OUR PRINCIPLES:

United Way of Greater Lorain County offers investors the opportunity to designate their donations to support a wide variety of community initiatives within and outside of Greater Lorain County, Ohio. (All of Lorain County and Vermilion and Florence Townships in Erie County, Ohio)

Each investor’s gift is invested in the community, offering a hand to those in need and influencing the condition of all. Measuring results and verifying outcomes of such investments demonstrates accountability for the effective use of these contributions. Thus, each investment achieves the greatest benefit possible.

OUR PRIORITIES:

With a focus on community needs and a strong connection to the people in Greater Lorain County, United Way of Greater Lorain County follows the Community Impact Model. This model allows for systematic, life-changing programs to impact Lorain County residents in the areas of Education, Income, Health and Basic Needs. With the understanding that each focus area impacts the viability of the other three focus areas and the overall success of each individual in Lorain County, United Way looks to holistic, people-centered programming to build up each resident, each community, each population in Lorain County.

HOW WE INVEST DOLLARS RAISED:

One of the many strengths of the United Way system is the investment process by which volunteers distribute the resources generated by United Way of Greater Lorain County. Our local Board of Trustees make investments in partnerships that hold the most promise for creating long-lasting, sustainable improvement in community conditions.

The United Way Board of Trustees is assisted by Education, Income and Health Impact Advisory Councils in establishing the vision and strategic direction of UWGLC (i.e., prioritization of results to be achieved in improving lives and lasting community change) and the United Way Executive Director in developing the strategies and tactics, mobilizing the resources (including financial, people, knowledge, goods, relationships and technology) and implementing the actions and investments (distributing funds, research, public policy advocacy, public education, technology, collaboration, deploying paid staff and recruiting volunteers) that will achieve the expected results.

United Way of Greater Lorain County is currently powers 9 Community Collaboratives targeting our areas of impact in Youth Opportunity, Healthy Community, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency. United Way of Greater Lorain County provides funding for other community initiatives that have been deemed a priority by the organization; including Lorain County Free Tax Prep, United We Sweat, and the 211/First Call for Help Information and Referral Service.

DESIGNATIONS:

Donors have the opportunity to designate their contribution to a number of initiatives and agencies. Donors do not have to designate their funds to only one receiving agency. United Way of Greater Lorain County provides the opportunity to designate individual gifts in accordance with the desires of the donor and the following allowed designation types:

• United Way of Greater Lorain County Impact Areas of Youth Opportunity, Healthy Community, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency
• Lorain County Free Tax Prep, United We Sweat, Transportation & Mobility Management
• Other United Way's
• Any agency that qualifies for tax deduction per the Internal Revenue Service in and outside of Lorain County, OH

Donors have the opportunity to designate their contribution to a number of initiatives and agencies. Donors do not have to designate funds to only one receiving agency.

EXAMPLE:

Mary Smith contributes $1,000 to the United Way of Greater Lorain County campaign. Ms. Smith designates 80% of her donation to United Way of Greater Lorain County’s priority areas of Education, Income and Health; 10% of his donation to United Way of Anytown County and 10% to the Lorain County ABC non-profit agency.

DESIGNATED AGENCY REQUIREMENTS:

In order to receive designations, the designated agency must provide to United Way of Greater Lorain County:

• Documentation from the Internal Revenue Service of tax deduction eligibility
• Anti-Terrorism Compliance Certification
• Electronic Funds Transfer Authorization Form

PROCESSING FEES:

In compliance with United Way Worldwide’s membership standards, designations will be assessed a fee to cover United Way of Greater Lorain County’s administrative and fundraising costs.

In committing to lasting change in Greater Lorain County, all designations to qualifying agencies in Greater Lorain County will not receive a designation fee. This means that 100% of all funds contributed to the United Way of Greater Lorain County campaign will be contributed to the designated agency!

EXAMPLE:

Joe Jones contributes $1,000 to the United Way of Greater Lorain County campaign. Mr. Jones designates 100% of his funds to XYZ non-profit in Lorain County. All $1,000 will be contributed to XYZ agency. No processing fee will be assessed.

Contributions to qualifying agencies outside of Lorain County will be assessed a processing fee. 

EXAMPLE:

Helen Brown contributes $1,000 to the United Way of Greater Lorain County campaign. Mrs. Brown designates 100% of her funds to ABC non-profit in Any Town USA. Mrs. Brown’s contribution will be subject to a processing fee and thus, ABC non-profit will receive less than Mrs. Brown’s initial $1,000 contribution.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

United Way of Greater Lorain County does not sell, trade, rent, or exchange donor information with any third party for fundraising, marketing, or commercial purposes. 

Employees, volunteers, board members, and service providers are expected to protect confidential information and uphold the privacy standards outlined in this policy. 

COLLECTION AND USE OF DONOR INFORMATION:

United Way of Greater Lorain County collects donor information necessary to process contributions, acknowledge gifts, communicate with supporters, and maintain accurate records. Information collected may include:

• Donor Name
• Donor Mailing Address
• Donor Email Address
• Donor Telephone Number
• Employer Information
• Donation History and Giving Preferences

Donors may request anonymity, modify their communication preferences, or inquire about the use of their information at any time.

DISCLOSURE OF DONOR INFORMATION:

United Way of Greater Lorain County does not share donor information except in the following circumstances:

• Other United Ways - When a contribution is proccessed by another local United Way or when another local United Way serves as the fundraising entity associated with a gift, donor information may be shared as necessary to accurately process, document, and steward the contribution.
• Public Recognition - Donors may be recognized through annual reports, donor societies, event materials, or other publications.
• Legal Requirements - Donor information may be disclosed when required by law, legal process, government regulation, or to protect the rights, prorperty, or safety of the organization and those we serve.

ANONYMOUS GIVING

Upon request, United Way of Greater Lorain County will not disclose a donor’s name, contact information, gift amount, or other identifying information to partner agencies, designated recipient organizations, community partners, volunteers, or the public.

Anonymous donors will not be listed in donor recognition materials, annual reports, event programs, websites, social media, or other public acknowledgements unless permission is expressly granted by the donor.

DATA SECURITY:

United Way of Greater Lorain County maintains appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect donor information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. 

Access to donor information is restricted to United Way of Greater Lorain County staff who require such access to perform their duties.

HOW WE FOSTER BELONGING:

United Way of Greater Lorain County acknowledges and values human differences and aspires to nurture an environment where people feel supported, listened to, and able to do their personal best. 

Valuing differences includes respecting and appreciating each person’s uniqueness related to race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, military status, pregnancy, familial status, genetic information, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity or expression.

WHAT WE BELIEVE:

Every person is entitled to being treated equally and with dignity and respect. All types of discrimination are unacceptable and go against everything United Way, our volunteers, and our partners fight for every day. 

All people of all backgrounds and identities must call out all forms of discrimination and demand its removal from our society; otherwise we are endorsing the status quo and are complicit in the continued abuse that follows. 

OUR ORGANIZATIONAL PLEDGE:

United Way of Greater Lorain County pledges to continue annual cultural humility training for all staff and board members; to continue working with local community leaders to identify and increase our use of BIPOC owned/led vendors; and to offer free cultural humility training to all partners.