United Way of Tulare County has compiled a list of questions asked most often.
If the information you're seeking isn't here email us at info@unitedwaytc.org.
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What is United Way of Tulare County?
Why should I give to United Way?
What does United Way do in addition to raising money?
What is the business relationship between local United Ways and the United Way of America?
Why does United Way have administrative costs?
How is United Way of Tulare County held accountable?
How do I know that my donation will help those who need it most?
Why should I give to United Way instead of directly to an agency?
How are United Way-funded programs held accountable to United Way donors?
Who is on the United Way of Tulare County Board of Directors?
Is my United Way contribution tax deductible?
The agency or program I want to support is not listed. Can I still restrict my gift to that agency?
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Q.
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What is United Way of Tulare County?
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A.
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United Way of Tulare County is a local nonprofit organization that brings our community
together and focuses resources on the most critical human care needs in the Tulare County. By partnering
with businesses, individuals, government and other nonprofits we’re able to monitor the needs of
our community and respond quickly as issues or opportunities arise. As a convener, collaborator,
funder and leader in addressing health and human service issues, United Way of Tulare County
fulfills a unique role in making our community a better place. And thanks to the generous support
of people throughout Tulare County, we’re helping to improve lives every day.
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Q.
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Why should I give to United Way?
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A.
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When you give to United Way, you help provide solutions to the most critical human care issues
in our community. You become part of a coordinated, community-wide effort that brings about the
changes that matter most where you live and work. United Way of Tulare County maximizes your
gift by combining your contribution with others and strategically investing in results-driven
programs and initiatives. Giving hope to kids, families, seniors and people with disabilities, you help our entire community. Plus, with the ease of payroll deduction,
you can help others and improve the quality of life in our community without the financial challenge
of a one-time donation.
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Q.
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What does United Way do in addition to raising money?
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A.
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Fundraising is just one part of the immense value United Way of Tulare County brings to our
community. By partnering with businesses, government, non-profit organizations, and individuals,
we help improve lives and create sustained change in our community. United Way of Tulare County
also monitors the Tulare County’s changing needs and focuses resources to provide quality solutions.
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What is the business relationship between local United Ways and the United Way of America?
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The local United Way is separately incorporated and accountable only to its own volunteer Board of Directors. The United Way of America is a trade association and not a national headquarters. Independent United Ways take advantage of the efficiencies of scale by purchasing discounted supplies, marketing services and training classes provided by the association. Local United Way affiliation with UWA grants legal use of the United Way name, logo and the national campaign video.
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Why does United Way have administrative costs?
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A.
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In the business of community impact, United Way of Tulare County incurs costs for fundraising,
marketing, year-round support of our fundraising and agency partners, community investment and
common business operations such as accounting, human resources and overall organizational
management. As careful stewards of our donors’ investments in our community,
United Way operates our organization with the utmost efficiency and effectiveness. On average, eighty-five
cents of every dollar is invested in local programs and initiatives that improve lives and deliver
results that matter, making us one of the most efficient nonprofits in the nation.
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How is United Way of Tulare County held accountable?
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A.
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The most valuable asset we have is the trust and confidence of our donors and the community.
United Way of Tulare County has a volunteer committee of financial experts which oversees our
organization. We maintain high standards and are scrutinized each year by an independent auditor,
who ensures that our fundraising procedures remain the most efficient and cost-effective. We strive
to meet the philanthropic goals of our donors and offer a donor satisfaction guarantee.
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How do I know that my donation will help those who need it most?
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More than 150 trained, knowledgeable community volunteers carefully invest United Way
contributions in local programs. This group of dedicated volunteers ranges from community
volunteers to business leaders. They carefully monitor community needs, meet with local health and
human service agencies, review each agency’s requests for program funding and invest your
contribution in programs that do the most good in helping people in need.
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Q.
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Why should I give to United Way instead of directly to an agency?
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A.
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There are several reasons why supporting United Way is the best way to help the most people in our community. These reasons include:
- By investing in United Way of Tulare County, you help provide solutions to the most critical human care needs of our community. You don’t have to choose which need is most important, United Way addresses them all.
- Community volunteers carefully review each United Way-funded program on an annual basis. Their oversight ensures agencies adhere to sound fiscal policies and that your contribution is invested in programs that do the most good.
- Giving through United Way reduces costly and time-consuming fund-raising efforts for the agencies providing programs. This enables them to better spend their time helping people who really need help.
- When you give through your workplace 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.
- When you give to United Way of Tulare County, your gift is invested with the contributions of others to help provide a continuum of care for those most in need. This enables you to partner with us in creating sustained changes in community conditions that improve the lives of individuals throughout the Tulare County.
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How are United Way-funded programs held accountable to United Way donors?
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In order to be eligible for program funding, United Way-funded agencies are held accountable in meeting the following minimum standards:
- Registered by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit organization.
- Provides health and human care services.
- In compliance with all applicable CA State laws and regulations including the maintenance of corporate status as designated by the State of CA.
- Governed by a board of community volunteers.
- Cannot be a religious, fraternal, educational, or political institution, a governmental municipality, or an environmental group. Ineligible organizations would include churches/temples, schools, universities, political parties, fraternal clubs, and agencies run by the State, County or City.
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Who is on the United Way of Tulare County Board of Directors?
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- President Jim Sullins
Director, U.C. Cooperative Extension
- 1st Vice President Mel Heier
Retired
- 2nd Vice President Kim Beck
Vice Chairman, Ruiz Food Products
- Secretary Tim Kuckelman
Regional Manager Logistics, Best Buy Distribution Center
- Treasurer Colby Wells
Public Affairs & Marketing, The Gas Company
- Review & Allocations Chair Sarah Shena
Kings/Tulare Area Agency on Aging
- Past President Jane Kleinkramer
Director of Planning, Land O'Lakes
- Robert Aguilar
CEO/President, International Group, Inc.
- Mike Manderino
Marketing Specialist, Financial Title Company
- Silver Rodriguez
Chief of Police, Porterville Police Department
- Sheli Silva
Administrator II, Tulare County Office of Education - Migrant Education
- Scot Townsend
City Manager, City of Lindsay
- Laura Walheim
Sales Associate, Zeeb Commercial Real Estate
- Anne Marie Wallace
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
- Bob Wilbur
Partner, Rio Blanco Dairy
- Frankie Williams
Career Counselor, Owens Valley Career Development Center
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Is my United Way contribution tax deductible?
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Yes, your contribution is tax deductible if you itemize your deductions.
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The agency or program I want to support is not listed. Can I still restrict my gift to that particular agency?
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Although United Way recommends donors give through us, you may still restrict your gift to any 501(c)(3) health and human service organization
or any health and human service program at any 501 (c) (3) through United Way .
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* Where applicable
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