United way and abortion

[ishii]

Hello, you might call me a “newbie” in that I am rather new to internet chat rooms and forums. What brings me to this forum is my dilemma at work related to our yearly United Way campaign. Twenty years ago I refused to give to the United Way during my company’s annual campaign on the grounds that the United Way recognized Planned Parenthood as a worthy charity. After hearing that the United Way gave in to pro-life pressure and dropped Planned Parenthood as a charity, I decided to “reward” them and start giving a little each paycheck, designating Catholic Community Services as the charity. However, today I noticed Planned Parenthood as one of the charities for United Way. My gut feeling is that I shouldn’t have anything to do with a charity that would recognize an abortion provider as a legitimate charity, even if I can still designate Catholic Community Services as the recipient of my donation. Question: am I off base here? Is it moral to give to Catholic Community Services (or another worthy charity) knowing that the umbrella organization (United Way) supports Planned Parenthood? There is a big push at work to get everybody to give to the United Way this year and I have reason to believe that my non-participation this year might keep me from getting promoted. Thanks for any advice you can give.

 

[trogiah]

It seems that if the funds a person donates goes only to the charity designated then you are not contributing to anything you shouldn’t. I am not sure I understand the whole chain of command among United Way, Planned Parenthood, and CCS

Jim

 

[mjdonnelly]

The thing is that United Way will plan a budget for donating to each of the “charities”, so, PP will still get the money designated to it even if you want money to go elsewhere.

The best course of action is to find another charity to donate to.

 

[T.A.Stobie_SFO]

I advise all people to avoid United Way and donate directly to the charities they favor.

United Way can not be trusted. They support abortion providers and other non-Christian pursuits. Designating a charity does not help as they allocate funds to cover what you do not. They also take a chunk for administrative expensives.

 

[thistle]

I assume it must be an American thing but what is the United Way?

 

[Island_Oak]

I advise all people to avoid United Way and donate directly to the charities they favor.

United Way can not be trusted. They support abortion providers and other non-Christian pursuits. Designating a charity does not help as they allocate funds to cover what you do not. They also take a chunk for administrative expensives.

Your information is vague at best, inaccurate and misleading at worst.

The United Way is currently one of the most efficient vehicles by which to deliver charitable funds into the community. According to a report by the BBB, UWA delivers 88% of funds raised to its programs and spends just over 10% for administrative expenses. The standards by which similar organizations are evaluated require a minimum of 65% of funds into programming and 35% administrative cost–clearly a standard which the UWA is surpassing by a significant measure. For more information on the list of 20 criteria the BBB uses to assess charitable organizations (ALL of which are met by the UW) see the following : charityreports.give.org/Public/Report.aspx?CharityID=1994

While charitable giving is a very personal decision, I think we need to be mindful of the damage misinformation can do to organizations which are effective and promote real change in underserved communities.

 

[Corki]

All I can say is to check out the designated recipient option. Locally, this is how it works. If you chose a specific charity (ie Catholic Social Services), a **portion **of your donation is designated to go to that charity. The rest goes into the general fund. If the charity you designate goes over some pre-determined threshold, your donation doesn’t go to them at all and instead is “redirected” to a charity the UW deems to be underfunded.

They do support some worthy causes but you (and your favorite charity) are better off is you donate directly.

 

[1ke]

Hello, you might call me a “newbie” in that I am rather new to internet chat rooms and forums. What brings me to this forum is my dilemma at work related to our yearly United Way campaign. Twenty years ago I refused to give to the United Way during my company’s annual campaign on the grounds that the United Way recognized Planned Parenthood as a worthy charity. After hearing that the United Way gave in to pro-life pressure and dropped Planned Parenthood as a charity, I decided to “reward” them and start giving a little each paycheck, designating Catholic Community Services as the charity. However, today I noticed Planned Parenthood as one of the charities for United Way. My gut feeling is that I shouldn’t have anything to do with a charity that would recognize an abortion provider as a legitimate charity, even if I can still designate

You are quite right. Each UW local board approves agencies for UW funds. So, while PP may not be on UWs list in one city or in a particular year in your city, they are likely on the list in another city and/or can be added at any time in yours.

