Harvey County United Way is a locally incorporated, non-profit organization that is the largest non-governmental source of funds for health and human services in our community. This single community-wide campaign is the most organized, efficient, and accountable system for investing in our community.
Your gift doesn’t stop with us. It funds programs and events serving Harvey County residents. Harvey County United Way’s low overhead costs mean more of your dollars go to the people you want to help.
Harvey County United Way is locally incorporated, independent organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. Every board member lives and/or works in Harvey County, coming from all walks of life. What unites them is a passion for making long-term change in the community. They set the policies, procedures, activities, and funding decisions.
To keep overhead low, Harvey County United Way’s daily operations are handled by a small but knowledgeable professional staff which works closely with volunteers at all levels.
Yes! Harvey County is designated as a 501(c)3 organization by the IRS.
Harvey County United Way’s operating budget is audited by an independent accounting firm and is carefully scrutinized by a team of local community volunteers. Volunteers help raise and distribute the money. Harvey County United Way meets all the membership requirements of United Way Worldwide, meaning our independent organization achieves the same industry standards as other (often much-larger) United Way organizations.
No doubt you’ve seen the posts on social media scrutinizing the high salaries to the CEO’s of big charities. By maintaining independent status, the Harvey County United Way is a working board. They keep salary expense low by having a small staff and doing a lot of the work themselves. They volunteer their time so that your dollars are re-invested in the community.
Your donations are directed to real needs. Harvey County United Way volunteers carefully screen and decide which programs to fund based on research of needs in the community, and they monitor their services to ensure your dollars were invested wisely.
Every Harvey County United Way funded partner must meet high standards of quality and efficiency. Experienced community volunteers oversee the dollar allocations to all agencies.
Many agencies do receive governmental support. In fact, Harvey County United Way funding often allows agencies to leverage available government funds to maximize their resources. However, shrinking government dollars mean local funders like Harvey County United Way are more important than ever.
United Way funding is never intended to full-fund an organization or program. Healthy non-profit organizations have a diversified funding base which includes grants, fundraising, and (if possible) program revenue. As the needs of the community continue to increase, so do the financial needs of our agencies. Supplemental fund-raising activities are allowed as long as these activities do not require employee solicitations.
Because the extent of Harvey County United Way agency services is so great, United Way funds provide only a portion of the money agencies need to provide services. Many United Way agencies charge sliding scale fees so they can help more people and some programs have no fees.
You never know when you, a member of your family, or a neighbor may need a United Way service. Job loss, loss of a loved one, illness, disabilities, family problems, mental disorders, and the problems of growing up and growing old know no boundaries. Your gift helps ensure that Harvey County United Way services are available when they’re needed. Remember, an economically stable community with healthy, well educated citizens attracts new business and benefits all of us.
Each and every contribution is important and makes a difference. Only by each person giving can Harvey County United Way help meet the community’s many needs.
No! With a small staff and low overhead, 80% of donations are directly invested back in the community. Harvey County United Way often receives free space in newspapers, and on TV and radio. Corporate sponsors fully-fund the t-shirts at campaign time, books at KidFEST and expenses of the Chili Cook-off.