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Coercion
United Way of the Inland Valleys believes that
the most responsive contributors are those who have the opportunity
to become informed and involved voluntarily.
Experience clearly shows that fund raising
success depends on how much potential donors know and understand
about the organization seeking their support. Fund raising
should always be conducted in a voluntary manner. Coercion
creates animosity, hinders communication and contradicts the
real purpose and spirit of voluntary giving.
Covered in this section:
:: Funding
| :: Funding of the Boy Scouts |
:: Pro-choice/Pro-life | ::
Stance on Political Issues
United Way of the Inland Valleys policy
follows these guidelines:
1. Giving is a personal matter and a
personal decision; whether a person wishes to give and how
much they choose is up to the individual.
2. Pressure to give in the name of voluntarism
is not only wrong, it is unnecessary and a poor substitute
for effective campaigning.
3. The exertion of pressure violates
the concept of voluntary giving.
4. Pressure to give hurts both the potential
contributor and the cause.
5. No form of coercion is acceptable,
particularly that which includes any stated or implied effect
on personal employment status.
This policy is communicated to all volunteers
and organizations conducting United Way campaigns. In
addition, all training, communications and educational efforts
support the policy.
Funding
For over 70 years, United Way of the Inland
Valleys has mobilized and supported local 501(c) (3) organizations
that provide programs and services that focus on the most
critical issues in our community. These non-profit organizations
are selected and screened by carefully trained volunteer review
teams to insure that each organization funded provides programs
and services that address these local needs and produce measurable
outcomes. None of these organizations are chosen based on
religious affiliation or political stance.
There are 1,400 United Way organizations across
the country each run independently. United Way of the Inland
Valleys is a local, independent 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization
governed by community leaders who make decisions for raising
and distributing funds in our community. United Way of the
Inland Valleys is not a chapter or franchise of United
Way of America or any other United Way. Each United Way
has a volunteer Board of Directors
that chooses to fund non-profit organizations that address
the needs in their individual communities.
Organizations funded by United Way of the Inland
Valleys are required to comply with and support all applicable
laws concerning non-discrimination and shall have a written
non-discrimination policy that is in compliance with the current
laws. View a list of organizations
funded by United Way of the Inland Valleys.
In addition, United Way of the Inland Valleys
provides donor choice, which allows contributors the opportunity
to direct their gifts to or away from non-profit organizations
they may or may not favor. United Way of the Inland Valleys
cannot or will not influence the personal decisions of donors
to give to a qualified non-profit organization of their choice.
The mission of United Way of the Inland Valleys
is building community resources to improve life in Riverside
County. United Way of the Inland Valleys philosophy
is to remain neutral with regard to any and all religious
and political issues. By doing so, we are able to help
more people in need in our community.
Funding of the Boy
Scouts
To date, a small percentage of the 1400 United
Ways across the country have withdrawn funding from their
local Boy Scout organizations. All United Ways are separate
and autonomous organizations, with governance and funding
decisions entirely the responsibility of local volunteers.
Consequently, the policies adopted by one community’s
United Way have no effect on other communities.
The Boy Scouts of America has been a United
Way of the Inland Valleys affiliated agency for many years.
The recent Supreme Court ruling that upholds the membership
and leadership criteria of the Boy Scouts in no way affects
existing funding commitments.
Each spring United Way volunteers from Western
Riverside County review and evaluate all affiliated agencies.
Policies and procedures will continue to be guided by their
recommendations to the Board of Directors.
To volunteer for a United Way affiliated agency
review team, contact United Way of the Inland Valleys.
Pro-choice/Pro-life
The pro-choice/pro-life debate is a controversial
and potentially divisive subject.
It is essential that United Way not participate
in this debate on issues of morality if it is to sustain the
community consensus required to be effective. United
Way can best serve Riverside County if it is kept outside
a pro-choice/pro-life debate.
United Way of the Inland Valleys supports hundreds
of services in our community through its annual priority funding
process. None of these organizations provide abortions,
nor are there plans to fund organizations that engage in this
practice.
United Way's donor choice program allows
contributors the opportunity to direct their gifts to or away
from agencies they may or may not favor. United Way
cannot, however, influence the personal decisions of donors
to give to a qualified non-profit organization of their choice.
People working together for a common purpose
are at the heart of United Way's mission of helping.
Leaders of factions on both sides of the pro-choice/pro-life
issue must recognize this fact and respect United Way's obligation
to remain outside the debate. By doing so, United Way
is able to help more people.
Stance on Political
Issues
The philosophy of United Way of the Inland
Valleys is to remain neutral with regard to any and all political
issues.
Therefore, we take no position with specific
propositions, bills, measures or candidates for political
office. We will not influence our employees, partners or volunteers
to vote for or against any issues or candidates.
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