Every year, United Way partners with workplaces, donors and sponsors from across the county to raise money to support critical services in our community. We love getting to connect and hear stories from generous people, many who have personally benefited from United Way funded services. As we enter our annual fundraising season, we want to take some time to do a crash course on all things United Way of Whatcom County. Over the next 7 weeks, we’ll be posting a short United Way 101 blog with quick facts and info on what United Way is, where your dollars go, and how you can get involved. These posts will be a great refresh for seasoned United Way advocates and a helpful introduction for those of you who are new to our organization.
What is United Way?
United Way is a part of a global organization with a hyper-local focus. 95% of communities in the US are served by United Way, and each local United Way works tirelessly to address the specific and unique challenges facing their particular community. While we may share branding and messaging with other United Ways, our work is squarely rooted in the wellbeing of Whatcom County. At United Way of Whatcom County, our focus is helping to alleviate financial instability. We know that financial instability is an extremely complex issue that often requires multiple solutions. Our team is dedicated to funding that solution. United Way of Whatcom County acts like the hub of a wheel, looking at the need facing our community and uniting a diverse network of local nonprofits to help meet that need. According to ALICE data, 45% of Whatcom County struggles to make ends meet. Our goal is to help change that. Our team looks at the broad picture of why folks are struggling financially and funds proven, vetted solutions, ensuring that life-changing resources (from food banks and shelters, to job skills and childcare, and everything in between!) are available to those in need.
Why give to United Way?
- When you give to United Way, you aren’t just giving to one organization. Your gift stays local, supporting more than 20 local nonprofit agencies that are helping to meet basic needs, improve economic mobility, and break the cycle of poverty in our community. With so much hardship facing our friends and neighbors, it can be difficult to know what you can do to make a difference. By supporting United Way, you’re supporting a holistic solution and stretching your dollars as far as they can go to do the most good in our community! Why write 20+ checks when you can write one?
- In addition to our network of agencies, gifts to United Way also support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, an early childhood literacy program funded and run locally by United Way, that sends one book each month to all enrolled kids at no cost to families. This well-loved program has been shown to improve literacy and school readiness.
- We thoroughly vet our funded partners each year, so you can rest assured that your generosity is being put to good use.
- Over 50,000 people in Whatcom County are supported by United Way funded agencies each year. Where else can you give locally to have the same amount of impact?
Key an eye out every Friday for a new United Way 101 blog post.
Inspired to give? Click here to donate to United Way of Whatcom County today!