Where Your Money Goes

Donations to United Way of Roanoke Valley are used to support local programs that help local people. Depending on a donor’s preferences, gifts are applied to these areas:

The United Way Impact Fund. This is the primary vehicle for meeting individual needs and building a stronger community. Investments in the United Way Impact Fund go to work in partner agency programs carefully chosen for their ability to produce desired outcomes that match our community's needs. The current list of funded programs can be viewed by clicking this link.

Most people value the efficiency and accountability of making an unrestricted gift to the United Way Impact Fund. You don’t have to decide between helping children, seniors, or individuals needing a warm meal and a place to stay. You are assured that trained volunteers work hard to invest in specific programs of greatest need that produce measurable results. Partner agencies report on results and this information guides how future gifts are invested through the Community Investment Process.

Designated gifts. Some donors may prefer to direct how part of their gifts are to be used, and several choices are available:

• United Way Impact Areas: You can specify an amount to support United Way partner agency programs within one impact area: children and youth, seniors, families, health and self-sufficiency. The gift will be shared among all related programs that rely on the United Way Fund for support, and will be allocated by volunteers as part of the Community Investment Process.
• Partner Agency: If you choose to designate part of your pledge to a specific United Way partner agency, the amount you specify goes to the agency's general fund – not to a specific program – with no follow-up or other results monitoring by United Way.
• Eligible Agency: Qualified nonprofit agencies that are not United Way partner agencies can also be designated to receive a portion of your gift. As noted above, United Way does not monitor these gifts and cannot vouch for their use or results achieved.
• Other United Way: Neighboring or nationwide, United Ways cooperate in sending donations as contributors request. This is helpful, for example, when employees live and work in different communities served by different United Ways.

Please note that gifts designated to anything but United Way Impact Areas are subject to an administrative fee that covers the cost of collecting and distributing donations.