Frequently Asked Questions

United Way of the Inland Valleys is Western Riverside County’s largest fundraiser, working to measurably improve the quality of life for all residents of our service area. United Way raises and distributes funds to local agencies that effectively address critical health and human issues. United Way has been serving people in our region since 1931. Each United Way is independent from United Way of America and other United Ways.

Research and identify local human issues. United Way led an unprecedented collaboration with local businesses, government agencies, universities and charitable organizations to discover the gaps that exist in the availability of health and human services. They develop and deploy human and financial resources to support the delivery of vital health and human services to Western Riverside County residents. Last year, United Way raised more than $4 million to help meet the needs in our community.

Donations made to United Way of the Inland Valleys’ Community Care Fund support a wide range of services provided to residents in Western Riverside County. For the 2006-2007 program year, a total of 287,056 people directly benefited from United Way funded programs, representing one out of three residents in our service area.

• AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE

• BASIC SUBSISTENCE & ECONOMIC STABILITY

• CHILD/YOUTH-AT-RISK

• COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION & DEVELOPMENT

• DEVELOPMENTAL & PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

• DISASTER

• DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, CHILD ABUSE & CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE

• ELDER CARE & ELDER ABUSE

• FAMILY STABILITY & PARENTING SKILLS

• HEALTHCARE & SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

• ILLITERACY

• LEGAL & CIVIL RIGHTS

• MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION & TREATMENT

• OUTREACH/INFORMATION & REFERRAL

• SUBSTANCE ABUSE

• YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

United Way works with Western Riverside County businesses, schools, local city, state and federal government agencies and health and human service agencies.

Federal, state and local governments have made extreme cuts in funding to non-profit agencies. Many agencies have faced reductions or elimination of much needed funds. It is up to caring, forward-thinking people to maintain the services that support the health and well being of Western Riverside County’s residents.

Donations to United Way are more effective than to a single service agency because United Way funds a more comprehensive network of services than any one agency can offer. Trained volunteer review teams will carefully invest funds in the health and human service programs that most effectively address the greatest needs in Western Riverside County. All donor information is handled with respect, confidentiality, and if desired, anonymity and we never sell, rent or trade our list of donors.

United Way has a written policy against coercion. Donations should be given willingly and voluntarily. We are confident that when people see where their money is invested, they will want to contribute.

Some do and some don’t. The agencies are not 100% funded by United Way, so some find it necessary to charge fees to cover some costs. People are charged according to their ability to pay.

Giving is a personal decision based on individual circumstances. As a guide, many salaried employees contribute from 1.5 to 3 percent of their annual salary. Hourly employees find that investing two hours pay per month is a simple yet effective way to help those in need.

It's simple - you authorize a regular payroll deduction to fund your community investment through United Way. No gift is too small, every dollar counts. To maximize the impact of your investment, we recommend that you contribute to the United Way’s Community Care Fund. However, if you feel strongly about designating your contribution we can accommodate your request.

Call 2-1-1.

Other resources are:
24-Hour Crisis Helpline 951.686.4357.
Information and Referral Line: Monday-Friday 8AM–5PM (800)464.1123.

United Way of the Inland Valleys is fundamentally different from other nonprofits due to its independent, volunteer driven assessment of needs and distribution of resources. As a true community building organization, United Way of the Inland Valleys takes its direction from our community. It exists for only one reason - to help us come together as one community to identify and work on the issues we as community volunteers consider most important.

Three very important reasons: First, payroll deduction is probably available to you so you can spread your Fair Share pledge over an entire year. Second, many of our member agencies provide services and activities for all citizens, regardless of their place of residence. Third, the practice of giving where you work but receiving services wherever you need them is an established United Way tradition.