Frequently Asked Questions

"TOO MUCH OF THE MONEY RAISED BY MONADNOCK UNITED WAY IS USED FOR ADMINISTRATION AND ADVERTISING EXPENSES."

The Monadnock United Way campaign is recognized as a proven method of cost-efficient fund raising. Monadnock United Way's goal is to maximize the amount of dollars going to meet community needs. Only 11 cents of every dollar pays for overhead. The average charity is reported to spend between twenty and forty percent of every dollar on overhead.

Monadnock United Way uses volunteers in all aspects of its work. For example, my employer has donated my time for several months to help in the campaign effort. Other volunteers provide their skills and expertise in fund distribution and all other aspects of Monadnock United Way. The extensive use of volunteers allows Monadnock United Way to maintain a small staff with low overhead.
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"MONADNOCK UNITED WAY IS JUST ANOTHER CHARITY."

Monadnock United Way is more than "just another charity." When you give, you are making an investment in the quality of life in this community. Your gift is then matched and magnified by the gifts of your co-workers, neighbors and friends.

Monadnock United Way raises funds for many agencies providing a broad spectrum of services throughout the community. Most charities have a single cause for which they are seeking funds. Monadnock United Way is raising money to provide services for one out of three people in the Monadnock Region.
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"MONADNOCK UNITED WAY ONLY HELPS THE POOR."

Monadnock United Way services are directed toward many throughout all sectors of our community for the benefit of everyone. Examples of broad-based services include youth programs, family counseling, day care, health education, diagnostic programs, and drug and alcohol treatment programs. None of us knows when a tragedy will strike and when we will need help. Furthermore, all benefit from living and working in a healthier, happier community.
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"THERE IS AN AGENCY I DON'T LIKE. THEREFORE, I WILL HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MONADNOCK UNITED WAY."

 

 We respect your right to have this opinion.
Remember, though, that a wide variety of services are performed by Monadnock United Way agencies throughout your community. Children, people with disabilities, seniors, families in crisis and others in need are all helped by your contribution. Not giving makes it more difficult to provide needed help.
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"MONADNOCK UNITED WAY IS NOT MEETING THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMUNITY NEEDS." Teams of volunteers review agencies for admission and for funding to ensure that services are provided to people throughout the community who have the greatest needs. Not every problem can be solved, but the volunteers work to find the most effective, efficient ways of meeting critical needs.
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"I WANT TO DECIDE WHERE MY MONEY SHOULD GO."

 

 You can. Monadnock United Way's Donor Choice Program makes it possible. You can direct all or part of your contribution to the volunteer review process, a problem area which you feel needs immediate resources in order to really make a difference or an agency or the United Way within your own community.
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"I DON'T LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY."

 

 Monadnock United Way's Donor Choice Program makes it possible for you to direct your contribution to the United Way serving your home community. You can take advantage of payroll deduction at the office while ensuring that your contribution supports services in your community.
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"I USED AN AGENCY AND WAS CHARGED A FEE.”

 

 That fee you were charged pays for part of the cost of the agency service you received. The Monadnock United Way does not fund 100% of every agency and those who can afford to pay are sometimes asked to according to their financial ability. This helps reduce the cost of service to the community and insures that Monadnock United Way dollars go as far as possible for people unable to pay.
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"I DON'T HAVE ANY SPARE CASH."
 Few of us could enjoy the houses, cars or appliances we have if we had to pay cash for them. A year-round pledge is a more convenient manner of contributing for year-round services. Payroll deduction is one means, but an employee has the voluntary option of contributing cash or being billed monthly for a deferred payment pledge.
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"I HEAR THAT SOME FIRMS FORCE THEIR EMPLOYEES TO GIVE. HOW ABOUT THAT?"

 

 

 Monadnock United Way believes that every employee should receive an adequate explanation concerning the importance of Monadnock United Way agencies' services. A proper approach by a volunteer solicitor includes an adequate explanation of the services. However, under no circumstances should an employee be threatened or coerced into contributing. Giving is a personal matter and a personal decision; whether individuals wish to give and how much they choose to give are up to the individual.
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"WHEN I GIVE TO MY LOCAL UNITED WAY, DOES ALL OF MY MONEY GO TO A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION TO BE DEALT WITH?”
 Absolutely not. Monadnock United Way raises money in this community to fund local services: All of the money you give is directed according to the decisions of local volunteers during the allocations process, where citizens review agency funding requests, budgets and services. Membership with United Way of America only allows local United Ways the opportunity to benefit from various services. All funding decisions are still made by local volunteers.
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