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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
 A. What is United Way's History
 The concept of the United Way began in Denver, Colorado, in 1887. Four caring men - a priest, two ministers and a rabbi - began to dream of greater service to others. They envisioned one organization that could include and unify many other organizations and, in the process, strengthen each of them. It was a concept that proved its worth – and one powerful enough to reach Tampa 37 years later. Click to read more.
B. What is United Way's Mission?
United Way is a local not-for-profit organization working to mobilize the resources of individuals, companies, government, and labor to achieve positive and lasting changes in the lives of people in the community. Our mission is to inspire leaders and partners and mobilize resources to make a measurable difference in the lives of people in our community.
United Way’s vision is to build a strong, caring community.
C. What does United Way do?
United Way leads and partners with many community organizations to understand the needs of people in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. We research and work with key partners to identify the best approaches to solve problems and address needs to build a stronger community. United Way provides year-round communications to create awareness in communities about issues, conditions, and opportunities. We work closely with our partners to raise funds and recruit people needed to implement the right programs to produce measurable results.
D. How is United Way different from other charities?
The value of United Way is the ability to engage the community to act together to change the conditions and systems that affect people. While other organizations help a single population of people or address a particular symptom of need, United Way is able to have impact on a variety of issues, while staying focused on the ones the community has agreed need the most attention. We have the unique privilege of connecting available resources to critical needs in ways that other organizations cannot
E. How is United Way Accountable?
United Way of Tampa Bay submits a community-driven self-assessment of its community impact, financial management, decision-making and organizational governance every three years to United Way of America. These assessments are reviewed by a group of United Way volunteers, professional leaders and outside experts in areas of financial management, governance and ethics.
United Way of Tampa Bay reports full revenue, expense data, annual reports, IRS 990forms,financial audits and codes of ethics to United Way of America for third party review. You can view such information in our resource center.
F. What does United Way mean by "Community Impact?"
United Way’s Community Impact Agenda expands United Way’s work and role in the community. The organization continues to help individuals and families, and also provide leadership to change community conditions, such as unemployment, poverty, the lack of affordable child care, and adult illiteracy.
G. What is United Way of Tampa Bay’s Impact Agenda?
United Way of Tampa Bay's focus is on helping children and youth succeed, helping families achieve and sustain finacial stability, working with low income neighborhoods, and maintaining a safety net of human service programs that help people and families when facing a crisis, such as hunger, homelessness, family violence, and so forth..
H. So, is United Way solely a fundraiser and a funder?
No. While fundraising and funding are core activities of United Way, we do much more than that. We partner across all sectors to identify community needs and priorities and undertake numerous collaborative initiatives to address those needs, such as: The Prosperity Campaign (free income tax preparation sites) United Way's Children's Book Drive (last year more than 100,000 books were collected for 25,000 low income children). The Imagination Library (in partnership with Dolly Parton's foundation and local organizations) My Family's Future (web-based financial resource guide for families) United Way also operates the Hands on Tampa Bay program ( website) and organizes many volunteer projects throughout the year, in addition to the Day of Caring.
I. How are funding decisions made at United Way?
United Way's investments in community agencies are programs are made by community volunteers who work together on teams to review proposals and then make decisions based on United Way priorities, the quality of the agency making the proposal, and the results being delivered by the agency/program. The recommendations of our volunteer teams are vetted through the Community and Partnership Development Committee of the Board and then finally reviewed and approved by the United Way's Board of Directors.
J. What is United Way's role if a hurricane hits?
United Way is busy year round, working with community partners to help ensure that the human services sector is ready for a bad hurricane or other types of major disasters. We work closely with both the Hillsborough and Pinellas County Governments, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and many others to increase disaster preparedness efforts as well as ensure recovery programs are in place. We have a full time Director of Disaster Services who helps to organize and support community collaboratives, training intitiatives and disaster planning. United Way is written into Hillsborough County's Disaster Plan and is responsible for mobilizing volunteers during a disaster. In Pinellas County, key staff sit on the Disaster Recovery Leadership Network, a consortium of human service agencies focused on disaster preparedness. For more information visit United Way of Tampa Bay's Disaster Services Blog. Also visit this page on this website.
