Valley of the Sun United Way has compiled a list of questions asked most often. If the information you're seeking isn't here, please email us at information@vsuw.org.

 

Q. What is Valley of the Sun United Way?
A. Valley of the Sun United Way is the largest nonprofit funder of health and human services in Maricopa County. Since 1925, we’ve been building caring communities where individuals and families are successful, stable and secure. With 85 years of experience we truly understand the challenges facing our neighborhoods. We partner with business and community leaders, volunteers, donors, nonprofit organizations and others to find innovative solutions to address short-term individual needs and create long-term community results. Valley of the Sun United Way has three focus areas: Ensuring Children and Youth Succeed, Ending Hunger and Homelessness, and Increasing the Financial Stability of Individuals and Families.
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Q. I heard United Way Worldwide set 10-year national goals. What are the specific goals and how will they know if the goals are met?

A.  Like Valley of the Sun United Way, United Way Worldwide's goals also cover the areas of education, income and health. In education, the goal is to cut by half the number of young people who drop out of high school. In income, the goal is to cut by half the number of working families that lack financial stability. In the area of health, the goal is to increase by one-third the percentage of young people and adults who are healthy and avoiding risky behaviors like substance abuse. United Way Worldwide will keep a pulse on the progress of each goal by working closely with local United Ways and national partners.
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Q. Will the national goals affect your local work and funding decisions? Will you be setting similar local goals?
A.  The national goals will not shift the focus of our local work. In fact, we’ve been doing work in the areas of education, income and health for quite some time.  Our immediate goal is to continue to fund human care programs that are proven to achieve results in these three areas. Just as the Valley’s economic, social and philanthropic landscape evolves, so does the work of Valley of the Sun United Way. Along with our partners and volunteers, we continually assess the needs of the community and respond with both long- and short-term plans that are concentrated in the following areas:

  • Ensuring Children and Youth Succeed - Provides children with the skills to enter school ready to succeed, graduate high school and lead productive lives
  • Increasing Financial Stability - Helps families break the cycle of poverty
  • Ending Hunger and Homelessness - Provides food and shelter for families and individuals

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Q. How is your work Ensuring Children and Youth Succeed?
A. Valley of the Sun United Way is ensuring young children enter school ready to learn by:

  • Improving the quality of child care centers through professional development
  • Providing comprehensive support and services to child care providers in high-need areas
  • Providing education and skill building opportunities to parents and caregivers
  • Creating broader awareness and increasing support for early childhood development

Valley of the Sun United Way is preparing youth and teens for life, work and school by:

  • Investing in youth development programs that implement results-driven practices
  • Supporting services to youth with specific challenges
  • Increasing positive student engagement in targeted schools
  • Increasing the availability of youth development programs in targeted communities

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Q. How is your work Increasing Financial Stability?
A. Valley of the Sun United Way is increasing financial stability by:

  • Preparing low-income youth and adults for the workforce
  • Assisting individuals and families in securing and maintaining a bank account with a mainstream financial institution
  • Educating low-income individuals and families about personal finances
  • Increasing awareness and use of public benefits

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Q. How is your work Ending Hunger and Homelessness?
A. Valley of the Sun United Way is working to end hunger by:

  • Offsetting demands for food by leveraging resources to the area food-bank network
  • Increasing outreach efforts to enroll individuals in food assistance programs

Valley of the Sun United Way is working to end homelessness by:

  • Providing permanent housing solutions for the chronically homeless
  • Providing emergency and basic needs services for individuals at risk
  • Increasing access to shelter, housing and services for individuals experiencing homelessness
  • Developing and strengthening broader community support to end homelessness

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Q. I’ve heard a lot of talk about LIVE UNITED. What is it?
A. LIVE UNITED is a call to action, a movement, a way of life. LIVE UNITED is an invitation to become part of the change we want to see in our community. The call to action to LIVE UNITED embodies the notion that it takes everyone in the community working together to create a brighter future. It is knowing that together, UNITED, we can accomplish more than any single group or individual can on their own. And we are inviting our entire community to LIVE UNITED with us. You can LIVE UNITED by accepting our invitation to GIVE, ADVOCATE or VOLUNTEER. It’s much more than an advertising campaign; it’s a credo to live by.
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Q. I understand what you mean by give or volunteer, what do you mean by advocate?
A. To advocate means to champion a cause and Valley of the Sun United Way invites you to become an advocate in our community. We advocate for:

  • Policies that support quality early learning opportunities, provide access to quality childcare, and increase parent involvement opportunities that ensure school readiness.
  • Best practice and research-based policies focused on improving high school graduation rates and college readiness.
  • Policies that help families achieve financial security through financial education and asset-building opportunities.
  • Policies allowing families to easily navigate assistance programs, eliminating barriers and unnecessary bureaucracy.
  • Policies that protect and strengthen the human service safety net for the growing number of families in need of assistance.

