Frequently Asked Questions
| What is the mission of the Town of Palm Beach United Way? We’re a recognized nonprofit leader in building a stronger and vibrant community. Our mission is to help people community-wide improve the quality of their lives. |
| Who is served by the Town of Palm Beach United Way? We presently support 94 health and human service programs administered by 41 member health and human service agencies throughout Palm Beach County. We function as a partner to our member agencies to fill many diverse and increasingly serious needs.
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| What kind of impact do you make in the community? The Town of Palm Beach United Way is a local organization that works toward making a measurable difference in the lives of people affected by problems in the community. We act as a convener who brings together diverse groups and partners such as community agencies, businesses, government, volunteers and investors, to identify the needs of our community and produce smart solutions to meet those needs. By forming these partnerships, we ultimately change lives. |
| How are you related to other United Ways? Our United Way is one of 1,400 community-based United Ways across the country. Each of us is separately incorporated and independently governed by local volunteers. United Ways operate on the premise that local people know best the needs of local communities. United Way Worldwide (UWW) is a national service organization that provides support and helps to maintain national consistency on matters that affect all United Ways. However, UWW neither governs nor sets policy for the Town of Palm Beach United Way or for any other United Way. In return for annual dues, we receive services of real value including professional training, national advertising, best practices, market research, and access to discounted supplies and materials. Our local board of trustees sets policies and goals, exercises fiscal controls, and guides the effective operations of the Town of Palm Beach United Way. |
| Who are your donors? The residents of Palm Beach, South Palm Beach and Manalapan make up 92% of our donations. Another 4% comes from corporate gifts and 4% from employee workplace campaigns. These percentages vary slightly each year. |
| Who decides which program you fund? Distribution of our funds is based on the decision of the Town of Palm Beach United Way’s allocation committee, a trained group of more 75 volunteers knowledgeable about the community’s needs. The Town of Palm Beach United Way’s annual administrative review process ensures that our 45 member agencies are meeting standards of fiscal acuity, and ensures that our agencies are held accountable. Panels of volunteers review each agency’s finances, programs, facilities and long-range plans within the broad framework of community needs. After a thorough analysis, these volunteers recommend how much money each agency program should receive. |
| How do I give to the United Way? You can give right now, online. Or give by credit card. Or donate stock and realize tax advantages. |
| Is my gift tax deductible? Yes. |
| How can I be assured my contribution is helping those in need? You can give with confidence because our United Way is both accountable and administers contributions with a low overhead: Our Board of Directors, oversight committees and the teams that make funding decisions are comprised entirely of community volunteers. Our overhead is among the lowest in charitable giving, ranging from 7-11% in any given year. |
| What’s the difference between giving to United Way vs. another charity? Town of Palm Beach United Way is the most powerful way for you to make a difference in our community. We focus on the entire community, not just a single issue, and we focus on what matters most – bottom-line results. Through our partnerships, we identify the needs of our community. Then we develop comprehensive plans to achieve community impact. We have the experience and expertise to truly be the leader and catalyst for positive change. We explore alternatives and seek new, creative ways to solve community problems. |
| How can I volunteer? Volunteers are the backbone for the Town of Palm Beach United Way, and we are always looking for people who want to help. If you’re interested, please contact us by calling 561-655-1919. |
| How do I access United Way 2-1-1 services? Just call 2-1-1 from your phone for help in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. You can be connected 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to helpful community resources—from job training programs and child care to counseling services and financial assistance. |