United Way answers commonly asked questions and concerns

The Cornell United Way Campaign organizers encourage staff and faculty to seriously consider pledging to this year's campaign. The money, which can be deducted from payroll checks for convenience, helps support almost 100 community programs and services of 41 member agencies and community councils. In addition, employees have the option on their pledge cards to donate money to any other human service agency.

Some people are reluctant to contribute because of various concerns. Here the United Way of Tompkins County (UWTC) and the cabinet of the Cornell United Way Campaign answer common questions and concerns:

Q: Why should I give to United Way when I don't want any of my money going to one of its member agencies?

A: No problem. You can exclude any or as many specific agencies as you wish when you fill out your pledge card (it's called "negative designation"). Likewise, you can designate some or all of your contribution to one or more specific agencies ("positive designation"). You can even designate part or all of your contribution to any health and human service agency -- whether it is a United Way member agency or not.

Q: Why should I give to United Way when it will take some of my donation for administrative costs?

A: The United Way of Tompkins County's administrative costs are, in fact, very low compared with other nonprofits. Because volunteers do much of the work, over 85 percent of the funds raised by the Tompkins County campaign are put to work locally. Plus, member agencies are spared the extraordinary expense of creating fund-raising structures and staffs within their organizations.

Q: None of these agencies helps my family or me, so why should I support them?

A: No family or individual in Tompkins County is totally untouched by the work of United Way member agencies. Many of us benefit directly -- and all indirectly. Our agencies promote self-sufficiency, education, youth development; they support children and families, senior citizens, and health and wellness. Also, many people, at some point in their lives, are unable to help themselves, and they need our helping hand. Even though you or your family may not be clients of a particular agency, you can be sure someone where you work or someone where your children go to school or play is served by an agency, thereby enriching your life, as well.

Q: I live in another county. Shouldn't I just give my charitable contributions in my own county?

A: Your interest in helping people in your home community is appreciated. United Way has an arrangement with United Ways in surrounding counties. If you want your money sent to another area, just indicate your wishes on your pledge card, and the United Way you designate will receive it.

Q: Why are individual contributions presented to United Way as "Cornell's" gift?

A: Well, we are Cornell: faculty, staff and students. We are a community, and we are banding together to help the larger community in need. It is not appropriate that a nonprofit enterprise like Cornell take dollars from student tuition or alumni gifts and contribute them to another nonprofit to distribute. But it is wholly appropriate as a group working at Cornell that we contribute some of our own money in this way.

Q: I'm uncomfortable with my boss being a division deputy and knowing whether I contribute or not. Doesn't this violate my privacy?

A: Your boss shouldn't know about your giving. To have division deputies who are the bosses of units doing solicitations and thank-yous is inappropriate. We need to change the system next year to preserve the confidentiality of giving or not.

Q: Can I contribute to the Boy Scouts of America, Baden-Powell Council?

A: Yes, even though the Baden-Powell Council is not a member organization, you can direct your donation to this agency (or several other agencies) as you wish.

Every gift counts. By giving through payroll deduction, even one or two dollars per pay week can make a positive difference in many peoples' lives. Call United Way of Tompkins County at 272-6286 or e-mail acolt@uwtc.org if you would like additional information.

United Way of Tompkins County is an independent, nonprofit corporation, incorporated and governed by volunteers.