We Believe in Accountability and Transparency.
If your question isn't answered below, please contact us.
Click on any of the questions below to view the answer. If you'd like more information or have a question that was not asked here you can contact us through our online form.
Our Organization
- What is United Way of Elgin?
United Way of Elgin is an active leader of community solutions. Now more than ever, we are dedicated to making support deliver real results. Our approach is to create lasting change for our community -- and prevent problems from happening in the first place. We focus on the long term, actively working to change community conditions and improve lives.
Our Community Vision Council (CVC) guides our overall strategy. The CVC envisions Elgin as a proud community where its residents work together to embrace diversity and develop innovative solutions, which results in: successful children, strong families, and a healthy community. The United Way of Elgin has identified community needs, and we invest in initiatives that work for long-term change in the areas of education, income, and health.
A vast network of volunteers and the simplicity of corporate payroll deduction keep our administrative expenses low -- averaging 13 percent of all funds raised -- compare that to Better Business Bureau guidelines of up to 35 percent.
Above all, we believe that together we can accomplish the kind of positive outcomes that no one can accomplish alone. Our goal is to Live United, and together to create real, lasting change here in the Elgin area by focusing on the building blocks of a healthy community.
- Who runs United Way of Elgin?
We are governed by a local volunteer board of directors. The community volunteers who lead United Way come from all walks of life. A small professional staff supports the volunteer efforts by coordinating activities, producing information and materials, recruiting and training volunteers and planning events. Community Impact Councils identify community issues and review and fund initiatives that actively work to change community conditions and improve lives.
- What is the United Way of America?
It is not the corporate headquarters. It is a national support organization designed to assist local United Ways across the country. It does not set policies or regulate local United Ways, but provides cost-saving services to the local United Ways.
- Why did you change the way you fund agencies?
By bringing everyone around a set of collective issues and priorities, the United Way can better serve the long-term health and welfare of our community. United Way's agency partners are doing great work everyday, and there will always be a need for basic needs and prevention and development programs.
But Community Impact takes that work one step farther. Working together with a broad range of community partners -- neighborhood associations, partner agencies, schools, faith-based groups, energized individuals, local government and more -- we're seeking results that no one can accomplish alone.
Community Impact councils are focusing on real-life issues that make this a better area for us all -- building successful children and youth, strong families, and a healthy community.
- What is the Community Vision Council? What does it do?
The Community Vision Council (CVC) is a diverse group of volunteers comprised of corporate and community leaders. The CVC acts as the United Way of Elgin's policy advisory group, helping to develop the United Way's overall impact strategy. The council has the following responsibilities:
- Help Impact Councils develop, coordinate and oversee United Way of Elgin's impact initiatives
- Develop a community agenda with measurable community-level outcomes that address the root causes of targeted impact areas
- Provide reports on community impact efforts to both the board of directors and the community at large
- Ensure that the full diversity of the community is represented in all decisions made
- Ensure that outcome measurement focus is applied to all funding decisions
- Ensure the integrity and consistency of funding processes across the impact areas
CVC Vision: We envision the Elgin area as a proud community where its residents work together to embrace diversity and develop innovative solutions resulting in healthy and successful families that are the building blocks for safe and vibrant neighborhoods.
Impact Areas
- What is Community Impact?
Community Impact is all about:
- Improving the lives of all people affected by the community's issues -- not just the clients of United Way funded programs.
- Pinpointing the root causes of problems that threaten our community -- and developing strategies and partnerships to change them.
- Influencing all the sections, systems and environments that can improve lives in our community -- not just the health and human services sector.
- Working in a multi-faceted role with whatever partners can play a role in changing community conditions.
- Going beyond the annual campaign philosophy to create long-term, ongoing relationships with diverse community investors.
- How did you chose your community impact areas: Education, Income, and Health?
It started with looking at our community, listening to what people said about critical issues and concerns, and developing priorities -- and cooperative partnerships -- to match. We completed a Community Needs Assessment in partnership with the City of Elgin, to discover the issues that matter most to our community, and to find areas that would create lasting change for our community -- and prevent problems from happening in the first place.
- What are the goals of the Education, Income, and Health Impact Councils?
