| Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is your relationship with the United Way of America
and how much does it cost?
A. United Ways are independent operations
that set their own policies and
handle their own finances. The United Way of America typically offers
support services like advertising and marketing but not policy direction.
Q. I am concerned that the United Way is not well managed.
What is going on with former President William Aramony at
the United Way of America?
A. United Ways are independent operations
that set their own policies and
handle their own finances. The United Way of America typically offers
support services like advertising and marketing but not for policy direction.
As we understand it William Aramony was convicted and was incarcerated for
eight years for his financial mismanagement at the United Way of America. This
was an issue that was limited to the operations of the United Way of America,
which is completely unrelated to the well-managed United Way of New Canaan.
Q. How much of the United Way of New Canaan funds are actually
distributed in
New Canaan?
A. Of the total funds, 26% are distributed
to New Canaan based agencies, 53%
is distributed to agencies serving New Canaan, and 21% is distributed to
agencies serving the broader community.
Q. How much is your overhead and why is it so high?
A. The most recent audited financial statements
for the year ended June 30, 2001
indicates that supporting services was $161,000 or 22.2% of total revenues.
This amount is considered reasonable for nonprofit organizations of a similar
size and nature.
Q. Why won't you accept a designation of where I want my gift
to go?
A. We encourage your direct support of individual
nonprofit organizations. The
United Way of New Canaan provides an opportunity for one donation to support
many programs based on our proven methods of identifying and responding to
community needs.
Q. Can you give me some examples of needs that were identified
and addressed by the
United Way of New Canaan?
A. The United Way of New Canaan has responded
to identified needs in the
community with the establishment of the Senior Center of New Canaan, the
New Canaan Youth Commission, The Teen Center, Saturdays STARS, the
Touch A Life Fund, and ACCESS New Canaan to name a few.
Q. Will you keep my pledge information confidential?
A. Yes, we only disclose information with
permission of the donor or as required by
law.
Q. Do you support the Boy Scouts?
A. Yes.
Q. Is it true that you made reductions in the distributions
to some agencies last year?
A. Yes. The amount of the distribution to
an agency may increase, decrease or stay the same from one
year to the next. The annual
amount is based on: (1) our
identification of community needs, (2) a rigorous annual evaluation of our
partner agencies, and (3) the success of our annual campaign. The allocation
process includes recommendations made by our trained panels of allocation
volunteers and a review by our board.
Q. How were you able to find funds for new agencies when you
had to cut funds distributed to continuing agencies?
A. Each year we may add or eliminate agencies;
and we may increase, decrease or
maintain the allocation to a continuing agency. These decisions are based on
(1)
our identification of community needs, (2) a rigorous annual evaluation of
our
partner agencies, and (3) the success of our annual campaign. The allocation
process includes recommendations made by our trained panels of allocation
volunteers and a review by our board. |
