Campaign Frequently Asked Questions

United Way of Southwest Minnesota is a 100% independent local non-profit organization that focuses on human service needs of communities in this area. United Way is much more than a fund-raising organization. United Way is about changing lives. United Way works with dozens of partners to deliver results. Our primary service area (but not limited to) is Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, western Redwood, and Yellow Medicine Counties of Southwest Minnesota. We focus on education, income and health, the building blocks for a better life.

A twenty-four member Board of Directors is comprised of local volunteers. These volunteers are responsible for setting policies, budget and overseeing the direction of United Way of Southwest Minnesota. Professional staff manages day-to-day activities. The 2011-12 Board President is Kay Ponstein, Minnesota Cabinets.

This is a common misconception about United Way. We are not a local chapter of a national organization which infers lots of ‘top down’ control. We are completely local and autonomous, run by local volunteers. Annually, United Way of Southwest Minnesota meets the rigorous United Way Worldwide membership standards for good governance, accountability and compliance with the IRS code. Membership dues are less than 1% of our budget. Our board of directors finds that the benefits of research, continuing education, advertising and access to national corporations far outweigh that small cost.

When you give to United Way, you entrust your hard-earned dollars to a local organization that takes this trust very seriously. United Way volunteers oversee grants to all local programs and closely monitor agency services and hold them accountable for integrity in their programming and business operations. Just as important, United Way of Southwest Minnesota’s own operating expenses and records are audited by an independent accounting firm and carefully scrutinized by a volunteer finance committee to protect this trust. Based on our most recently completed audit, local administration costs are only 7.98% and fund raising costs are another 6.67% which means the most money possible goes into services for people in this area. United Way also provides important services to the community in addition to providing grants to qualifying organizations providing services for local people.

Volunteers do - people like you, who care about our area and its needs. Each year volunteers from our service area evaluate programs on your behalf. They are as careful with your United Way contribution as you would be. They are not only volunteers, but they are also contributors just like you. They want to find the most effective ways to use their donations.
Volunteers analyze each grant application, visit with representatives of each agency, and review their budget and program information. They analyze each agency’s performance, administration and financial management, as well as its responsiveness to community needs. From that point, they make recommendations to the Board of Directors of United Way of Southwest Minnesota regarding grant awards.

United Way has several grant opportunities. Venture Grants applications are accepted two times each year. Community Impact Grants are awarded each summer. United Way needs to know of an organization’s interest by February to get them current information. All grants are reviewed by teams of volunteers (as described above).

To be eligible to apply for funds through United Way you must meet the following requirements: Be a non-profit health or human service agency serving residents of our service area; Document cost-effective delivery of high-priority programs and services; Demonstrate sound financial and administrative management practices; Comply with all applicable laws; Be governed by a board of directors; and Demonstrate impact through measurable outcomes, i.e. show that they get results.

Contact United Way at 507-929-2273. Children ages birth to 5 years of age who live in this area are eligible to be enrolled in this literacy, school-readiness program. They will receive a free, age-appropriate book each month at home. Parents need to agree to read it to them regularly. Enroll on our website: www.unitedwayswmn.org