Fundraising should always be conducted in a voluntary manner; coercion creates animosity, hinders communication and understanding, and eventually leads to decreased support. We discourage the practice of seeking 100% participation in a campaign, as that may inadvertently encourage coercion.
To underscore our conviction about this policy, United Way of America’s Board of Governors adopted the following policy statement:
The Board of Governors of United Way of America believes that the most responsive contributors are those who have the opportunity to become informed and involved. A well-planned campaign with an effective communications program, conducted by committed volunteers, will ensure responsible contributors. While we have always been unalterably opposed to coercion, we do recognize a responsibility to state our beliefs formally, as freedom of choice is a basic tenet of our democratic society.
Giving is a personal matter and decision: no form of coercion is acceptable to United Way of America.