United Way Contributions

[Shelby5514]

My employer is starting up their United Way Fund Drive and everyone is expected to give their "fair share" based on their hourly wage and deducted from your pay weekly. I know that the United Way stays in the area, and that you can specify what organization gets your donation (ie: local Cancer Society, local Red Cross, local Children and Women's Shelter's etc...) Last year when I said I would rather give to my favorite charity directly, you'd have thought I told them to go to @*%&. So I ended up giving a cash donation instead of "my fair share". (I NEVER write a check. Last time I did the check was written in Sept. and not cashed until Feb.!!!) Now I'm afraid of what they might say this year as I am now in a management position and it is expected of you to contribute your "fair share". I guess what irks me is that I don't know of any other charity that uses an employer to get contributions.

What would you do?

Shelby5514

 

[meeshi]

This frustrates me also. We just went through this last week with DH's employer. How can you say no? I told DH that we'll only give if we're able to designate where our money goes. I know they do a lot of good, but why can't we give our money directly to the other charities? Why a middle man? What % do they give and what goes to them? I honestly don't understand it.

 

[pw2pp]

I don't know how true this is...... but years ago, I heard a co-worker of mine say that The United Way helps to fund Abortions and therefore, she did not choose to give.
Depending on what your stand on this is, and if you check into it and find out this is true, that could be your "out" that could relieve any guilt you may be feeling about not giving.
Like I said, I do NOT know if it is really true or not.

 

[wvjules]

I used to donate to the Uunited Way. I will not give them money anymore. Last year I worked for the cable company and we had a few clients who's bill was mailed directly to them. If I was basic broadcast service I might be able to look past it, but it was digital, movie channels and cable internet. The UW will never see another dime from me!

 

[ilovepcot]

This is outright intimidation by employers! It was shown...no, actually PROVEN here (my area of Florida) that funds were misappropriated by United Way. My husband flatly refuses to contribute to this, but tells his employer he's quite capable of deciding the manner in which he donates to charity. We closely read the list of organizations that receive contributions from UW, and many were ones that we felt weren't entitled to this kind of contribution. Yes, people really should check to see WHERE the money goes....even with this reputible organization.

 

[TimeforMe]

I will not donate to United Way either. I remember reading one time the percentage of $ that actually goes to the recipients once all the red tape is cut and it was a VERY SMALL percentage. Ridiculously small, but I do know that their executives get paid very well.

 

[MikeB63]

I refuse to give to the UW for reasons others have touched on, especially their position on the Boy Scouts and the distribution of funds to organizations which I oppose. We also have a campaign at work for UW, but I refuse to support them. I think your employer is being inconsiderate in trying to force your donation and what they're doing is trying to extort your money.

 

[pw2pp]

Originally posted by MikeB63
I refuse to give to the UW for reasons others have touched on, especially their position on the Boy Scouts

Just curious..... what is their position?

 

[my3kids]

Have any of you actually seved on the local allocation team for an agency? I have. As donors we were asked if we'd like to see the process and I whole heartedly accepted the invitation.

The United way isn't perfect; few things are. Yes, some money covers the fees for the office. The local exectuive here is not what I would would consider well paid, and that is an understatement. UW helps the entire community with donations to agencies that help segments of the local population. Maybe the specific agencies don't serve you, but in some way they do. The free clinic sees the uninsured population for routine things that keeps the patient out of the hospital, thus keeping those who can pay from paying more. The UW helps the library Who can argue with literacy? An educated population is good for the whole community, not just the person.

Don't quit giving without research. Don't take my, or anyone elses' ideas as the exclusive answer. Call your UW. Ask questions. Read their financial statements. Then make a decision.

 

[janette]

UW is a regional organization, there have been problems with some but not all the groups.

One thing they do is the marketing part of collecting funds. Many of the non-profit groups they help are small and don't have the time or expertise at fund-raising.

My company does have a drive but it's very low-key and no pressure at all, I'm not even sure that a manager would know what or if an individual contributes.

 

[GlennandAnn]

I really feel for you. I used to work at a place that received United Way funding. I HATE to be forced to give and to be told what the amount should be. I don't think any employer should make contributing to a charity mandatory.


Ann

 

[Pop Daddy]

United Way bullys employees of companys to give them money, I will not bend under there pressure

 

[pw2pp]

Originally posted by Pop Daddy
United Way bullys employees of companys to give them money, I will not bend under there pressure

Wow, Pop Daddy.....
you must feel very passionate about this subject, that is the longest post I ever saw you make.

 

[clh2]

Originally posted by pw2pp
Wow, Pop Daddy.....
you must feel very passionate about this subject, that is the longest post I ever saw you make.

That was my thought too!

 

[Pop Daddy]

Originally posted by pw2pp
Wow, Pop Daddy.....
you must feel very passionate about this subject, that is the longest post I ever saw you make.

lol, yes, Im gonna rest my typing finger now

 

[pw2pp]

lol, yes, Im gonna rest my typing finger now

ROTFLMAO

 

[poohbear1029]

I just throw my pledge sheet out. Do not be pressured into giving, unless you truly find this is a charity and amount you are comfortable with. I figure, I am an adult, I can research and decide which charities I find suitable for my funds to go to and what amount that should be.

Our co. used to make you fill a sheet out whether you donated or not. I believe they have since stopped that practice...which may have been a UW practice, not sure. If rumor is true, it is not legal for the employer to make you fill out form to say you are not giving.

UW definitely puts the pressure on too. THey have leadership meetings at our co. where they ra-ra all about how we set the example for the others on our giving percentage, etc and should give x-amount.

Again, not saying they dont do good work, but I am an adult an dont need this forced down my throat, I can chose where to send my $$ myself.

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by Pop Daddy
United Way bullys employees of companys to give them money, I will not bend under there pressure

Yes. It has become quite "beside the point" the amount of good they do. They are bullys and I'm tired of it -- we give away alot of money but never to the United Way.

Pop Daddy - would I ever have seen you at Luigi's or Dontino's or Piatto's? - I live in Summit County and hardly ever go in to Cleveland to a restaurant anymore.

 

[Nancy]

I have worked on the UW campaigns at our store. (Running the meetings, etc.) We have donation cards with suggested amounts to give on them (based on salary) Not one person is forced to give any money. They do have to cross out the amount and write "0" in the amount box so that payroll in Rochester gets the correct figures. (Never, ever put pressure on anyone to give any amt of money) UW in Erie County funds over 600 agencies, anyone can see the list and decide for themselves if they want to donate or not. My take on it is, we all know the UW is out there, and we all know what they do, if you want to donate fine, if you don't, that's fine too. I designate my donation to a specific agency and have never been told in over 10 yrs, that I couldn't do that. They have let me know that it lowers my donation money because of the extra red tape involved in going to 1 specific group. I know I would never take the time to write ut a check, so this is how I do it.

They do recommend that the money goes to the Community Care Fund, so they can determine where the money gets used, but I don't like that idea, I want a say in where my money goes. I don't know if they "fund" abortions, but they probably support Planned Parenthood and women's free clinics.

 

[Pop Daddy]

Originally posted by auntpolly


Pop Daddy - would I ever have seen you at Luigi's or Dontino's or Piatto's? - I live in Summit County and hardly ever go in to Cleveland to a restaurant anymore.

Dontino's and Lugigis all the time, are yuo asking or have you seen me