United Way of Southeast Alaska is in the unique position to act as a neutral hub, partnering with government, individuals, businesses and the nonprofit sector to address community-wide issues. We link donors to issues they care about. We partner with 40 health and social service agencies to achieve significant community impact.

Yes. We focus our partnerships and fundraising efforts on programs that help:

Nurture children and youth.
Care for the elderly and people with special needs.
Strengthen families and individuals.
Meet the basic needs of people in crisis.

United Way of America is a trade association for United Ways. Local United Ways are independent, separately incorporated nonprofits, governed by local volunteers. United Way of Southeast Alaska chooses to belong to and purchase services from the national organization. Of the funds we raise, less than .75% goes toward our membership fees. In exchange, we receive administrative and research support, training opportunities, discounts on goods and services, and the right to use the United Way trademark. It's a good investment.

Yes. Whether you designate your United Way gift to United Way of Southeast Alaska or to another local nonprofit, 99% of the donation stays here in Southeast Alaska.

Yes. Your pledge form gives you the option to direct your gift to the United Way of Southeast Alaska, to a specific nonprofit organization, or to your local Southeast community. It's your choice. This is how United Way of Southeast Alaska provides the best possible service to individual donors in our community.

Gifts of time and money have helped the United Way of Southeast Alaska to identify critical needs in our communities. For instance, the Compass II project, funded by the Rasmuson Foundation, found that 70% of the people in Juneau targeted affordable housing and homelessness and their number one concern. In Ketchikan, the number one priority was improving the city for kids. By giving to the United Way Community Impact Fund, we are able to target those funds to the identified issues of highest concern.

Your gift helps us partner with effective service providers, collaborate with appropriate entities and fund solutions that will create lasting change.

Giving to United Way is the most efficient way to give and it allows your gift to multiply your power to solve community problems.

We certify the integrity of our operations through annual internal and external audits.

In recent years, about 75% of total gifts have come from individuals; around 25% are corporate gifts.

We’re proud of our efficiency. Seventeen percent of your donation covers fund-raising and administrative costs at United Way. We at United Way of Southeast Alaska are good stewards of your resources. The national standard for nonprofit overhead is 25% of total funds raised, with the Better Business Bureau recommending a cap of 35% spent on overhead.

Agency budgets exceed the income available from United Way. You can help us identify and address agencies' most critical funding needs by giving directly to the United Way. In addition, we invite your suggestions and insight. Let us know where you believe our resources will have the most significant community impact.

group of dedicated volunteers serve on the Community Impact committee, which is divided into four panels that review agencies providing services in the areas of care listed above. Based on community research, site visits, agency presentations, and financial and operational reviews, the panel members recommend funding levels for agencies, programs and projects.

Collectively, United Ways collect nearly $4 billion to help their communities. In Southeast Alaska, donors contributed slightly more than $500,000.

Payroll deduction pledges would stop when you no longer receive paychecks.

If your household is fortunate to have two incomes, we hope you will consider making two contributions through the payroll deduction system, with each of you pledging a gift based on your ability to give. Many spouses wish to make independent giving choices and earn recognition within and for their own work places.

United Way is interested in partnering with health and social service agencies in Southeast Alaska that address our four key areas of care, and that meet our standards for effective management. Periodically agencies are encouraged to apply for membership status; they must meet the United Way of Southeast Alaska criteria.

Some of our agencies have religious origins, such as the Catholic Social Services, the Glory Hole, Love INC, and St. Vincent de Paul. United Way agencies serve anyone in our community – regardless of religious affiliation.

Voluntary giving is what United Way is all about – no one should feel forced to give. In fact, United Way has a policy against coercion. The decision to give is always personal.

Statistics show that one of three people will use United Way services in their lifetime. Your support ensures that you, your loved ones, and your neighbors will have help when it is needed. Your gift enhances the quality of life in the community where we live, work, raise our families, and retire.

Here are four benefits our donors enjoy:

Collaboration. You join a community-wide effort to make life better for all.

Results. You help identify and implement long-term solutions to community problems.

Impact. Your gift is leveraged through partnerships that achieve maximum community impact.

Stewardship. Our operational expenses are well below the national average for nonprofit organizations and our operations are transparent. We work to serve as a model nonprofit and mentor to all nonprofit agencies.

Of course, any gift that supports human services in Southeast Alaska is welcome. When you give to United Way, you do more than support an individual agency. You support a community-wide effort to understand and address our region's larger system of human service needs. You support efforts to ensure effective nonprofit management practices. You support partnerships that magnify the impact of your gift. You support the idea that we can accomplish far more together than we can alone. Thank You!