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Donor Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does UWCNM do?
United Way of Central New Mexico, founded in 1934 as the Albuquerque Community Chest, is the way a community helps itself. It has operated since that time as an organization run by local volunteers whose purpose is to build a stronger community through the efforts of a diverse group of volunteers and donors. We do this in several ways. We serve as a convener, bringing together innovative partnerships between businesses, nonprofits, government and others to create better solutions to our community's human service problems. We are the largest private human service fundraisers in the state of New Mexico, allocating human service grants through our volunteer review process, and accepting and distributing donor gifts to the nonprofits of their choice. We offer many volunteer opportunities for people to engage themselves in their community and we are the best source of human service information in central New Mexico. United Way exists to "Make it easier for neighbors to give to help those most vulnerable." It's the best way to set a human care agenda for our community and work together to carry it out.

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What is UWCNM's Privacy Policy For This Web Site?
We have the utmost respect for your privacy. Our privacy policy is simple and straightforward: Any information you provide to United Way of Central New Mexico, through this site or any other means, will remain private and will not be shared with any other company or organization unless you specifically give us permission to do so.

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Is this United Way part of United Way of America?
United Way of Central New Mexico is, and always has been, a local organization. In fact, all local United Way's across the US are local organizations run by local volunteers. For each of those 1,100 United Ways, United Way of America serves as a trade association. It is similar to a teachers association, plumbers association, or a medical association. We affiliated with United Way of America in 1972. United Way of America provides us with training opportunities, research information and national advertising. For these services we pay them a membership fee, which, at our United Way is paid by Corporate Cornerstone gifts, not by individual donors. United Way of America has no administrative control over United Way of Central New Mexico, nor do we control what they do. We are NOT a local chapter of a national organization. We are a local organization.

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Why should I give to United Way rather than directly to an organization of my choice?
Giving is a personal decision. You should give your donations where you feel it will be put to the best use. We would like you to consider a donation to United Way of Central New Mexico. There are compelling reasons why a gift to United Way is the best way to help the most people.

  1. 100% of donations will be distributed to the people who need it most. Thanks to our Corporate Cornerstones Program, our low administrative cost [12.7%] has been underwritten through corporate gifts. That means 100% of your donation to the Community Fund will go to help people right here in central New Mexico. If you give to a specific organization, 100% of that donation will go to that organization. No administrative cost is deducted. That means, through payroll deduction you can give more throughout the year than you could give at one time. United Way and its Corporate Cornerstone Partners have made giving easier for all of us. This innovative idea is the creation of United Way of Central New Mexico.
  2. Comprehensive solutions to complex human problems – You want your money to go where it will do the most good. Every human service agency relies on other agencies. No one agency stands completely alone. United Way is the only way to make sure that a network of quality human services exists for the people, right here in central New Mexico, who are trying to change their lives for the better. We call it the Community Fund. We believe that if you examine all of the alternatives, you will find that United Way is the best way to help the most people.
  3. Donors decide. Each year 300 volunteers provide a rigorous, informed, and fair review for programs that seek United Way funding. Programs are examined for need, for efficiency and effectiveness, and for financial accountability. This process, unique to United Way, provides quality assurance on behalf of all donors. As a service to the donor, those who wish may designate all or part of their gift to any 501(c) 3 human service agency, program, or federated campaign. In either case, the donors decide. Any donor is welcome to participate on the citizen review panels. You could be one of those volunteers by clicking here to sign up online or by calling 247-3671 for further information.
  4. The money raised here stays here. All of the money given to United Way of Central New Mexico stays in Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance and Valencia Counties unless designated by donors to nonprofits outside of our community. 100% of Community Fund Grants stay in central New Mexico. Out of all designated gifts by donors last year, over 87% stayed in central New Mexico with another 3% staying in New Mexico. Less than 10% left the state.
  5. Payroll deduction makes it easy. Payroll deduction makes it possible for each of us to give a little at a time. By sharing a little bit of each paycheck each one of us can give much more than we could if we had to do it all at once. United Way accepts many forms of payment including credit cards, bill for payment, checks, cash, as well as stock. For more information email Lisa Pillar.
  6. Money back guarantee: Contributions to the United Way Community Fund are backed by a money back guarantee. If you are not satisfied, you can request a refund by calling us at 247-3671.
  7. Open funding process: All nonprofit, human service organizations in Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance and Valencia Counties are eligible to apply for Community Fund allocations, called Priority Focus Area Grants.

