.

Who sits on the United Way Board of Directors?

United Way is proud to have a diverse and involved Board of Directors leading our organization into the 21st century. Click here for the complete list.

Is giving to the United Way voluntary?

Giving time or money is a personal matter and completely voluntary. Local employers endorse the United Way campaign because it is highly accountable to contributors and is one of the best ways to meet community needs; but everyone’s gift is voluntary.

Does United Way accept in-kind donations such as clothes, furniture, cars or other items?

United Way does not generally use in-kind donations itself, however we can identify local agencies for you to contact where your items will be put to good use. Please remember that donated goods must be in very good condition, and dimensions are needed for furniture donations. For further details about donating or receiving in-kind gifts, please contact Nicole Shiner at United Way via e-mail at nshiner@supportunitedway.org, or via telephone at 617-624-8126

What should I do if I need help from United Way of Massachusetts Bay?

Please call our referral service, First Call For Help, at 1-800-231-4377. Our knowledgeable staff will be able to identify your individual needs right over the telephone and refer you to the right community agency that can help you.