Q: What is United Way of San Diego County?
A: For more than 80 years, United Way of San Diego is a non-profit fundraising organization that focuses on bringing together people and resources to assist those in need and improve the quality of life for all San Diegans.
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Q: Is United Way a national or local organization?
A: United Way of San Diego County is a local, autonomous, non-profit organization. Like nearly 1,400 other United Ways across the country, they are governed by a local volunteer board of directors. United Way of San Diego County pays nominal dues to United Way of America in exchange for cost-saving services such as staff training, community research information, campaign products, NFL advertising, and ongoing consultation.
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Q: What is CHAD?
A: In San Diego, Combined Health Agencies Drive is United Way's partner in the annual United Way/ CHAD Campaign. Founded more than 35 years ago, Combined Health Agencies represents chapters of 26 local and national health organizations dedicated to providing community services, public and professional education, and funding to support research.
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Q: What is the United Way/ CHAD Campaign?
A: The United Way/ CHAD Campaign is one of San Diego County's most effective annual community fundraising efforts. Last year, more than 125,000 San Diego County residents—most donating at their work through payroll deduction—gave more than $24 million to their community through the campaign.
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Q: Where will my donation go and what impact will it have?
A: Giving to United Way allows you to join thousands of other generous San Diego County donors in helping solve our community's most critical human care issues. When you donate to United Way you can help families stay together, keep children and youth safe, ensure seniors and people with disabilities remain independent, and assist those with health or emergency needs. Your United Way donation supports a wide network of services that together serve entire families and neighborhoods. United Way turns your good intentions into results by making the greatest difference possible in our communities.
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Q: Why should I give to the United Way/ CHAD Campaign instead of donating my money elsewhere?
A: When you give to the United Way/ CHAD Campaign:
- You can have a greater impact in the community with a donation to United Way because your gift is combined with the contributions of thousands of other donors to address San Diego's most serious problems. United Way also invests in services designed to prevent problems before they start.
- Community volunteers carefully review each United Way-funded agency on an annual basis to ensure agencies adhere to sound fiscal policies and that your contribution is invested in health and human services that do the most good.
- Giving through United Way reduces costly and time-consuming fundraising efforts for the agencies that provide services. This enables them to better spend their time assisting people who need help.
- When you donate to the United Way/ CHAD Campaign, your gift can be spread out over the course of a year through payroll deduction, making it easier for you to support the human care needs of our community.
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Q: Why should I invest in United Way of San Diego County if I don't benefit from any of the services?
A: You might be surprised to learn how many organizations that touch our lives are supported by donations to United Way. The Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA, Red Cross, American Cancer Society and the Girl Scouts are just a few of the United Way agencies that provide services that benefit everyone.
See United Way/ CHAD Agency Codes for UCSD for a list of additional fund recipients.
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Q: Does United Way of San Diego County offer major gift and planned giving programs?
A: For those with the ability and desire to give more, United Way offers the Leadership Giving Society for donations of $1,000 to $9,999 annually, and The Alexis de Tocqueville Society for annual gifts of $10,000 or more. For planned giving, United Way's Endowment Fund sustains your caring beyond your lifetime.
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Q: How much of my gift goes for services versus administrative costs?
A: United Way takes pride in operating with maximum efficiency and effectiveness. United Way works hard to keep the cost of fundraising to a minimum so more donor dollars go for services. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recommends that non-program service expenses not exceed 35% of total expenses. For the 2008-2009 campaign year, United Way's overhead is 18.54 percent. Over the course of United Way's current Five-Year Plan, they will continue to reduce their overhead rate, while still providing the community leadership that San Diegans have come to expect from them.
United Way's expenditures break down as follows:
- 82% - Service to Clients
- 9% - Management & General
- 9% - Fundraising
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Q: Is my United Way donation tax deductible?
A: Your gift is tax-deductible if you itemize on your tax return, subject to IRS restrictions.
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Q: What is the easiest way to give?
A: An annual pledge through a payroll deduction plan is a simple and effortless way to give. You have the convenience of a once-a-year decision for charitable giving—particularly useful if you like to give to a variety of charities. Payroll deduction also allows you the convenience of not having to write a check each month, and with a small, regular payment instead of a larger, lump sum, you can afford to give more. You can make your pledge online or with a paper form from your department coordinator.
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Questions? Contact your department coordinator.
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