Whether you are speaking out to improve education, income and health, sharing information about social issues with friends or family, or wearing the LIVE UNITED shirt to show your support, your active participation in championing United Way can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow.
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Q. Why should I invest in the work of Valley of the Sun United Way?
A. When you choose to LIVE UNITED and invest in the work of Valley of the Sun United Way you can be sure your donation will make a difference. We improve lives by investing your dollars in our work and in the work of health and human service agencies that share our goals. Your investment also makes you a part of a coordinated, community-wide effort that creates lasting community changes right here, where you live and work.  In addition, your contribution is leveraged and combined with others and strategically invested in results-driven programs and initiatives.  Plus, with the ease of payroll deduction, you can improve the quality of life for others without the financial challenge of a one-time donation.
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Q. Is United Way a national or local organization?
A. Valley of the Sun United Way is a local, autonomous nonprofit organization. Like the more than 1,300 United Ways across the country, we are governed by a local volunteer board of directors.  Valley of the Sun United Way pays nominal dues to United Way of America in exchange for important cost-saving services such as staff training, community research information, campaign products, national marketing partnerships and ongoing consultation.
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Q. What does Valley of the Sun United Way do in addition to raising money?
A.  Valley of the Sun United Way plays a unique and vital role in our community. In addition to raising money, Valley of the Sun United Way monitors community needs and critical social issues and develops and invests in best practices for long-term solutions. In addition, VSUW builds relationships and partnerships with the right people, organizations and businesses from all across the community who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done.
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Q. Why are there two United Ways in Maricopa County?
A. Maricopa County does in fact have two United Ways, each with distinct roles, serving the human care needs of local residents. Mesa United Way raises money and helps provide assistance only within the City of Mesa. Valley of the Sun United Way raises money throughout Maricopa County, except for the City of Mesa, and provides services county-wide. Valley of the Sun United Way offers investors a variety of giving options to accommodate individual giving preferences, and honors designations to Mesa United Way, any other United Way or qualified health and human service nonprofit organization.
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Q. What is Valley of the Sun United Way’s overhead costs?
A.  Valley of the Sun United Way incurs costs for fundraising, marketing and common business operations such as accounting, human resources and overall organizational management. As careful stewards of our donors’ contributions, Valley of the Sun United Way operates with the utmost efficiency and effectiveness.  Less than 10 percent is spent on administrative cost and 90% is invested in local programs and initiatives that help struggling individuals, families and children throughout the Valley. 

Compared to the average 18%* administrative costs reported by nonprofits, Valley of the Sun United Way is one of the most efficient nonprofits in the country.

*2003 McKinsey & Company Study as reported by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
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Q. How do I know that my donation will help those who need it most?
A.  Local human care programs that receive United Way funding go through rigorous review and evaluation by Resource Management Committee members.  Each committee is comprised of trained and knowledgeable community volunteers who carefully monitor community needs, meet with local health and human service agencies and review each agency’s program funding request. VSUW staff facilitates the review process and provides research, technical assistance and expertise to ensure volunteers have the resources and support to make informed decisions.
 
Recommendations from the Resource Management Committees are reviewed by Advisory Councils to ensure alignment with VSUW’s objectives. Next, Community Impact Committees look at funding across all of United Way’s strategies to ensure balance and integration of funding. Finally, VSUW’s Board of Directors must approve all funding recommendations. This entire process guarantees your investment is going toward human care programs that are proven to obtain results and improve lives.
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Q. How is Valley of the Sun United Way held accountable?
A. VSUW prides itself on being a trustworthy and accountable organization.  A volunteer committee of financial experts from the community meets year-round to monitor the organization’s financial position.  Collectively, we maintain high standards of operation and are reviewed each year by an independent auditor, who verifies that our financial statements are sound.  In addition to posting our Form 990 on our website for public review, VSUW is an active member of the Better Business Bureau and a past recipient of its Ethics Award, which recognizes businesses for maintaining high ethical standards and accountability in their business practices.
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Q. Many people in our community are worried about foreclosure. Where can people turn to for help or information?
A.  People concerned about foreclosure can contact a free 24-hour Arizona Foreclosure Prevention Hotline to obtain information and get connected with local community resources.  Residents can reach the hotline at 877.448.1211. The hotline is administered by Community Information and Referral, a United Way partner. Callers are transferred to one of the 13 state-approved mortgage counseling services, which can offer advice and services for local residents.  
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Q. Why should I give directly to the work of Valley of the Sun United Way instead of designating my donation directly to a United Way partner agency or other organization?


