FAQs
I need assistance. Where can I go?
Dial 2-1-1 from your phone to be connected to the Michigan 2-1-1 Contact Center in your county. They will be able to provide you with resources in your area and let you know if you qualify for any government programs or if there are any nonprofit or faith-based organizations who have funding, programs or assistance available specific to your needs. 2-1-1 operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and Community Resource Specialists are available in 180 different languages.
How can I find the local United Way that services my community?
You can click on the button "Find a United Way" on our website, and then search by county, zip code or United Way name. You can always call us at 517.371.4360 for assistance.
How and where can I donate my gift to United Way?
You can join fellow co-workers by donating a part of your check each payday or by making a one-time gift to United Way. To make your gift, contact your local United Way.
Where does my money go?
Monies are distributed through an allocation process. Volunteers of local United Ways sit on panels that meet with agency leaders in their community to assess where the dollars are most needed. Agencies must meet strict standards of accountability in order to be considered for funding. After visiting agencies, reviewing funding requests, and examining community needs, recommendations are made to the Board of Directors. Upon approval, dollars are distributed.
Why is there a local, state, and national United Way?
Local United Ways are independent, autonomous organizations, owned and operated by local volunteers. Your local United Way determines what community problems it wishes to address with United Way resources. Local United Way dollars stay in local communities to address the most critical needs in that community. The state and national United Ways serve as trade associations and assist local United Ways in a number of ways, including training of staff and volunteers and sharing information about what local United Ways are doing best in their respective communities. Additionally, the state United Way monitors state legislation and advocates on behalf of local United Ways. The national United Way does the same thing at the national level.
How can my agency receive United Way funding?
More and more local United Ways are funding specific programs or services within an agency. This process is expanding the number of agencies that are receiving United Way funds, and allowing local United Ways to more closely target funds to meet specific community needs. Agencies receiving funds from local United Ways meet standards established by that local United Way.
Typically, these standards include:
the organization is overseen by an active volunteer board of directors
the organization is providing local health and/or human services
the organization is a charitable organization and recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit entity
the organization is registered with the State of Michigan as a charitable organization
the organization has an independent audit completed annually that is shared with the United Way
the organization participates in a financial and programmatic revue by United Way volunteers that will indicate how United Way funds will be used, as well as how previous United Way funds have been used
Standards and requirements of funded agencies vary from one local United Way to another. For more information on becoming a funded agency contact your local United Way.