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Who decides where the money goes?
Volunteers. Each year 300 volunteers personally visit agencies who have applied for United Way funding. Their reports and recommendations are the basis for United Way funding decisions. Any donor is welcome to participate on the citizen review panels. Call 247-3671 for further information.

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Why should I give if I don't need help?
United Way helps people from all walks of life. Many of us mistakenly believe that charitable giving is designed to help only the poorest people in our community. While poverty makes most problems worse, low income people are not the only people who need help. Domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, disabilities and illness know no geographic or economic boundaries. The loss of a job or a serious accident or illness could put any one of us at risk. In fact, tens of thousands of central New Mexicans are already using services funded by United Way. That means even if you haven't used these services, someone you know has. In America, even more so than in other countries, we help our neighbors. We believe in the common good. We want to be the neighbor we want to have. You should give because it feels good and because is the right thing to do. We invite you to do that through United Way of Central New Mexico.

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I know someone who asked for help from United Way and didn't get it. Why?
Most problems that people encounter can be addressed by local agencies. People who call us are connected to our in-house Information & Referral Service called "United Way 211." We are the best source of information on where and how to get help. We maintain information on all human services in central New Mexico whether or not they receive United Way funding. However, sometimes people ask for services that do not exist here in central New Mexico. Often that is because of inadequate funding. When there is a limited amount of money to go around, we need to make sure that core services are funded first. Sometimes that means some needs go unmet. In most situations, help is available.

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What is United Way's position on pro-life vs. pro-choice debate? Where do you stand on gun control?
United Way of Central New Mexico is NOT a political organization. We have a very specific Social Action (Social Change) Policy that answers questions like this: Our mission is: "Helping Those Most Vulnerable." To fulfill that mission, United Way of Central New Mexico: * Helps people by meeting needs * Responds to social needs, but does not advocate social change * Brings people together to address needs and issues that are supported by the majority of the community At UWCNM, we are in the passion building business. We believe that people should be able to direct their donations to those issues and organizations which matter most to them. Yet, within our community and throughout the country there are, and will continue to be, social change issues about which people have a serious division of opinions. To address this dilemma, UWCNM has developed this Social Action Policy. Donors may individually designate their gifts to any nonprofit organization, anywhere in the world. This enables donors to fund their passions, whatever those passions may be. However, within the Community Fund, where donations are a mix of funds from multiple donors, United Way cannot and should not fund programs which side with one set of donors over another. United Way of Central New Mexico, through its Community Fund, is in the role of meeting existing/emerging needs, not in advocating for or aligning with social change issues. Because some issues are divisive, when agencies/groups in our community deal with emotional social change issues and vie for the public's interest to win support for their views, United Way has a responsibility to clearly step away from that arena. There is a distinct difference between advocating a social change philosophy and evaluating and funding needed critical services. One concerns itself with a judgment as to moral right and wrong, while the other concerns itself only with helping people. United Way's only purpose is to help people. United Way performs its role by enlisting community support, raising needed funds and then distributing those funds through a local citizen review process to participating charities. For United Way to enter such arenas of controversy would not do justice to United Way's multiple participating charities that depend on United Way to raise funds to support critical services for people in need. Our role is to bring people together to improve our community. To invite controversy into the Community Fund is to risk the very existence of this important fund. Since donors can direct their donations to any nonprofit in the world, it is better to leave the Community Fund to do the work of helping the most vulnerable people in central New Mexico. The Community Fund is the only service at United Way that is affected by the Social Action Policy. All other services [agency designations, 2-1-1/ Information & Referral, Gifts in Kind, services offered by The Center for Nonprofit Excellence, etc.] are available to all central New Mexico nonprofit organizations. It is United Way's intent to continue to take an aggressive and active leadership role in solving our community's most pressing social service problems. That role is one of facilitator, mediator, fund provider, and initiator of new services and solutions. Regardless of individual positions on social change issues which will always be present, United Way invites all to join together in a cooperative effort "To Help Our Community Help Itself" and never allow this United Way to be pulled into any social change controversy that should and must be resolved elsewhere.