K. How efficient is United Way of Tampa Bay
United Way returns 86 cents on every dollar collected to community programs. United Way consistently delivers such a rate of return, which is substantially better than most other charities.
L. Why should I give to United Way?
A gift to United Way is an investment in the health and safety of our community. Chances are, you or someone you know has already been helped by United Way, and your gift ensures those services will continue to respond if you need help in the future. Giving to others in need makes you feel good, and combined with other contributions, will get results that no one could achieve on their own.
A. How do I use this United Way of Tampa Bay's Website?
There are seven main navigation buttons below the banner. Put your mouse over any one of them to reveal sub menus. Click on your preference. You can always go back to the main page by clicking on the top banner on any page. If you wish to make a donation or volunteer, click on the Donate or Volunteer buttons on the left of each page, below the banner.
B. Where do I go if I want to donate?
Click on the Donate button on the left hand side of the page, just below the banner, (or click HERE). You can also give by telephone at 813.274.0900. Just tell the receptionist you wish to give a donation. Or you can mail in your donation to:
United Way of Tampa Bay
Donations Team
5201 W. Kennedy Ave., Suite 600
Tampa, FL 33609
C. Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes.
D. Who do I call if I haven't received my charitable tax receipt?
Call Lori L. Rossi at 813.274.0900. You can email her at lrossi@uwtb.org
E. How can I volunteer in the community?
United Way operates the Hands On Tampa program and you can sign up at our HOT website at http://www.volunteertampabay.com
If you would like to start a volunteer program at your place of work, we can help you do that too. Click Here.
F. What's the difference between United Way of Tampa Bay and the United Way of America?
The United Way of America is the national organization for all United Ways in the United States. It sets operating standards, brand guidelines, leads in setting national priorities and relationship building with national corporations and institutions, among many other things. Each local United Way, like here in Tampa Bay, is an autonomous organization with their own 501(c) 3 designation and their own board of directors. However each United Way is subject to the national standards and policies in order to maintain its public status as a United Way organization. The United Way of America website is HERE.
How can I contact a United Way Partner Agency?
Refer to the list of United Way partner agencies.
How can I plan for my family's financial future?
 United Way operates My Family's Future, which offers financial information and resources, including links to local organizations that can help you as well as more than 20 financial tools and calculators. Visit the site for more information.
How do I find out more about free income tax preparation services?
The Prosperity Campaign provides free tax preparation at dozens of locations in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. Volunteers will assist you with your income tax preparation and help you apply for Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) and Child Tax Credits (CTC). Each year millions of dollars are put back into the hands of people who qualified for such benefits. You can find more information here.
Where can I go to get emergency assistance for rent, food, utility payments, and health care?
In addition to phoning 2-1-1, you can find a listing of state and local services that may be able to help you by clicking HERE. You will be taken to our other website called My Family's Future.
Who can I call for help?
In the Tampa Bay area, dial 2-1-1 to talk to an information specialist. He or she will assess your needs over the phone and instruct you about available resources. For more information about 211, click here.
How can I contact Staff Members
Click here for our staff list and contact information. Our general phone number is 813 274 0900.
Who is the President and CEO of United Way of Tampa Bay
Diana Baker |bio|
President & CEO
813-274-0907
dbaker@uwtb.org
Who sits on United Way's Board of Directors
Click here for our current board list.
Do you have any jobs available at United Way of Tampa Bay?
If we have job openings, they are posted on our website. You can check to see if there are any postings by clicking here. You can apply on line and send along your resume as well if you find a position you are interested in.
If you are interested in jobs with United Ways in other parts of the country, you can find nationwide listings of jobs at the United Way of America website.
Before applying for a job with us, we encourage you to visit around our web site and get to know us a little.
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