About United Way
To purchase a copy of the Community Services Directory, please contact the United Way office. Cost is $6.00. Or, click
here to download a printable copy of the directory in MS Word format.
Contact Us
United Way of Denton County625 Dallas Drive, Suite 525
Denton, Texas 76205
940-566-5851 voice
940-898-8976 fax
email us
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
2. Will I ever use United Way services?
3. What does the United Way do?
4. Why should I give to the United Way?
6. My spouse gives—why should I?
7. Why are people forced into giving?
8. Why should I give to United Way when I give to my church?
9. Why not give directly to the program providers?
10. Why does the United Way give money to a few agencies only?
11. I pay taxes—why should I give?
12. May I give directly to my favorite agency?
13. Who decides how my contribution is spent and if it is used wisely?
14. How much money goes to the agencies?
15. How does United Way respond to new needs of the community?
16. Who manages the United Way?
17. How much of the funds raised by United Way are used for administrative costs?
18. Does the United Way of Denton County send money to United Way of America to fund national agencies?
19. Do United Way agencies charge a fee for using some services?
20. How does an agency become a United Way funded agency?
21. Why are some agencies religiously affiliated?
22. Does the United Way of Denton County support the Boy Scouts program?
23. Does the United Way of Denton County fund Planned Parenthood or abortion services?
24. Does the United Way of Denton County distribute money to programs outside their family of agencies?
1. Where can I go for help?
Call the Information & Referral Line -- 940-566-2688. The United Way of Denton County maintains this line Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. A staff person will ask about your particular circumstances and make a referral of one or more agencies that will be able to assist you. There are approximately 250 public and private organizations that provide services to residents of Denton County. These organizations are also available in a hardcopy book that can be purchased at the United Way office.
2. Will I ever use United Way services?United Way helps everyone. It is a popular misconception that only the jobless and "at risk" people seek help from United Way's family of agencies. However, you never know when you, a member of your family or a neighbor may need the help of a United Way funded program. Services cover referrals for marital problems, family violence, troubled teens, child care, job loss, disasters, illness, disabilities, loss of a loved one, and the problems of growing older. Whatever the need, United Way and its partner agencies are there to help.
3. What does the United Way do?
- Provides a community with leadership in addressing the needs of the community.
- Recruits and trains a diverse community volunteer base.
- Raises money.
- Evaluates agencies' programs.
- Distributes money to social service agencies.
- Brings organizations and individuals together to study and address needs.
- Provides research data on human service needs and issues.
- Brings service providers together to share experiences, concerns and best practices.
- Trains and advises agency boards and staff.
- Serves as an advocate for health and human services.
4. Why should I give to the United Way?
- It's local. Funds raised in the area stay here to address local problems.
- Your gift goes to help people who really need it.
- It's accountable. Volunteers decide which programs receive funds, and ensure that services are high quality and meet the community's greatest needs.
- It's efficient. Volunteers help conduct the campaign to keep costs low.
- It's easy. Giving is simple - options include payroll deduction, Visa, Master Card and bank draft.
- It feels good!
It is true that some individuals may not be in a position to give because of their current financial situation. However, many of us have made charitable contributions a priority in our budgets. The payroll deduction method gives us an easy way to give a little each month making it possible to help a lot on an annual basis. One dollar a week is $52 a year. That is the cost of one soft drink per week!
6. My spouse gives - why should I?Contributors are asked to give according to the United Way Giving Guide that uses an individual's annual wage to determine the level of giving. When families are fortunate to have two incomes, each contributes at his or her own place of employment.
7. Why are people forced into giving?The United Way has always supported the concept of "voluntary giving." Occasionally companies or volunteers will get so enthusiastic about their role in helping the United Way that they might appear to be pressuring employees to give. United Way stresses the importance of voluntary giving and discourages "coercion" of any kind.
8. Why should I give to United Way when I give to my church?One of the things we have observed in working for the United Way is that "givers" are givers to many things. It is very common for strong supporters of United Way services to also be very involved in churches or organizations outside the United Way. Perhaps it is because these are the people who are most keenly aware of the needs of people and want to help even if the gift is small. How much you can afford to give, and to whom, is a very personal decision that only you can make. As much as our local churches try to assist the community, they are not equipped to serve all the needs in our community.
