FAQ

Our mission is to increase our community’s capacity to care for one another. 

 

Marshfield Area United Way is committed to improving lives in our community.  United Way works year-round to advance the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. Everyone deserves opportunities to achieve a quality education that leads to a stable job, family-sustaining income through all of life’s stages, good health and a safe home. That’s why United Way focuses on the building blocks of a good life: education, income and health. We identify issues, develop partnerships, implement solutions, and measure results. Our goal is to create long-lasting changes by addressing the underlying causes of problems.

 

There are approximately 1,285 United Way organizations across the country that exists in their respective cities and towns to build community partnerships and leverage resources to create plans for long-lasting community change. Though United Ways share a logo and have similar missions, each United Way organization is independently incorporated and is led by local staff and volunteers. The work of each United Way is determined by its community’s needs.

 

Marshfield Area United Way is governed by a local Board of Directors that consists of community volunteers who set strategy and oversee the operations.  There is paid staff (3.5 persons) to manage United Way on a daily basis.

 

Marshfield Area United Way is a member of United Way Worldwide, but we are a separate, independent and locally operated organization. The mission of United Way Worldwide is to support and serve local United Ways. Our membership dues are 2% of the total campaign in our local area. The money is returned to the community in multiple ways. United Way Worldwide also provides training and support to United Way staff.

 

The Finance Committee, made up of volunteers from the Board of Directors and other community members, meets regularly to review expenses, budgets, and financial statements. On a monthly basis the Board of Directors reviews financial statements for the organization. The 2019 audited administrative overhead rate was 19%.

 

Marshfield Area United Way provides services to Arpin, Auburndale, Granton, Greenwood, Loyal, Marshfield, Neillsville, Pittsville, Spencer and Stratford communities. 

 

Charitable giving is a personal and voluntary decision and Marshfield Area United Way encourages you to do what is most comfortable for you. An investment in United Way benefits the entire community, not just one program, issue, or population.

 

An investment in United Way supports 27 local programs and direct services United Way provides that are addressing the community’s most pressing needs. Additionally, United Way requires accountability and oversight for your contribution via a reports and regular site visits to assure your pledge is being used to do the most good in our community.

 

Nearly 81 cents of each dollar contributed to Marshfield Area United Way goes directly to local programs and services - far more efficient than most other non-profit organizations, both locally and nationally

 

Though you have the opportunity to designate your contribution to a United Way partner programs or other United Ways, please consider not designating your gift. Donor designations make it increasingly difficult for Marshfield Area United Way to ensure that the most critical community needs are receiving adequate support. To designate your gift, you must write the name of the agency and/or community on the pledge form. If a United Way, United Fund, or Community Chest cannot be located in that community, your contribution will be sent to the United Way closest to that community.

 

Marshfield Area United Way’s policies state that designations may only be made to programs funded by Marshfield Area United Way.  Designations to other communities will go to the nearest United Way or Community Fund.

 

Marshfield Area United Way allocates funds to partner agencies’ programs through a volunteer review process. Your designated contribution will go specifically to the 501(c)(3) health and human service organization/other United Way you designate on your pledge card. It will not increase the agency’s funding unless the total of all designated gifts exceeds the amount recommended by the volunteers. According to Membership Standard M, all agencies are notified of designation by February 28th of the year following the campaign. Designation payments will be sent to other United Way’s in June and December.

 

Yes, unless you designate to a program outside of the area.

 

A part of the cost of running a campaign includes marketing/operations expenses, but a large portion of the printing, paper and production is donated by local businesses. Administrative overhead includes all costs relative to campaign and operating the organization.

 

Marshfield Area United Way has never supported Planned Parenthood.

 

Yes. We accept gifts of supplies and equipment that we distribute to United Way partner agencies. We call these ‘in-kind gifts’. We also accept gifts of stocks and bonds. If you would like more information or have an item to donate, please contact the United Way at

715-507-5005

 

Marshfield Area United Way is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization.  Your gift is tax-deductible as a charitable contribution.

 

Call our office at 715-507-5005 or e-mail info@marshfieldareaunitedway.org 

 

For community information & referral: Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211wisconsin.communityos.org/