Frequently Asked Questions

What is United Way of Stanly County?
We are a local, independent, nonprofit organization that provides support for crucial health and human services in Stanly County. We are governed by a local volunteer Board of Directors. We are fundamentally different from other nonprofits as donors can give a gift that benefits the entire community, not just one person or one issue.
We pride ourselves on being a proactive community leader. We improve lives by uniting the people, organizations, and resources in our community resulting in a strong, safe and healthy Stanly County.

What is the relationship between United Way of Stanly County and United Way of America?
Each of the 1,240 local United Ways in the U.S. is governed entirely by local volunteers. At United Way of Stanly County money is raised locally and stays in the local community. All decisions, including policy and funding decisions, are made locally by the volunteer board of directors from the Stanly County community.

Like 1,240 local United Ways across the country, United Way of Stanly County is an autonomous organization, separate from any other United Way organization. United Way of America does not conduct any governance or policy-making decisions for local United Ways. We have a local volunteer board of directors who determines our vision, mission, purpose, goals and objectives.

Locally, we rely on United Way of America to provide training for staff and volunteers, use of the United Way logo and community building resources that would otherwise be unavailable. For these services, we pay them a membership fee, much like a trade association.

How are funding decisions made?
Through the United Way of Stanly County allocation process. By making an undesignated gift to United Way, you entrust your contribution to a group of knowledgeable fund distribution volunteers who take their jobs very seriously.

After reviewing funding requests and examining community needs, recommendations are made to our Board of Directors. Upon approval, dollars are distributed as specific grants for programs to agencies.

The partner agencies for the United Way of Stanly County must meet strict standards of accountability in order to be considered for funding.

What if I can't afford to give much?
Every person’s gift makes an impact and together they can add up to a life-changing difference for someone in need. A little bit goes a long way for agencies and helps them focus on providing service. If you wish to give of other resources including your time and talents, you have many options throughout our community. United Way is always looking for qualified members to help us during campaign as well as the allocations process. There are also many local agencies in need of volunteers.

Why not give directly to an agency?
Some individuals do prefer to give directly to a particular agency. In fact, the United Way has a designation policy that is responsive to such donor wishes. A gift to United Way, however, helps support a network of human service programs that address all community needs in a cooperative and collaborative manner. United Way’s combined fundraising efforts allow area agencies to focus more time on their primary purpose: helping people. A gift to the United Way is leveraged to its full potential to address the most pressing needs in our community and to support the most effective solutions to community problems.

Who benefits from my gift?
In a word - EVERYONE. Your neighbors, co-workers, even your own family may have used United Way-funded services. Emergency food, shelter and other programs for the needy are just the beginning. There are countless examples of people touched by United Way that add up to creating a healthy, vibrant, caring environment that serves individuals, businesses and social and civic organizations.

How can I make a difference?
Thanks for asking! A gift to United Way does make a targeted difference, but so does your other contributions of time and talent. There are many opportunities within our community to get involved through volunteering, advocacy and education. To learn more call us at 704-982-6916.