Frequently Asked Questions About United Way
I need financial assistance.
United Way is not equipped to provide direct financial assistance to individuals, but we work with many community partners that do. The best way to find available resources in our area is by calling our 2-1-1 help number. It's similar to 9-1-1, but for access to non-emergency health and human services. Calling 2-1-1 will connect you with a trained resource and referral specialist who will know what services are available in your area.
I need help with medical issues, or other services.
The best way to find available resources in our area is by calling our 2-1-1 help number. It's similar to 9-1-1, but for access to non-emergency health and human services. Calling 2-1-1 will get you a trained resource and referral specialist, who will know what services are available in your area. If you need immediate emergency care, please dial 9-1-1.
I want to volunteer.
Click here to visit our volunteer page for current opportunities.
What does United Way do?
United Way improves lives by advancing opportunities for education, health and financial stability for all.
We bring people and organizations together to create a lasting impact through teamwork. UWSCTN works with a variety of partners: non-profits, local government, faith organizations, educators, healthcare providers, and community leaders are all apart of the cause. We tackle our community’s toughest issues provide solutions that make long-lasting, sustainable change.
What is the United Way of South Central Tennessee’s administrative costs?
Your United Way of South Central Tennessee is an independent organization whose administrative activities and expenditures are reviewed and monitored by area volunteers – a local governing board of directors - to ensure prudent stewardship of locally invested dollars. With the help of thousands of volunteers, the staff of United Way of South Central Tennessee is able to keep administrative costs among the lowest of any local, state or national charitable organization of similar size and scope.
Your local United Way’s administrative percentage is 23.59%, meaning 76.5% of its annual revenue is directly benefitting the local community through programs and services. The average national benchmark in administrative expenses for an organization of similar size and scope, as confirmed by the United Way of South Central Tennessee’s auditing firm, is 23%. Also, 99% of each dollar remains local. Your local United Way has membership dues of one penny of each dollar, or 1% to United Way Worldwide, which allows it to operate under United Way’s name, take advantage of the United Way advertising campaign and materials, and attend trainings and conferences (often at no additional expense to your United Way).
The United Way of South Central Tennessee is able to deliver $13 of value in impact for every one dollar spent on administrative costs. The 1 to 13 return on investment was influenced by the value of programs and services that United Way provides such as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, 2-1-1, FamilyWize Prescription Discount Program, the value of volunteers, and community investment dollars.
Every year, United Way of South Central Tennessee is audited by an independent accounting firm to review its financial practices. The audited financial statements and 990 are posted to the United Way of South Central Tennessee’s website each year in an effort of transparency and communication.
I feel pressured to give at my workplace.
Giving is a personal decision. Whether a person chooses to give to the United Way of South Central Tennessee and how much he or she gives is up to the individual. United Way of South Central Tennessee does not condone or encourage coercive solicitation in any of its fundraising activities.
The spirit of voluntarism is the guiding force behind our fundraising and the basis for giving to United Way of South Central Tennessee. United Way believes in the principles of voluntary giving - which precludes the use of pressure of coercion in soliciting contributions. United Way believes providing information about our work and transparency is always the most powerful way to get people involved in the United Way fundraising campaign.
What is the relationship between United Way of South Central Tennessee and United Way Worldwide?
United Way of South Central Tennessee is an independent organization governed by local community volunteers. To improve the effectiveness of our local efforts, this organization annually pays membership dues (less than one penny of each dollar raised) to United Way Worldwide for national advertising support, staff training, research, fundraising materials and community planning services.
All dollars raised through the United Way of South Central Tennessee will stay local unless designated otherwise.
Does United Way honor non-partner designations?
Effective July 1, 2019, the United Way of South Central Tennessee will honor designations to a specific 501(c)(3) charity or charities. View the full designation policy here.