Donor Designation Policy

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UNITED WAY POLICY: Approved by Board of Directors May 4, 2006

DONOR DESIGNATION POLICY

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Policy on Donor Designations is to establish guidelines for donors that will align with United Way of Greater Stark County’s Strategic Plan. The Policy was developed to encourage growth in United Way’s mission while still respecting the donor’s choice.

II. STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING

Previously, donors were able to donate through United Way of Greater Stark County to any 501(c)(3) organization. In 2005, designations accounted for more than 11% of the overall campaign. The Donor Designation committee, comprised of volunteers, representatives from area businesses and United Way staff members began meeting in early 2006 to review the policy and make recommendations to better align it with the agency’s Strategic Plan. The Donor Designation committee will continue to monitor the status of donor designation trends and annually review the policy.

III. POLICY

• Donations can be designated to a United Way Impact Area, a specific United Way service provider, United Way Vision Council approved Initiative, other United Ways or any health or human service 501(c)(3) organization.
• Designations to a non-United Way health or human service providers:
• Total annual donation through United Way must be a minimum of $120.
• Number of designations is not limited.
• Designations exclude civic (i.e. Rotary, Lions Club), religious (i.e. synagogue, church), educational (i.e. school, university) or art-related (i.e. symphony, art museum) organizations.*
• Non-United Way health or human service providers will be required to submit a certified, signed copy of the Patriot Act agreement, a current 990 form, a copy of 501(c)(3) status, and must complete a United Way of Greater Stark County overview sheet in order to receive the donation.
• Any donations to United Way and its service providers are treated as first-in dollars. Total donor donations that exceed the allocated amount to an agency will be given in addition to that specific agency’s allocation.
• Leadership level donors will be recognized for the total amount given.
• United Way will accept designations that may exclude specific impact areas or service providers.  A 13% administrative fee will be deducted from each non-United Way designation. The same fee will be assessed to any donation to another United Way with which United Way of Greater Stark County does not have a reciprocal agreement.
• The Alexis de Tocqueville Society will continue to recommend to members that 50% of their gift should be given to United Way, United Way Impact Area, a specific United Way service provider, United Way Vision Council approved Initiative or other United Ways.
• Donors will be eligible for the Caring Club card after giving $120 gift to United Way, an Impact Area, specific United Way provider, United Way Initiative or other United Way.

* Religious designations will be accepted if the designation is to a direct health and human service program within the church, i.e., soup kitchen. Unrestricted designations to a general fund are not permitted.

IV. EXCEPTION

Donations that do not correspond with this policy will be addressed on an individual basis through personal, phone or written communication between the individual donor, donor company and/or United Way of Greater Stark County.