Contact us
Our team is happy to provide answers to additional questions you may have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Addressing common myths and misconceptions about the United Way
Explore FAQs about the United Way’s mission and fundraising efforts, and see how we’re addressing common misconceptions about the United Way. If you’re a Department Champion and are looking for more information, visit our Champion Resources page.
FAQs
What does United Way do?
United Way mobilizes the goodwill and resources of our community so everyone can thrive. They bring together donors, volunteers, businesses, nonprofits, and public partners to address our region’s most urgent challenges. By investing in local organizations, strengthening essential services, and responding to emerging needs, they help build a community where every person can live a stable, healthy life.
How does United Way raise money?
United Way raises funds through workplace campaigns, individual giving, corporate partnerships, and community events. Many supporters give a small amount each week—and when those gifts are combined, they create powerful, measurable impact. The United Way takes responsibility to steward every dollar seriously and work to ensure each contribution delivers the greatest possible benefit to our community.
Why should I give to the United Way?
When you give to United Way, you join thousands of neighbors who believe in the power of working together. Your gift supports a coordinated network of local nonprofits providing food, housing, mental health care, youth development, workforce support, and more. Collective giving enables responding to urgent needs, strengthening long-term solutions, and creating impact at a scale no single organization can achieve alone.
How does the United Way decide which nonprofits receive funding?
Funding decisions are guided by community data, local expertise, and careful review of each organization’s effectiveness and ability to meet pressing needs. The United Way regularly assesses changing conditions in our region to ensure resources are directed where they can make the greatest difference. The funding model includes both multi-year and single-year grants to remain responsive and flexible as needs evolve.
Does my donation stay in my community?
Yes. Donations to United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes support programs and services across our six-county region.
Can I support a specific nonprofit through United Way?
Yes. You can designate your gift to a specific organization through the donor designation program or participate in ROC the Day. In both cases, 100% of your designated gift goes directly to the organization you choose.
I don’t have much to give. Can I still make a difference?
Absolutely. Many supporters give about $2 per week. When combined with thousands of others, those small gifts fuel real change—helping families access food, students receive after-school support, and older adults get to critical medical appointments. Every gift matters.
How can I make a monetary donation?
Visit our ePledge page to learn how you can donate.
How can I volunteer?
Contact us if you’re interested in becoming a University of Rochester Department Champion. Or, talk with your office’s Department Champion to learn more.
You can also visit United Way’s Volunteer page for more opportunities.
Are there resources or materials available to help Department Champions?
Yes, visit our Champion Resources page for helpful downloadable materials.
Common United Way myths and misconceptions
Myth: My donation doesn’t stay here in the community
100% of your donation stays local and supports the causes, organizations, and communities you are passionate about. Every United Way is a stand-alone entity locally governed with missions that are locally identified and directed; we are one of the most local national charities in terms of governing body and operations. The Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes chapter does pay United Way Worldwide around a 1% annual fee out of their operating budget, which in turn provides their staff support and training, branding and marketing resources, group rates on technology and services, and more—all resources that help us better support the needs in our communities.
Myth: I don’t have a lot to give, so I can’t make much impact
The average donor is $2 a week. That $2 a week gives a local child one week of after-school learning and provides two older adults with round-trip transportation to get safely to medical appointments, grocery shopping, social events, and more. There is power in individual action and collective giving. Your gift, combined with others, significantly impacts our community. You are creating a better, stronger region—one ride, one meal, and one day of after-school programming at a time.
Myth: Most of my donation is going to overhead and operating expenses, so I should just give to agencies directly
United Way has an 8% fee for overhead and operating expenses. Charity Navigator awards the highest score for fundraising costs if they are 10% or less, and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance indicates that a charity should spend no more than 35% of related contributions on fundraising. That 8% fee supports the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes’ work of collective giving, convening regional partners, crisis response coordination, and developing and expanding services available to the community, including Volunteer United, our Leadership Development Programs, and non-profit resources.
Myth: United Way programs just provide handouts and are a band-aid solution to our community’s problems
United Way is addressing community impact at scale. They are uniquely positioned to understand community needs, identify disparities, and improve lives through direct service, collaborations, volunteerism, and advocacy. They are dedicated to identifying the greatest needs in the community and investing Community Impact Fund dollars in evidence-based and preventative programs. All United Way partner programs and initiatives are monitored, measured, and evaluated regularly.
Myth: United Way only helps people in the city of Rochester
The United Way invests in a network of partner programs that help people all across our entire 6-county region. Learn more about the programs they invest in.
Myth: We’re forced to give to United Way
We would never want anyone to feel forced to support something they don’t believe in. United Way does not encourage companies to coerce employees to give. The United Way works with companies to help them offer it as a simple, convenient way for their employees to invest in our community.
Myth: United Way doesn’t provide any volunteer opportunities
The Volunteer United platform supports nonprofits and mobilizes volunteers to assist with urgent community needs. Over 14,000 volunteers are matched with meaningful opportunities to help local nonprofits annually. The portal is continually updated and offers virtual and in-person volunteer opportunities that match volunteers’ time and talents. Learn more about United Way’s volunteer opportunities.
Myth: Nobody gives through their workplace anymore; the United Way model doesn’t work
The United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes is 500 companies and more than 700 campaign champions strong! They are fortunate to have the support of so many companies and employees in our 6-county region and feel honored they connect with us for their philanthropic giving. In addition, the ways in which the United Way engages with organizations continues to evolve beyond the traditional workplace campaign. From the ALICE experience and kit building to cause marketing, United Way is meeting organizations where they are and finding new, inspiring ways to engage teams and invest in community. Learn more about their corporate partnership.
Myth: United Way doesn’t need the support because they received a sizable gift from Mackenzie Scott in 2020
United Way was fortunate to receive a one-time $20 million gift from Mackenzie Scott in 2020. This gift was meant as a transformational investment, not a programmatic investment and not a replacement for or a contribution to the annual campaign. United Way convened a Board of Directors taskforce that monitors the investment of this gift. A majority of this gift has been invested back into the community through crisis response grants, Equity Fund grants, Bridge Support funding and standing up the new 2025 single-year and proactive grants. The remainder of the gift has been invested in United Way to support infrastructure long deferred and critical for leveraging funds and supporting our nonprofit community well into the future, including technology in community meeting rooms, data warehouse, and a new website for ROC the Day.