United Way Campaign

Why Give?

Our promise to you as an investor in United Way is that we will invest in the efforts that get the greatest results.  We will evaluate and reward results, not just effort, and we will report back to you on your return.  We will govern ourselves at the highest degree of accountability and transparency.  All United Ways are required to have a code of ethics as a condition of membership in United Way.  And finally, we pledge to remain one of the most efficient non-profit organizations in the world, working to put the maximum amount of resources into the work that changes peoples’ lives and communities.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT FUND? 

Your gift to the United Way of Allegheny County Impact Fund works like a mutual fund – combined with thousands of others it is invested in 62 of our best agencies (out of 4,000) and hundreds of results-driven programs providing critical services.  View the entire list of Impact Fund agencies at: http://www.unitedwaypittsburgh.org/AboutUs.aspx?id=136.

WHY GIVE TO UNITED WAY’S IMPACT FUND? 

United Way’s Impact Fund is the most effective, efficient way to get help – and critical funds – to the people who need it most.  Here are three reasons why:

1) When you give to the Impact Fund, you make an impact by:

• Reducing risk factors for younger children
• Helping teens and young adults succeed
• Strengthening financial stability for adults and families
• Helping frail elderly and disabled people

2) Your Impact Fund donations work smarter and harder and go to human services:

• Meeting the most critical needs in the community
• Demonstrating measurable results for people in need
• Passing a rigorous review by business volunteers
• Provided by 62 best agencies (out of 4,000) that serve our neighbors in need

3) Your Impact Fund investment generates measurable results.  Thanks to the generosity of tens of thousands of donors, United Way’s Impact Fund is transforming our community by:

• Reducing 50% drop-out rates in some of our toughest high schools
• Expanding innovative after-school programs that have successfully increased reading, math and language skills by more than 50% among targeted high school students
• Preventing violence by working with hundreds of vulnerable youth to provide jobs and training in the most at-risk neighborhoods during the most at-risk times of the year
• Building new and better collaborations so that the 1 in 2 aging seniors that live alone in our County enjoy their later years with health, independence and dignity
• Creating partnerships that build financial stability and help access the millions of dollars available to low-income families through earned income tax credits

WHAT ARE UNITED WAY’S COMMUNITY INITIATIVES?

In 2007, United Way of Allegheny County began to address the issues that a University of Pittsburgh study identified as critical to the health of our region.  With the help of community leaders familiar with our area’s issues, United Way created two Community Initiatives – Motivating Kids to Succeed in School (http://www.unitedwaypittsburgh.org/AboutUs.aspx?id=4056) and Preventing Youth Violence

(http://www.unitedwaypittsburgh.org/AboutUs.aspx?id=4054).

United Way will launch another new Community Initiative in 2008 – Helping Frail Elderly Disabled Adults – aimed at ensuring that vulnerable seniors and adults with disabilities remain safely in the community by accessing necessary home and community-based services.

The Community Initiatives impact critical human needs by selecting high-performing agencies and research-driven programs that align with United Way preferred outcomes.  United Way’s Community Initiatives are supported by direct contributions to the Initiative/s of your choice.