What is United Way of Garland County?

United Way of Garland County, classified as a 501(c)(3) organization by the IRS,  helps to meet health and human needs through a vast network of local charitable groups and volunteers.  United Way is an independent, autonomous community resource governed by a local board of volunteers.  The volunteer board assesses current and future community needs.  They determine where resources are needed most and then distribute them accordingly.  United Way supports the greatest variety of health and human services in the community, reaching people from all walks of life and all income groups.

United Way ensures that every group receiving funds is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charity that is governed by a volunteer board and submits an annual, independent financial compilation/audit, provides services at a reasonable cost and maintains a policy of nondiscrimination.  To ensure greater accountability to donors, United Way requires member agencies to demonstrate, beyond tax-exempt status, that they are fiscally responsible, that funds raised are used for the purpose intended, that proper accounting standards are met, that the agencies do not discriminate and serve a purpose consistent with the public interest.

United Way, and its local member agencies services and programs, is uniquely situated to address the most pressing and wide-ranging needs of our community.   The time tested approach of a single, community-wide fund raising campaign brings together all segments of the community - organized labor, volunteers, local businesses and service providers - to improve the quality of life in the community and to efficiently serve those in need.  The United Way of Garland County opposes the use of undue pressure in its fund raising, as well as any type of coercion.  Fund raising should always be conducted in a voluntary manner.  The United Way encourages peer solicitation of employees and supplies materials to the volunteer company coordinator for fund raising at their place of employment.

The United Way serves as a referral agency also.  Finding help for a problem can be frustrating.  People often go without help because they do not know what is available or where to turn.