Catholic Community Services as the recipient of my donation. Question: am I off base here? Is it moral to give to Catholic Community Services (or another worthy charity) knowing that the umbrella organization (United Way) supports Planned Parenthood?

“Designated giving” is a sham because UW has the funds all allocated in advance. For example, they already know they will give $100K to Catholic Community Services and $100K to PP. So, they give your $200 to CCS and that frees up someone else’s $200 to PP. PP does not get deprived of funds if you designate. The undesignated funds make up the difference. And, if CCS exceeds its allocation, your money gets dumped in the general fund anyway.

Also, a % of each donation goes to the UW national organization who can and does give to whomever they choose and also they take a cut for “administrative” fees.

It is always better to give money directly to the organization rather than through a middle man such as UW.

There is a big push at work to get everybody to give to the United Way this year and I have reason to believe that my non-participation this year might keep me from getting promoted. Thanks for any advice you can give.

That is illegal. Consult a lawyer.

 

[1ke]

Your information is vague at best, inaccurate and misleading at worst.

According to a report by the BBB, UWA delivers 88% of funds raised to its programs and spends just over 10% for administrative expenses.

For more information on the list of 20 criteria the BBB uses to assess charitable organizations (ALL of which are met by the UW) see the following : charityreports.give.org/Public/Report.aspx?CharityID=1994

Using the BBB’s criteria does not get you anywhere. A giver must use both fiscal and moral criteria. Under the BBB’s criteria Planned Parenthood itself is a valid charity in good standing-- of course, morally it is reprehensible to give to such an organization even if the BBB loves them.

 

[Island_Oak]

Using the BBB’s criteria does not get you anywhere. A giver must use both fiscal and moral criteria. Under the BBB’s criteria Planned Parenthood itself is a valid charity in good standing-- of course, morally it is reprehensible to give to such an organization even if the BBB loves them.

Excuse me if I’m inventing things, but I believe the poster to whom I was responding criticized the the UW–implying it was inefficient by over-spending on administrative expenses instead of programming, which is patently false.

A separate issue concerns whether your local UW spends money supporting Planned Parenthood, or other groups to which one might object. Let’s make this simple, shall we? Go to the following web site: national.unitedway.org/ At the top left corner is a place to type in your zip code–this will take you to your local UW chapter. Each chapter keeps a list of organizations which it funds. Check the list. Make an informed decision. If you disagree with where the UW is spending its donors’ $, give elsewhere. Become informed and don’t rely on the innuendo, opinions or misinformation of others. Simple. Done.

 

[thann]

ishii;1 575990:

…There is a big push at work to get everybody to give to the United Way this year and I have reason to believe that my non-participation this year might keep me from getting promoted. Thanks for any advice you can give.

First of all, welcome. Stay awhile.

Second, avoid United Way. Donate your charitable contribution directly to the charity of your choice. What most have said here is true: You may designate a certain amount to Catholic Charities, but that simply frees up money for PP or another unsuitable (or even reprehensible) charity.

Third, regarding your last concern quoted above, my company used to strong-arm its employees not only using incentives, but also veiled threats. Someone must have blown the whistle because now the UW drive is simply announced. No more fliers, meetings, incentives, etc.

It is, indeed, illegal to force employees to donate to any charity. I haven’t donated to UW for 15 years, and my raises, bonuses, and promotions have not been adversely affected.
'thann

 

[quasimodo]

I assume it must be an American thing but what is the United Way?

your question was answered here

united appeal is now united way.

on the other sub-topic being discussed…

I don’t care if UA gives 110% of what they raise to charities. They have a history of raising funds by strong arm tactics and cohersion, and (I have been told by those I trust) out right threats. I can only personally attest to the strong arm tactics and cohersion.
Can we know that abortion is not being supported even if PP is not on the menu of supported organizations?

 

[Island_Oak]

I don’t care if UA gives 110% of what they raise to charities. They have a history of raising funds by strong arm tactics and cohersion, and (I have been told by those I trust) out right threats. I can only personally attest to the strong arm tactics and cohersion.

I know there is a strong current of “don’t confuse me with the facts” when it comes to the UW, but here is yet more innuendo and misinformation.

