Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
What area is served and supported by your organization?
Our organization serves Santa Cruz County, which includes all of the areas and zip codes listed below:
- Aptos
--Street: 95003
--P.O. Box: 95001
- Ben Lomond
--Street: 95005
- Boulder Creek
--Street: 95006
- Brookdale
--Street: 95007
- Capitola
--Street: 95010
- Davenport
--Street: 95017
- Felton
--Street: 95018
- Freedom
--Street: 95019
- Mount Herman
--Street: 95041
- Santa Cruz
--Street: 95060, 95062, 95063, 95064, 95065
--P.O. Box: 95061
- Scotts Valley
--Street: 95066
--P.O. Box: 95067
- Soquel
--Street: 95073
- Watsonville
--Street: 95076
--P.O. Box: 95077
Who oversees your organization's spending?
We have a member volunteer Board of Trustees that meets every other month. In the months in-between, committees of the Board meet including: the executive committee, finance committee, personnel committee, and development committee. We are audited by a CPA firm every summer and always pass with flying colors.
Who really decides where the money raised goes?
Volunteers like yourselves from more than 30 local businesses and organizations. They complete agency site visits and conduct budget hearings with the member agencies. It is a very through and just process which is truly volunteer driven. The volunteers recommend to our Board of Trustees the allocations for the agencies.
The money you donate addresses critical issues in the Santa Cruz County community. It is distributed as pictured below:
When I designatate my gift in September, why don't I get a thank you letter from the agency until the next July?
Our campaign season ends officiallly on March 31st. After all campaign results are in countywide, the donor choice slips are processed through June 30th and the agencies are sent a letter to acknowledge the donor designations. This saves money, processing time and postage to mail the donor choice designations just once.
Some United Way Member Agencies charge for services. Why should I give?
United Way funding is only one of a variety of funding sources our agencies have to utilize. Maintaining professional staff such as counselors, social workers, nurses, etc. costs money so fees are sometimes necessary. Our Member Agencies that do charge fees usually have a sliding fee scale so that your donations go toward helping those individuals who cannot pay the usual fee. Thus your gift helps make sure that no one has to go without services because of financial difficulties.
Why do you give money to religious organizations?
Our bylaws prohibit us from directly funding any religious organization. If you are refering to Catholic Charities, or Salvation Army, they both provide services to anyone needing help regardless of their religious affilitation.
Why do you not support the environment?
Our mission is to fund health and human service organizations. But if you would like to direct your gift to an environmental organization you can do so through our donor choice pledge form.
Do you have a question that was not answered here? Please direct any general questions to uwstaff@unitedwaysc.org.
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