Frequently Asked Questions

You've got questions, we've got answers.  If you have a question about United Way, feel free to contact us.  Here are some of the frequent questions we get asked and the answers you need to know. 

Our administration rate is 18%, well below the industry average of 36.9%.  According to “The Overhead Myth” co-published by GuideStar, Charity Navigator and BBB Wise Giving Alliance (America’s three leading sources of information about charities), “Overhead costs include important investments charities make to improve their work: investments in training, planning, evaluation, and internal systems— as well as their efforts to raise money so they can operate their programs. These expenses allow a charity to sustain itself (the way a family has to pay the electric bill) or to improve itself (the way a family might invest in college tuition)...When we focus solely or predominantly on overhead…We starve charities of the freedom they need to best serve the people and communities they are trying to serve…The people and communities served by charities don’t need low overhead, they need high performance.” Our 990 and Audit are on our website for you to review at any time.

The United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties is committed to reducing the administration/overhead rate by focusing on an endowed fund that will pay for the overhead expenses of the United Way in perpetuity called EDGE. (Every Dollar Gets Empowered)

We pay State and National dues totaling 1.5%, which is included in the 18% admin/overhead rate.  Our national dues cover things like the positive association with our 100+ year brand, robust trainings for our staff and volunteers, marketing collateral and much more, including international disaster funding such as recently received from United Way Worldwide for COVID-19. Additionally, UWVFC supports various community initiatives with time, talent, and further funding.

Through the generosity of individual and corporate donors, we are able to directly allocate $1.1 million back in to the community and support 22 programs at 16 local non-profit agencies.

Yes! Every dollar you donate to United Way has a return on invest of $3.92. That means your $1 a week, or $52 per year, becomes $208 in impact. For example, one dollar a week can provide internship and career exploration opportunities for one high school student for one year. When we say every dollar counts, we mean it!

We serve only two counties: Volusia and Flagler.   We are one of 1100 United Ways in the country but operate similar to a franchise. While we receive services from our National office, we are community supported and operated by a local volunteer board of directors.

To better serve the local community and invest in long-term, measurable change, the United Way transitioned to the Community Impact model in 2017. Under the Community Impact Model, United Way funds 21 programs at 16 non-profit agencies in Volusia and Flagler Counties. Community Impact Funding is based upon a two-year grant cycle. Volunteer subject matter experts in our three focus areas—Education, Financial Stability and Health—review grant requests, make recommendations on funding and monitor programs and results from those programs. Staff don’t make decisions on grant funding; volunteers do. The community impact model holds funded partners accountable for the outcomes and whether they are using the grant funding efficiently and effectively. Just as donors expect United Way to be good stewards of our resources, we, in turn, expect our funded partners to demonstrate the same.

In the wake of disasters, the outpouring and compassion for those in need is always remarkable. Whether it’s giving money, time, or items, people want to know how they can help. Your United Way works with local, state and federal government entities, as well as non-profits to assess the highest needs in the community. If needed, like with COVID-19, your United Way will establish a disaster response fund to assist local non-profits meet the increased demand on their services.  Oftentimes, the highest need is information and referral services through our 211 call center, which frequently requires additional manpower to process the incoming requests.

Every hour of every day, someone needs essential services; from finding an after-school program to securing adequate care for an aging parent. 211 is an online database of non-emergency resources from over 1,000 local community services and is available 24 hours a day.  You can call 2-1-1 or go online: 211live.org.

Working with more than 100 local nonprofit organizations, United Way's Volunteer Center can help you or your group find a volunteer opportunity that's right for you, whether you have an hour, a day, a week or a lifetime to serve. Volunteers are one of our communities’ most valuable resources and we can connect you to virtual or in-person projects about which you are passionate.

The rapid spread of the COVID-19 exposed critical shortcomings in our economy and in our systems of health care and education across our Nation.  In an effort to help close the gap for those in need in our communities, your United Way created a Covid-19 Relief Fund and to date has raised over $180,000. We have been able to provide funding to 22 non-profit agencies in the Volusia-Flagler area that have a focus on providing food assistance, childcare assistance, help paying for utilities and rent or mortgage, mental health services and case management needs.