A.  The complex community issues we all care about can’t be resolved through the independent work of individuals or organizations, but will only come as the result of our coordinated efforts – efforts grounded in a common understanding of the problems we face, and a common vision for solving them. Valley of the Sun United Way has formed a network of partners – other nonprofits, community leaders, communities of faith, businesses – to bring the resources, expertise and passion that will help us create change and achieve our community goals. 
An investment in the work of Valley of the Sun United Way allows you to tackle multiple social issues with one single contribution.
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Q. What criteria must nonprofits meet in order to be eligible for donor designated funds?
A. Nonprofits are subject to a certification process and must meet the following minimum standards:

  • Registered by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit organization
  • Provide health and human care services, or health and human service program(s)
  • Comply with all applicable Arizona state laws and regulations including the maintenance of corporate status as designated by the State of Arizona’s Corporation Commission
  • Comply with applicable Federal laws including the USA Patriot Act and other counter terrorism laws
  • Governed by a local board of community volunteers

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Q. What criteria must VSUW Partners meet to be eligible for funding?


A. VSUW and our Partner Agencies collaborate to create solutions to serve our community’s most pressing social issues. The relationship with our Partner Agencies is unique. It is characterized by cooperative efforts in community problem solving, measurements of progress toward community problem solving, communication, and more. A Partner Agency is responsible for adhering to a number of compliance criteria in order to receive United Way program funding, including:

1. Be a tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation
2. Provide health and human service programs
3. Have active, rotating volunteer leadership that represents diverse elements of the community
4. Demonstrate sound financial and program management and be willing to make full disclosure
5. Provide timely financial and program outcome measurement
6. Annual compliance documentation required to be on file with VSUW, including current USA Patriot Act certification form

The ongoing Resource Management Committee review process of program performance is a primary consideration in making funding decisions. In addition, VSUW continues to work toward strong alignment between programmatic outcomes and our three objective areas: Ending Hunger and Homelessness, Ensuring Children and Youth Succeed, and Increasing the Financial Stability of Individuals and Families. By focusing our investments in these critical areas we believe we can best create the long-term results our community needs and ensure that each dollar is stretched the furthest.
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Q. How are VSUW Partners held accountable ?
A. United Way-funded programs operated by Partner Agencies are reviewed through a volunteer-driven process governed by a number of committees that monitor finances and agency performance.  Valley of the Sun United Way staff facilitate the process as well as provide research, technical assistance and advisory expertise to ensure volunteers have the resources and support to make informed decisions.
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Q. How much influence do I have over how my contribution is invested?
A. Donors are given options for investing in our community. These choices include investing directly in the work of Valley of the Sun United Way, the most proactive way to improve lives by creating lasting change. Donors may also choose to invest in one or more of VSUW’s three focus areas: Ensuring Children and Youth Succeed, Ending Hunger and Homelessness or Increasing the Financial Stability of Individuals and Families/Helping the Working Poor. United Way also honors a donor’s choice to designate to a specific nonprofit agency as long as it meets required criteria.
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Q. Is my United Way contribution tax deductible?
A. Yes, your contribution is tax deductible if you itemize your deductions.  You may also qualify for a state tax credit by designating a portion of your contribution to United Way’s Financial Stability /Helping the Working Poor focus area. Please contact a United Way representative for more information or visit our website at vsuw.org.
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Q. The agency I want to support is not listed. Can I still restrict my contribution to that particular agency?
A. We encourage a contribution to Valley of the Sun United Way because it is the best way to support a diverse range of human care programs to serve our community’s most pressing needs. VSUW develops and invests in best practices to maximize every dollar.  You may still restrict your contribution to any 501(c)(3) health and human service organization as long as the organization meets set criteria. To verify if an agency meets United Way’s criteria, please call the agency certification line at 602.631.4813. All calls will be returned within 48 hours. 
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Q. Last year, I contributed directly to the Helping the Working Poor Fund and qualified for a tax credit. Is that option still available?  What are the benefits of choosing this option?
A.  Valley of the Sun United Way’s Helping the Working Poor fund helps provide job-skills training, affordable childcare, educational opportunities and more to the working poor in our community. These are individuals and families with low wage jobs that just can’t make ends meet. By investing a portion of your United Way contribution in Helping the Working Poor, you help provide the means to increase self-sufficiency, and you could receive an Arizona state tax credit of up to $400.*

