What is United Way of Southeastern Connecticut?
How Does United Way Develop Its Resources?
How are United Way Agencies Accountable to United Way Donors?
Why Should I Give My Money to United Way Instead of Directly to an Agency?
How is United Way Accountable?
Where Does the Money Go?
How Does United Way Know Where to Give the Money?
Why Should I Give to United Way When My Family and I Never Use the Services?
United Way Doesn't Include All Charity Drives. Why are There Others?
If I Need Help Immediately, What Should I Do?
How Can I Volunteer?
What is United Way of America?

What is United Way of Southeastern Connecticut?
It's not the old way. It's the United Way. United Way of Southeastern Connecticut is a local, nonprofit organization governed by local volunteers. We believe there's a better way to solve problems in the community.

United Way addresses the root causes of problems, not only the symptoms of the problem. We support a safety net of programs to meet short-term and immediate needs, and work with the community to resolve the larger causes of the issue, too. All of our efforts are concentrated on four priorities: Community Wellness, Thriving Children, Basic Needs, and Training & Education for Jobs.

Right here in your backyard, United Way is changing the way -- from quick fixes to real, lasting change. Our partner programs track client progress to measure exactly how lives are improved. That's what matters. That's United Way!

How does United Way develop its resources?
Community volunteers are vital to United Way. Volunteers help us raise money for the community by asking employees, businesses and individuals to contribute. Our fund distribution volunteers review funded programs to ensure they are effective and that dollars contributed are well-spent.

How are United Way agencies accountable to United Way donors?
Member agencies are required to meet strict United Way standards, including nonprofit status under IRS subsection 501(c)(3), volunteer governance, and other considerations which may include priority of needs served, stability of the agency's operations, good fiscal management, the need for funding, program outcomes, and duplication of existing services.

How is United Way accountable?
Strict oversight by local volunteers in every aspect of UW helps ensure accountability. United Way's operating budget is audited by an independent accounting firm and is carefully scrutinized by United Way's volunteer Board of Directors and Executive Committee. United Way utilizes volunteers on Allocations, Campaign, Emergency Food & Shelter Program, Finance, Food Center Advisory, Human Service Needs, Labor, Marketing, Nominating, and Strategic Planning committees.

Why should I give my money to United Way instead of directly to an agency?
Your contribution, when combined with the gifts of others, makes a powerful impact in our community. A single gift through United Way will address many challenges in our community and help hundreds of thousands of lives. Imagine that with a single gift you will feed the hungry, shelter victims of domestic violence, provide quality child care and after-school care for children, take care of the elderly, and provide counseling for families.

When you contribute to United Way, your gift is treated with care by our fund distribution volunteers. They spend many hours reviewing programs, making site visits, analyzing budgets and determining the success of a program before making a decision on how much that program is awarded through our allocations process. Partner programs meet strict guidelines and must prove to volunteers exactly how they improve lives.

Where does the money go?
Donated dollars go to partner programs across southeastern Connecticut that meet the following areas of human need provided by partner programs:

• Community Wellness
• Thriving Children & Youth
• Basic Needs
• Training & Education for Jobs

How does United Way know where to give the money?
Every five years United Way conducts a Community Needs Assessment assisting volunteers in making funding decisions; marketing United Way; expanding venture grants to new innovative programs; strengthening outcome measurements; focusing attention on critical community issues; fostering collaboration, and; partnering with other funders to strengthen New London County. In addition each year a perception study is conducted to help us identify what you, members of our community, feel are the most pressing needs in the community.

Why should I give to United Way when my family and I never use agency services?
Chances are you, a family member, friend, co-worker or neighbor have already used the services of a United Way partner program and not realized it. Partner programs serve a diverse and large population - those just looking for advice on child care to those who need food and shelter. United Way is here for everyone.

United Way doesn't include all charity drives.
Why are there others?
There are several reasons. Some national agencies and other local agencies choose not to join. Further, United Way only funds programs which meet health and human service needs, meet our strict guidelines, and address at least one of our four priority areas. Community-wide impact is United Way's goal and we partner with organizations that help make that happen.

If I need help immediately, what should I do?
Call United Way Infoline at 2-1-1, a partner program. 211 is a free, 24-hour information and referral service. Professional caseworkers can provide information on anything from open child care slots to crisis intervention to support groups to heat and utility assistance.

How can I volunteer?

• United Way has an innovative online volunteer matching system called Volunteer Solutions. You may register your profile and find opportunities that match your time availability and interests.
• If your department or team would like to volunteer as a group, consider participating in a Day of Caring project. United Way can help match your group with a project at a local nonprofit agency.
• And if you would like to volunteer with United Way's yearly fund distribution process in the winter/spring season, complete an online form.

What is United Way of America?
United Way of America is an independent, national trade organization that helps nearly 1400 local, independent United Ways across the country. It is not a corporate headquarters and sets no policies for United Way of Southeastern Connecticut.