United Way Community Impact Councils are actively working to build our community's strengths in:
Successful Children & Youth
- More kids are starting school ready to learn and succeed
- More youth are in safe places after school, in the presence of supportive adult role models
- More literacy training for parents and their children -- for enhanced early learning strategies, early care, and education
Strong Families
- More families are self-sufficient, with their basic needs met
- More financial stability for families -- with enhanced job training, more savings, home ownership, and financial literacy
- More adults are functionally literate
A Healthy Community
- More families have access to health and dental care
- More families and individuals are safe from physical and emotional harm within their homes
- More core support for at-risk and senior residents
- More community members with mental health needs have access to counseling services
Contacting United Way of Elgin
- I've got a complaint. Someone I know didn't receive help from a United Way agency.
Get the facts: name, agency, date, etc.; then call United Way. All complaints will be checked out thoroughly and you will be notified of the findings. No one who needs help is deliberately turned down. Many complaints are the result of a misunderstanding or miscommunication.
- If you call the United Way office, will they direct you to an organization that will help with your specific problem?
United Way of Elgin will connect you to the appropriate agency or to other community resources for your specific need. Also, United Way of Elgin is a funding and project partner for Kane County Guide to Community Services, KaneCountyGuide.org, which may be just the tool you are looking for -- an Internet-based "one-stop shopping" site for almost any social, health or human service need in Kane County.
Giving to United Way
- How do I know my money actually goes toward community non-profits
When you give to United Way, you entrust your hard-earned dollars to an organization that takes this trust very seriously. United Way Impact Councils oversee the allocations of funds to all agencies. Impact Councils always target underlying problems and seek initiatives that will create long-lasting change. All initiatives must also have a measurable outcome in order to be considered.
- Why isn't my favorite agency a member of United Way?
Some agencies have chosen not to apply and others follow guidelines from their national organization, which may not allow them to become a United Way of Elgin (UWE) agency. Also, the Community Vision Council has carefully reviewed and selected issues to address in order to create long-term, lasting change within the community. UWE agencies must request funding, and initiatives are accepted based on a review process to be sure they are working toward successful kids, strong families and vibrant neighborhoods.
- Can I specify which agency I give my money to?
United Way of Elgin will honor donor designations to its member agencies and to other United Ways.
- What percentage of donations actually goes to help individuals and how much goes for management and salaries of United Way?
Eighty-two percent of funds raised go back into the community to help create lasting change for our community -- and prevent problems from happening in the first place. Because of outstanding community support and a volunteer board of directors and impact council members, fundraising, management and general expenses are less than 18% of the total operating budget. Compared with the national average of nearly 25%, you will see that United Way is cost-efficient.
- Why should I give when I (or my family) never use agency services?
You are an exception if you or a family member haven't been touched by a United Way of Elgin supported agency. United Way's focus areas of Kids, Families, and Neighborhood mean that agencies and initiatives that United Way of Elgin funds are for everyone. Job loss, loss of a loved one, terminal illness, disabilities, family problems and the problems of growing up and growing old know no boundaries. You never know when you, a family member or a neighbor may need a United Way service.
- Why do some agencies charge a fee?
By charging sliding scale fees, United Way agencies are able to help many more people.
- Does United Way help only the poor?
United Way of Elgin focuses on the needs of the entire community, and works toward long term solutions to community issues. Our approach goes beyond short-term service funding to a long term process of actively working to change community conditions and improve lives. We currently focus on all issues that will lead to successful kids, strong families, and vibrant neighborhoods. So while many of our initiatives and targets better the lives of the poor, all initiatives are working toward the ultimate goal of a strong, healthy community. And everyone benefits from living and working in a healthier, happier community.
- I get pressured to contribute. Do you endorse this?
Absolutely not! Giving to United Way is strictly voluntary. We strongly discourage coercion in our volunteer training and with our companies, and point out that coercion creates more problems than it solves. Your gift does make a difference and we want you to make an informed decision when you give.
- Why should I give to United Way instead of directly to my favorite charities?
With more than 80 years of experience in supporting health and human service needs in the Elgin community, your United Way is uniquely qualified to rally the community around a drive for real, lasting change. We have the resources and infrastructure to focus on the tough issues that demand a collective response, to prevent problems in the first place, and to implement the broad range of strategies. Our long-range view also means we can measure change at the community level -- rather than just at the individual level. Bringing the community together is what the United Way is all about -- live united.
- Why should I raise my level of giving when I'm already stretching my family dollars?
We are all fighting the problems of the cost of living, and it does not get easier. But just think, if we feel the "pinch," what must it be for someone less fortunate who needs help. Government dollars are not growing for "people problems". And also, with the model of United Way focused on long-term community solutions, an investment in the United Way is an investment in the community now more than ever before.