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What is UWCNM's Non-Discrimination Policy?
United Way of Central New Mexico and agencies receiving UWCNM Community Fund dollars must adhere to laws which provide equal opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, citizenship status or any other protected classification. These laws require equal treatment of employees in recruiting, hiring, training, advancement, compensation, benefits or any other conditions of employment. In addition, the spirit of these laws extends to program services funded by United Way of Central New Mexico's Community Fund.

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How do designated donations affect funding levels?
Donor designated contributions have no effect on the amount of funding received by a participating organization through the allocation process. The allocation of funds to participating agencies is decided by a group of 300 volunteers each year. These volunteers are not given access to information about how much has been designated to each agency by donors. This is purposeful. If we did share that information with the volunteers, it would have the effect of circumventing the wishes of the donor. That is why we send designated contributions to the agency identified by the donor and do not share that information with the volunteers who decide where undesignated donations should be allocated.

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Why doesn't United Way fund organizations that help animals or the environment?
United Way exists to raise and distribute funds to help solve human problems. There are people in this community who are hungry, homeless, disabled, illiterate, battered or neglected. While we regret that there are animals who are also mistreated and environmental issues that need attention that is not our primary mission. As a United Way donor, you can designate your gift to any 501(c) 3 organization in the world. We will forward your gift as a service to you at no cost, thanks to our Corporate Cornerstone Companies. This includes gifts to organizations who are not human service providers. Organizations providing therapeutic interaction between animals and people have been funded over the last few funding cycles as part of our open, competitive Community Fund grant process.

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What happened a while back with the national United Way guy who took money, Bill Aramony?
Many people still mistakenly believe that local United Way's are chapters of United Way of America. That is not true nor has it ever been true. Each local United Way is, and has always been, run by local volunteers. Each United Way raises money locally and distributes that money to fund local programs that help people in their communities. United Way of Central New Mexico was founded in 1934 as the Albuquerque Community Chest. Since that time local volunteers have run the organization for the sole benefit of the people of this community. Bill Aramony did more to harm local communities than can be easily measured. In 1992 he was President of United Way of America, a national trade association for 1,100 local United Ways across America. He was fired and later convicted of misusing national funds for his personal benefit. He was sent to prison for 7 years and was released in September 2001. Though none of the misused funds came from our community, unfortunately, local United Ways continue to suffer because of Aramony's illegal activity with United Way of America [UWA]. One of the positive things that came out of that negative experience was that local United Ways were given more representation on the UWA Board of Governors. In 1999, for the very first time ever, United Way of Central New Mexico had a representative on the UWA Board of Governors: Sherman McCorkle, President of Technology Ventures Corporation. Currently, Don Chalmers, of Don Chalmers Ford in Rio Rancho, serves on the national Alexis de Tocqueville Advisory Board and Kathleen Avila, of Avila Retail in Albuquerque, serves on the national Women in Philanthropy Advisory Board.

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What is "United Way 211?"
Need help? Want to help others? Call United Way 211 at 245-1735 or access the online database. United Way of Central New Mexico is the best source of information on where you can get the services you, or someone you know, might need.

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Is United Way aware that some employers force employees to give to the United Way campaign?
Yes, and it is wrong. Thankfully, fewer companies are doing that. Your giving to United Way is strictly voluntary. We strongly discourage coercion in our volunteer training program and in our printed materials and electronically transmitted messages and point out that coercion creates more problems than it solves. We believe that information and education about how United Way serves the community are the best ways to encourage contributions.