In order to take advantage of the Helping the Working Poor state tax credit, you must:

  • Itemize your charitable contributions
  • Direct up to $400* to United Way’s Helping the Working Poor fund
  • Provide your name, home address and phone number on your pledge card in order to receive an acknowledgement for your tax records

For more information about United Way’s Financial Stability/Helping the Working Poor and the State of Arizona tax credit, call 602.631.4800.

*Arizona State Income Tax credits of between $200 and $400 are available based on your income tax filing status. Valley of the Sun United Way is not a tax advisor. As with any financial recommendation, contact a qualified tax professional for expert advice on your specific tax situation.
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Q. Does United Way fund animal organizations?
A. All nonprofits must meet certain criteria to be eligible for United Way funding. One of the fundamental requirements is that the organization provides health and human care services or administers a qualifying health and human care program. Currently, United Way-funded programs at Gabriel’s Angels provide individuals support through animal therapy. Experts believe therapy involving loving animals provides important mental and physical stimulus as well as offers a nurturing environment for people facing crisis.
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Q. Why do you want to know how long I’ve been giving?
A. From time to time, Valley of the Sun United Way takes opportunities to recognize loyal donors. This may come in the form of a letter or simply a phone call thanking you for your commitment to our community. If you do not wish to be contacted, please let us know and we will remove you from the contact list of loyal donors.
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Q. I am already on a tight budget. How can I afford to give?
A. The need is enormous and every contribution helps!  Even a modest contribution per pay period helps improve the lives of many struggling families, individuals and children throughout the Valley.  And by investing in our community through payroll deduction, you can spread your contribution over the coming year—making it more manageable than a one-time contribution.

You may also choose to get involved by volunteering or advocating with United Way. As a volunteer and advocate you can lend your time, muscle and voice to help champion a cause. As a volunteer you can actively get involved with United Way’s School Readiness Kit assembly or Project Connect. As an advocate you can share important information about key social issues with others. To learn more about volunteering with United Way, please contact Eve Bilotas at 602.631.4839, via email at ebilotas@vsuw.org or visit vsuw.org/volunteer for more information.
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Q. What is Generation United?
A. Generation United is a Valley of the Sun United Way affinity group for professionals under 40, in age or spirit, who are seeking to get more involved in the community through volunteerism, advocacy and networking opportunities. As part of Valley of the Sun United Way, Generation United provides unique access to the top nonprofit, business and government leaders in the Greater Phoenix area. You can sign-up online at genunited.org.
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Q. I had a friend, family member or neighbor who reached out to United Way but did not get help.
A. First, on behalf of Valley of the Sun United Way, we apologize for the fact that you did not receive the attention you needed. We would like the opportunity to speak with your friend, family member neighbor, etc. and find out why he/she was not assisted. Although we attempt to help everyone who requests assistance, sometimes we are unable to address their specific situation for a variety of reasons.  Sometimes the service they are seeking is not provided in our community, or they don’t meet the eligibility requirements of the agency providing the program, or, they are requesting assistance outside of the scope of services provided. 

If you or someone you know is in need of help, there are two resources we recommend:

  • Call Community Information and Referral at 602.263.8856 24 hours a day, seven days a week from anywhere, 800.352.3792 within area codes 520 and 928, or, visit Community Information and Referral’s website at cirs.org.
  • You can also visit Valley of the Sun United Way’s Help website at vsuw.org/get-help. This online resource is a companion to the FEELING THE ECONOMIC CRUNCH flyer and provides a gateway to a variety of helpful resources that address mortgage payment and foreclosure, job loss and lay-offs, stress and financial tips.
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