9. Why not give directly to the program providers?Giving through the United Way reduces the number of costly and time-consuming community fundraising efforts. The agencies can spend more time helping others. Also, giving to the Community Care Fund is similar to a mutual fund where your money goes into a variety of investment opportunities. In the same way, you give your money to the United Way's Community Care Fund that allows you to invest in a program of services that covers a wide scope of community problems.
10. Why does the United Way give money to a few agencies only?The United Way looks at the communities' needs as a whole. The organization's volunteers make informed decisions about funding the necessary programs within the family of agencies. The opportunity to become a United Way partner agency is available to non-profits providing the criteria is met.
11. I pay taxes - why should I give?Your tax dollars do help support many social services in this community. Unfortunately, we have seen dramatic reductions in federal and state support of social services over the past ten years and we expect this trend to continue. Local services are perceived to be the responsibility of the local community. That is why we need your help to continue services.
12. May I give directly to my favorite agency?Many people have a favorite agency. However United Way believes in the concept of investing in a federation of agencies to ensure a variety of services are available regardless of their public popularity. If you choose to designate, you may write the name of the agency on United Way's pledge form.
13. Who decides how my contribution is spent and if it is used wisely?Volunteers from all walks of life in the Denton area make decisions about the amount of money that is provided to each agency. These 75 volunteers make visits to the agencies, review the programs on an annual basis, study financial reports and evaluate how well the agencies accomplished their purpose with United Way dollars.
14. How much money goes to the agencies?United Way of Denton County has twenty-four partner agencies in 2007-2008 and is distributing a total of $1.37 million for the fiscal year.
15. How does United Way respond to the new needs of the community?With its ties to the social service community United Way is aware of the emerging needs of Denton County. United Way looks at a problem, makes appropriate assessments, and follows through with action. To read a success story, click here to read about the People's Clinic (link).
16. How much of the funds raised by United Way are used for administrative costs?
It costs approximately 8 % of the total budget to operate the United Way of Denton County.
17. Who manages the United Way?The United Way of Denton County is governed by a local volunteer board of directors which oversees the policies, activities and procedures of the organization. The board is a diverse group in race, gender, occupation, interests, and philosophy. A staff of six handles the United Way's daily operations and work closely with volunteers at all levels.
18. Does the United Way of Denton County send money to United Way of America to fund national agencies?No. United Way of America does not fund human services programs. United Way of Denton County is an affiliate of the United Way of America (UWA) and that entitles us to use advertising and promotional materials and services developed by the UWA to support our local effort. United Way of Denton County pays 1% in dues for these services.
19. Do United Way agencies charge a fee for using some services?Yes. United Way funds can provide only a portion of the money needed by program providers to render their services. Sliding scale fees are charged in some cases to offer services to more people.
20. Why are some agencies religiously-affiliated?Although United Way prohibits the direct support of churches, it does allow assistance to religiously-affiliated organizations that are providing health and human services to the community.
21. How does an agency become a United Way funded agency?
- Call the United Way of Denton County to ask about the admission process (950-566-5851)
- Must be a non-profit organization with a 501 © (3) status
- Must have the organization's administration and fundraising costs under 25%
- Maintain a volunteer board of directors of at least 12 people
- Conduct an annual outside audit or financial review if agency is under $100,000 and file a 990
United Way has high standards for admission and wants to ensure that services funded by United Way dollars are efficient and effective.
22. Does the United Way of Denton County support the Boy Scouts program?Yes. United Way of Denton County financially supports several local programs offered by the Boy Scouts of America.
23. Does the United Way of Denton County fund Planned Parenthood or abortion services?No. At every local United Way, the board of directors votes to either support or reject agencies applying for membership status. No agency that provides abortion services has applied to be an agency of United Way of Denton County.
24. Does the United Way of Denton County distribute money to programs outside their family of agencies?Yes. Some money is set aside annually to address critical emerging needs. Two priority areas currently receiving funds are Healthy Communities, a program to develop better access to health care, and the Financial Stability Patnership. For more information on United Way of Denton County Initiatives and programs, call 940-566-5851 x 105 or email leah@unitedwaydenton.org.