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Does United Way Fund the Boy Scouts?
In June 2000 the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the Boy Scouts of America's right to disallow gay men as leaders of scout troops. What effect did this decision have on United Way of Central New Mexico's funding of the Boy Scouts of America, Great Southwest Council, a United Way Participating Organization? There is a popular misconception that United Way is a national organization with local chapters across the United States. This is not the case. Each of the 1,100 local United Ways in the U.S. is governed entirely by local volunteers. The money raised locally, stays in the local community. All decisions, including policy and funding decisions, are made locally. Of those 1,100 local United Ways across the United States 23 that we know of have chosen to de-fund their local Boy Scout Councils. United Way of Central New Mexico is not one of them. UWCNM exists to bring people together to help those most vulnerable. It is not our place to take sides in controversies which divide our community. The Executive Committee of the United Way of Central New Mexico met to discuss the Supreme Court decision in July 2000 and subsequently sent representatives to meet with leaders of the local Boy Scout Council staff and Board. The following conclusions were made: * The Boy Scouts of America, Great Southwest Council has received funding from United Way of Central New Mexico since 1934. In those years funding levels have varied based on the recommendations of the volunteers who annually examine agencies for need, effectiveness and accountability. This review is completed for each agency receiving United Way funding. Representatives of United Way of Central New Mexico's Board of Directors and the Boy Scouts of America, Great Southwest Council met on August 31, 2000 to discuss what effect, the June 2000 US Supreme Court decision had on local BSA programs funded by United Way of Central New Mexico. A summary of the information gathered at that meeting follows. Boy Scouts of America provide their programs nationwide through several institutional sponsors. These groups include churches, PTA, service clubs, etc. On a local level, these sponsors are responsible for choosing local troop leaders. The Boy Scouts do not want to hold openly gay adult men up as role models, however, they are not interested in denigrating homosexuals and they do not do so in their programs. They said their interest and concern centers on sexual responsibility not sexual orientation. The local leadership of the Boy Scouts used this analogy: Girl Scouts restrict their troop leaders to women because they want girls to emulate women in leadership positions. Girl Scouts do not denigrate men. By this same logic, according to the Boy Scouts, they want their troop leaders to embody the organization's "traditional" values. Men who actively espouse homosexuality as a lifestyle would, therefore, be promoting values that are inconsistent with those of the Boy Scouts. The recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling confirmed the right of the Boy Scouts to do this according to the Constitutional right to association. United Way, as a funding source, was particularly interested in the pertinent materials given to scouts and to scout leaders on this subject. After reviewing the materials we were satisfied that tolerance was being actively taught through the Boy Scouts. "By their own example and through encouragement from others, Scout leaders can steer Scouts away from vulgar jokes, disrespectful skits, inappropriate literature (which should be destroyed without a "display"), or other forms of negativity that denigrate people based upon their gender or sexuality. Such behavior is not in keeping with the Scout Oath and Law and should not be tolerated in a troop." From The Scoutmaster Handbook, Boy Scouts of America No messages of intolerance, including intolerance of homosexuals, were evident. Beyond that, we reviewed the particular local Boy Scout programs funded by United Way of Central New Mexico and found the programs provided significant value to local boys at risk. * Donors who wish to exclude a specific agency when giving to the Community Fund may do so. These donors should indicate the agency to be excluded on their pledge form. Their donation will be handled separately to insure that the integrity of their wishes is preserved. * Funding decisions for United Way Participating Agencies were already made by the time of the June 2000 US Supreme Court decision. During that process, the Boy Scouts of America, Great Southwest Council had complied with all funding requirements as a United Way Participating Agency. Therefore, there were no changes in their program funding. To see current funding for Boy Scouts of America, Great Southwest Council, please click here. Funding for all United Way Participating Agencies are done on an annual basis. Out of 1,100 local United Way organizations the following, as of a few years ago, had de-funded their local Boy Scout Chapters. [Communities may have been added or removed in the intervening years. Go to the national Boy Scout site for further information]. San Francisco, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz, CA; New Haven, CT; Branford, CT; Santa Fe, NM; Somerville, NJ and Portland, ME; Fall River, MA; Providence, RI; Ithaca, NY; Evanston, IL; Bloomington, IN; Corvallis, OR; Hackensack, NJ; Newark, NJ; Westport, CT; Duluth, MN; Palm Beach County, FL; Broward County, FL; Holland, MI., Everett, WA., & Keene, NH.

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