United Way
of Whatcom County

Financial Info And Policies

Policy Regarding Designated Gifts

United Way of Whatcom County offers donors the option of designating their contributions to specific agencies, including United Way partner agencies and other 501(c)(3) organizations. 

The minimum designation gift amount is $100 per agency. Designated gifts of less than $100 will be directed to the Community Impact Fund.
  • No administrative fees will be charged on donations designated to other local United Ways
  • All other designated gifts are charged a 12% administrative fee.
United Way of Whatcom County will not share donor information with designated agencies unless requested by the donor. This request can be made via email to [email protected]

In order to be eligible to receive designated funds, each 501(c)(3) organization must be in good standing with the IRS and in compliance with the USA Patriot Act. If an agency does not complete the required paperwork in this regard, their designations will be directed to the Community Impact Fund. 

Donor Privacy Policy

United Way of Whatcom County values the trust its donors and other stakeholders place in the organization and adheres to the highest standards in gathering, using, and safeguarding their information. The information you or your employer provides to us is used to help ensure accurate records, to process and confirm receipt of your donation, and to respond to any of your requests. We do not share donor information outside of our organization apart from workplace representatives who facilitate employee payroll deduction.

We use your information to send acknowledgement of your gift and to provide updates about our work. If you do not wish to receive such communications, you may let us know at any time by contacting the United Way office. In addition, every e-mail you receive from United Way will include instructions on how to unsubscribe.

United Way educates staff, volunteers, and organizations that provide operational or other support services on the importance of protecting the privacy and security of confidential personal and organizational information. All must agree to safeguard your information in strict compliance with our Donor Privacy Policy.

We do not provide donor information to third parties except under the following conditions:

Designations – If a portion of your donation is directed to another United Way or agency, we can provide your name, contact information, and/or the amount of your donation per your request. We do not control the policies of third party organizations or agencies with regard to donor information.

As Required By Law – United Way will release information when we are required to comply with the law.

Should this policy change, we will share updated information on our website. 

Questions about our privacy policy can be directed to [email protected]

Whistleblower Policy

United Way of Whatcom County Confidential Reporting of Financial Impropriety or Misuse of the Organization’s Resources Policy (Whistleblower Policy)

Statement of Purpose
The purpose of the Confidential Reporting of Financial Impropriety or Misuse of the Organization’s Resources Policy is to afford all employees, volunteers, or any other person affiliated with United Way of Whatcom County (hereafter United Way), the opportunity to confidentially report known or suspected financial improprieties or misuse of United Way resources without fear of retaliation.

POLICY

Reporting Known or Suspected Financial Improprieties
Reports of known or suspected financial improprieties on the part of an employee or a volunteer or any other person affiliated with United Way should be made to the Treasurer, who is the Chair of the Finance Committee. The report should be written and made as soon as possible after the events that gave rise to the report. The report should set forth in detail the basis for the individual’s concern of financial impropriety or misuse of resources. The Treasurer shall date and log all written reports of known or suspected financial improprieties or misuse of resources. He/She will also acknowledge receipt of the report and confirm to the “complainant” the matter is under review.

The Treasurer and President/CEO will conduct a preliminary review of the reported situation and determine the appropriate course of action. If the President/CEO or Treasurer is named in the report, the Chair of the Board of Directors will perform all duties the President/CEO or Treasurer would otherwise have performed in a review and investigation of financial impropriety or misuse of resources. If the Treasurer and President/CEO determine a formal investigation should be conducted, the matter will be turned over to the United Way Executive Committee.

If the Treasurer and President/CEO determine that a formal investigation is not necessary, the complainant may report their suspicions to the Chair of the Board. The Board Chair will then determine if further action is necessary.

Investigation
The Treasurer or his/her designee (usually the President/CEO, if the President/CEO was not named in the report), will investigate the matter, meeting separately with all individuals named in the report, and with others who may have knowledge of the facts set forth in the report. United Way will treat all financial impropriety reports, the sources of such reports and their investigation confidentially, recognizing, however, that in the course of investigating and resolving these matters some dissemination of information to others may be necessary and/or appropriate, particularly if legal action ensues.

On completion of the investigation, the Treasurer will report his/her findings and conclusions to the President/CEO and the Executive Committee. Based upon the report by the Treasurer, the Executive Committee will determine if, and in what form and manner, additional action will be taken. As appropriate and as determined by the President/CEO and the Executive Committee, a full report of the incident will be made to the Board of Directors at the next scheduled meeting.

“Appeal” Review
Depending on the circumstances and at the discretion of the Executive Committee, persons implicated in the report and investigation of financial impropriety or misuse of resources may be given the opportunity to meet with the Executive Committee for further review and discussion of the matter. The involved party(s) must submit a written request for review of the matter by the Executive Committee. On completion of the “appeal” review, the person(s) will receive an oral explanation of the conclusions reached and the reasons for those conclusions. Decisions resulting from “appeal” reviews by the Executive Committee will be final.

Non-retaliation
If an individual filed a financial impropriety report in good faith, the individual will not be disciplined or otherwise penalized because of the report, regardless of whether or not the report is sustained. If it appears that a financial impropriety report was not filed in good faith, and the report did not name the President/CEO, disciplinary action may be taken as determined by the President/CEO and/or the Executive Committee. If the report was not filed in good faith and the report named the President/CEO, disciplinary action may be taken as determined by the Executive Committee.

Contact Information
The phone number of the Treasurer will be available upon request.