LIVE UNITED. GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is United Way? Berwick Area United Way is an 85 year old community service organization that focuses on meeting the needs of the residents of the Berwick area. Much more than a fund raising organization, Berwick Area United Way is about knowing our community, identifying its needs and changing lives.
What is the difference between Berwick Area United Way and United Way of America? United Way of America is the national organization dedicated to leading the United Way movement in creating measurable change in the most important issues across our country: health, education and income. Over 1,200 local United Ways are independently organized and run by local volunteers. There are no fund raising quotas and all funds are under local control. Dues to United Way of America are less than 1% of our total funds.
Who runs the Berwick Area United Way? A 15 member volunteer Board of Directors are responsible for setting policies, managing the budget and overseeing the operation of the organization. The 8 member Budget and Agency Relations Committee makes the funding decisions which allocate the funds raised each year among the partner agencies and United Way’s programs. The Committee visits agencies, reviews financial repots and budgets, interviews agency staff and works hard to be sure that the funds are used in the best possible way for the benefit of the community.
How do I know that my donation is wisely spent? Berwick Area United Way makes sure that the money you give us goes to meet the community’s real needs. We are a good steward of the money you give by keeping our expenses as low as possible, investing wisely and monitoring what your money is doing in this community. We maintain communication with you and encourage you to participate as a volunteer. Berwick Area United Way staff and volunteers work with the programs we support to be sure they are doing what needs to be done and we encourage them to measure the progress they are making in improving the quality of life here for all of us.
Why give to United Way? Why not just give directly to the agency? Berwick Area United Way listens to you when you tell us what you and your neighbors, family and friends need in this community. We are continually going into the community to ask you what you think are the problems here. We also ask you what the good things are so that we can support those too. We also monitor the financial condition of our partner agencies to be sure your donations are wisely and well spent.