The “cohersion” and “out-right threats” to which you refer are unfailingly generated by corporate employers who want to be able to boast that they have ___ % employee participation in the annual UW drive so they can tout their community service as part of their advertising. It makes them look like good corporate citizens to have their entire organization on-board and giving back to the community–particularly if the corporation/business is also profiting from the community. This is NOT the doing of the UW. Please keep the stories and the actors straight.

Can we know that abortion is not being supported even if PP is not on the menu of supported organizations?

Follow direction given in post #10. Ask questions about any recipient organization with which you are not familiar. Becoming informed sometimes requires getting off the couch–though so much information is just a mouse click away. Also keep in mind no organization is perfect. How do we know contributions to our very own Church aren’t being diverted to pay legal fees/victim claim settlements for pedophile priests?

 

[Potato1]

I know there is a strong current of “don’t confuse me with the facts” when it comes to the UW, but here is yet more innuendo and misinformation.

The “cohersion” and “out-right threats” to which you refer are unfailingly generated by corporate employers who want to be able to boast that they have ___ % employee participation in the annual UW drive so they can tout their community service as part of their advertising. It makes them look like good corporate citizens to have their entire organization on-board and giving back to the community–particularly if the corporation/business is also profiting from the community. This is NOT the doing of the UW. Please keep the stories and the actors straight.

Follow direction given in post #10. Ask questions about any recipient organization with which you are not familiar. Becoming informed sometimes requires getting off the couch–though so much information is just a mouse click away. Also keep in mind no organization is perfect. How do we know contributions to our very own Church aren’t being diverted to pay legal fees/victim claim settlements for pedophile priests?

 

[epower]

I calculated pensions for terminated employees of United Way. These people made millions of dollars in salary. Give to a worthwhile charity directly like Food for the Poor, Covenant House or Catholic Charities. I would not trust them with 2 cents.

 

[ishii]

Thanks for the all the helpful replies to my question. I have decided to give directly to Catholic Community Services rather than support the United Way. Ishii

 

[JamesN]

There is a big push at work to get everybody to give to the United Way this year and I have reason to believe that my non-participation this year might keep me from getting promoted. Thanks for any advice you can give.

If my work promotion was dependent on providing money to an organisation that espoused abortion, I’d happily stay on the bottom rung until I retired.

 

[Michael_Neal]

its better to just give to a charity you support directly, some of your money could end up going to Planned Parenthood.

 

[newbetx]

Hello, you might call me a “newbie” in that I am rather new to internet chat rooms and forums. What brings me to this forum is my dilemma at work related to our yearly United Way campaign. Twenty years ago I refused to give to the United Way during my company’s annual campaign on the grounds that the United Way recognized Planned Parenthood as a worthy charity. After hearing that the United Way gave in to pro-life pressure and dropped Planned Parenthood as a charity, I decided to “reward” them and start giving a little each paycheck, designating Catholic Community Services as the charity. However, today I noticed Planned Parenthood as one of the charities for United Way. My gut feeling is that I shouldn’t have anything to do with a charity that would recognize an abortion provider as a legitimate charity, even if I can still designate Catholic Community Services as the recipient of my donation. Question: am I off base here? Is it moral to give to Catholic Community Services (or another worthy charity) knowing that the umbrella organization (United Way) supports Planned Parenthood? There is a big push at work to get everybody to give to the United Way this year and I have reason to believe that my non-participation this year might keep me from getting promoted. Thanks for any advice you can give.

When UW stopped giving to Boy Scouts of America, I stopped giving to them. They became anti-religious in my mind at that point.

If someone turns you down for a promotion because not giving to UW seems wrong, then they will pay for it later. I will pray for you that this gets “overlooked” if there is such a process in place at your work. Should someone ask, your easiest retort is: “I give to the charities of my choice. UW does not allow me to make that decision.”

Now, that said, many company UW campaigns allow you to direct all of your money to a particular charity(s). Some with, some without a “handling fee.” Call your HR person and see what your options are. Good luck!

 

[Joe_5859]

I assume it must be an American thing but what is the United Way?

It’s a charity that raises money to give to other charities.

They tout a mere 10% or less for administrative costs, which is certainly better than other similar groups. But it’s still 10% of your money that does not go to charity.

Personally, I’d rather skip the middle man and give straight to the charities that I can whole-heartedly support.