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.
United Way of the Inland Valleys policy follows these guidelines:
- 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.
- Pressure to give in the name of voluntarism is not only wrong, it is unnecessary and a poor substitute for effective campaigning.
- The exertion of pressure violates the concept of voluntary giving.
- Pressure to give hurts both the potential contributor and the cause.
- 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 80 years, United Way of the Inland Valleys has mobilized and supported local 501(c) (3) organizations that provide 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 that address these local needs and produce measurable outcomes. None of these organizations are chosen based on religious affiliation or political stance.
There are 1,100 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. It is a licensee of United Way of America, empowered to use the name and logo of United Way. In all other aspects, it is an independent non-profit corporation responsible for its own decisions and actions. Each United Way has a volunteer board that chooses to fund non-profit organizations that address the needs in their individual communities.
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.
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. A list of organizations funded by United Way of the Inland Valleys can be obtained by logging on to our Web site at uwiv.org.
Designations
In addition, United Way of the Inland Valleys provides, but does not encourage, limited donor choice, which allows contributors the opportunity to direct their gifts to or away from non-profit organizations they may or may not favor. Designations are limited to health and human organizations that hold a valid 501(c)3 status with the IRS. 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. In an effort to meet the needs of our local region first, donors who wish to designate to agencies that are not members or partners of United Way of the Inland Valleys or another recognized United Way, are asked to give 50% of their to donation to our local Community Care Fund. UWIV will process and send the remainder to the designated non-profit organization as requested. (This policy does not apply to national corporations who provide donor choice through their workplace campaign.)
Mission
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.