FAQs

1. Why would I give to United Way when I can give directly to an agency?

The power of your gift, combined with the gifts of others, is far greater than the power of your gift alone. Unless you make a major gift of tens of thousands of dollars, your gift can't fund a program; but when leveraged with the gifts of others through United Way, it can. We give because we want to help those in need. But step back for a moment to see the big picture.

If you give money to a panhandler on the street, you might help buy a single meal.
If you donate money to a single agency, you might help to address a single issue.
If you invest in United Way, your gift supports the combined efforts of a network of programs that provide the most comprehensive care for an individual or family in need, and helps solve a range of community-wide problems such as homelessness, unemployment, and lack of job skills.

2. What does my donation support?

Strategic partnerships to implement long-term, sustainable solutions for Saskatoon’s complex social issues.

United Way of Saskatoon and Area along with senior managers from government, school boards, the Police Service, the health region and the City are working together to ensure seamless system of services that help people and are working across sectors to address issues such as employment, crime, poverty, housing, etc.

A network of effective agency programs and services supported and held accountable by United Way.

United Way brings together partners from all sectors, identifying ways to work together more effectively, creating the best solutions to community issues.

Some examples:

United Way is co-leading a collaborative strategy to address rising poverty in our community

United Way is leading the charge to bring 211 to Saskatchewan to improve access to current services and to reduce duplication and identify gaps in service

United Way is co-leading a group of local funders to collaborate on funding non-profit groups. By working together we can eliminate duplicate funding efforts and focus on funding current gaps in programs and services

Volunteer Saskatoon provides support, training and volunteer recruitment assistance for volunteer groups in Saskatoon

In 2010, over $4.3M went to support our community through United Way funding, programs and services. The investment details are as follows:

$2.65 M invested in United Way funded agencies

$147,000 to local community programs

$763,786 directed to charitable organizations by United Way on behalf of donors

$638,576 to community services provided by United Way such as advancing 211, leading collaborative poverty work and other capacity building projects

$118,894 to Volunteer Saskatoon

3. How much of my donation does United Way of Saskatoon and Area use for fundraising and administration costs?

Fundraising costs for our 2010 Community Campaign were 15.6%. Our 2011 annual campaign costs are expected to be in the similar range to previous years.
As a registered Canadian charity, United Way is obliged to file a T3010 report with CRA annually, detailing all of its fundraising, administration, executive compensation and other costs. The latest CRA T3010 data can be found at www.cra-arc.gc.ca
Every dollar donated and every dollar spent is accounted for in our independently audited financial statements contained in our annual report.

4. How does United Way keep costs down?

United Way’s costs remain low for many reasons, such as:

The contributions of over 1,000 highly-skilled volunteers
Our ability to maximize efficiencies and implement economies of scale that smaller organizations cannot
Our ability to leverage over 50 years of proven history, strong reputation and high profile to receive pro-bono and discounted rates on some services, such as advertising and associated collateral
Where we must purchase costs like any other business or organization, we strive to get the best possible price for the service we need, for example:

Regular tenders are sought for insurance (including Directors Liability Insurance) and banking.

Some examples:

Each year local businesses and organizations “loan” United Way skilled employees to help with the annual campaign. These organizations continue to compensate the employees during their time at United Way. For 2010, this gift is estimated to be over $120,000.
In partnership with five other non-profit agencies, United Way shares space in the Saskatoon Community Service Village. Through this collaboration, our lease costs are well-below market rates. As well, we share such things as board rooms, meeting spaces and office equipment that also help to keep costs low.
Year in and year out, the United Way counts on gifts-in-kind from our local media. These gifts amount to $100,000’s of dollars in free advertising to United Way.
All United Way events such as Dinner Date and our Achievement Event are ticketed. Costs of these events are either covered by the ticket purchase price or by sponsors.
Each year the labour costs required to hang our United Way banners is donated by IBEW Local 319.
We collaborated with United Ways across North America to develop our fundraising database (Rainbow) which greatly reduced our costs to purchase software and technology support and at the same time greatly increased our efficiency and effectiveness of managing our donor base. Our donor base keeps track of such things as 14,000 individual donors and their transactions - payment on pledges, receipting, current address and workplace, to name a few data points.

5. How is United Way of Saskatoon and Area’s transparency & fiscal accountability monitored?

In many ways:

Management, staff and volunteer vigilance to maximize community impact with donated dollars
Our volunteer Board of Directors conduct regular, in-depth reviews of United Way’s financial and community investment performance
United Way of Saskatoon and Area is part of United Way Centraide-Canada and follows internal Transparency, Accountability and Financial Reporting (TAFR) guidelines which are intended to be defendable, acceptable, consistent, transparent and simple in providing standardized reporting by United Ways across Canada.
The accounting firm KPMG LLP ensures that our financial statements are accurate and we operate in a fiscally responsible manner. Our audited financial statements can be accessed on our website under Accountability.
United Way of Saskatoon and Area’s annual T3010 filing with Canada Revenue Agency with all required financial and other disclosures can be found on the CRA website www.cra-arc.gc.ca.

6. How much is United Way staff paid?

All salaries at United Way of Saskatoon and Area, including senior management, are benchmarked against other Canadian non-profit organizations of similar size and scope in Saskatoon and throughout Canada.

United Way of Saskatoon and Area is in compliance with the required T3010 regulatory reporting to Canada Revenue Agency for its executive compensation, which can be viewed at www.cra-arc.gc.ca.

7. What are the options with the United Way system of giving?

These choices allow you to consolidate all of your charitable giving through United Way.

Give to the Community Fund and your investment will produce positive, meaningful outcomes today through the Community Investment Process.
Give to any registered Canadian charity through our Donor Directed Giving Program.
Give a one-time donation, monthly, quarterly or through your employer's payroll deduction program.

8. Does organized labour support United Way?

Yes. In fact, in Saskatoon, organized labour was a founding partner of United Way. Unions and their members support the United Way community campaign through volunteering and contributing to workplace campaigns, writing endorsement letters and promoting United Way efforts. Locals also host many United Way training events and meetings at their offices.

9. Why aren't all agencies a part of United Way?

Agencies are encouraged to apply for United Way funding, however the number of agencies or programs receiving funds depends on campaign dollars raised. In addition, some agencies choose not to apply for funding.

10. How does United Way protect my privacy? Does United of Saskatoon sell their donor information?

United Way of Saskatoon is committed to protecting your privacy. We do not sell or trade donor information. We take every step to ensure the confidentiality of your information is maintained. The information you or your employer provides to us is used to help us in our campaign to process and receipt your donation and respond to any of your information requests. For a full copy of United Way of Saskatoon's privacy policy, please call 975-7700.

11. Why should I give? I never use agency programs.

Your support ensures that you, your loved ones, and your neighbours have help when it is needed. Your gift to United Way is an investment in the quality of life in the community where we live, work, raise our families, and retire. Your donation will reach one in four people in Saskatoon; one of three is a child. Chances are some one you know has benefited from the work of a United Way funded agency. Sometimes, no matter how carefully we plan or how close our family is, a crisis or accident could mean we may need one or more of the United Way agencies to help get back on track.

12. How do I benefit by giving to United Way of Saskatoon?

You can be assured that you are part of a community-wide effort to make life better for all. Your money is invested well and will reach people in need right here in our community. You can feel especially good because you are part of a community-wide effort to make life better by investing in sustainable solutions to the root causes of issues.