Donor Questions
What are my donation options?
If I live in Talbot County but work somewhere else, how can I give to the United Fund of Talbot County through my employee campaign?
How do I make a donation to United Fund of Talbot County if I work for the federal, state, county or city government?
I work for a living and pay my own way. I’m not going to use these services. Why should I support them?
How Talbot County Benefits
Why conduct a United Fund of Talbot County campaign?
Where does the money go once United Fund of Talbot County receives it?
What is the benefit of giving to the United Fund of Talbot County annual campaign?
How does United Fund of Talbot County determine how much money member agencies receive?
Do United Fund agencies have other income?
General
What does the United Fund of Talbot County do?
What is the United Fund campaign?
What does the term “501(c) (3)” mean?
Who runs United Fund of Talbot County? Does it belong to any other company or agency?
What is United Fund of Talbot County’s relationship with United Way of America?
Who serves on the Board of Directors?
Donor Questions
What are my donation options?
When you participate in the United Fund campaign, you can choose to make a donation:
- By cash, check, Visa, or MasterCard
- With an annual pledge, to be paid monthly or quarterly
- Through a payroll deduction
- With the sale of stock
- By donating a used vehicle
- Through a planned giving contribution
If I live in Talbot County but work somewhere else, how can I give to the United Fund of Talbot County through my employee campaign?
You need to designate your donation by writing “United Fund of Talbot County” in the appropriate space on the pledge card your employer provides. Please check with your employer if you have any questions.
How do I make a donation to United Fund of Talbot County if I work for the federal, state, county or city government?
The United Fund participates in several combined campaigns through which government employees can donate to the United Fund of Talbot County. These campaigns include the Maryland Charities Campaign (MCC) and the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) in Maryland and the National Capital area.
I work for a living and pay my own way. I’m not going to use these services. Why should I support them?
It’s possible that you may never use the services of those agencies supported by the United Fund of Talbot County. However, some people give because they want to maintain the services in case they do need them, like disaster assistance or home health care for an elderly relative, or youth mentoring and character development programs. But, a number of people give because there are persons in our community who cannot pay their own way – who really cannot help themselves as much as they would like – an abused child, a handicapped young adult, an elderly invalid, the mentally ill. They need the help and support of our agencies so that they can learn to help themselves.
How Talbot County Benefits
Why conduct a United Fund of Talbot County campaign?
Our single, annual fundraising drive that runs from September 1 through the end of the Fund’s fiscal year on June 30 helps to provide a multitude of services and support in an efficient and economical method. It works so well because volunteers can combine their resources for one appeal instead of many individual drives. Contributors, too, have the opportunity to see their human service dollars go the furthest to do the most good, helping to support many agencies through one gift.
Where does the money go once United Fund of Talbot County receives it?
The United Fund of Talbot County is a strictly local charity, and every penny raised stays here in our community. For over 50 years, it has been a means to a better way of life for everyone who lives and works in Talbot County.
What is the benefit of giving to the United Fund of Talbot County annual campaign?
The United Fund provides a unique service to Talbot County, raising funds to benefit agencies that serve the most critical health and human service needs in our community. Rather than being just a middleman in the fundraising process, the United Fund enables donors to multiply their impact on these needs through the Agency Review Committee process. The Agency Review committee volunteers, representing all segments of our community, work together to ensure that your donation is being used responsibly and efficiently to address the most urgent needs each year. And, having the United Fund do a portion of their fundraising allows agencies to spend more time and effort delivering services and providing programs to their clients.
How does United Fund of Talbot County determine how much money member agencies receive?
An important criterion for the United Fund is sound fiscal management. Each year, agencies are invited to submit grant applications. Each grant application received – from both current agencies as well as first-time requesters – provides a detailed background on how that agency impacts the lives of Talbot County residents and must present their requirements for funding, explaining how it will be used to benefit our community. The volunteer-driven Agency Review Committee reviews each of these applications in depth. Committee members meet with all submitting agencies, examine their programs and budget information, and become thoroughly familiar with each organization. By looking at local needs, they then develop recommendations on how the campaign dollars are to be allocated, and present to the United Fund Board of Directors for approval.
Do United Fund agencies have other income?
Many agencies have developed additional income sources such as foundation grants, government contracts, membership enrollment programs, special events and service fees based on an individual’s ability to pay. It is important to remember that funding from the United Fund goes directly to providing services for people in need in Talbot County. Income from all other sources is reviewed and considered by volunteers prior to determination of the amount to be allocated by the United Fund.
General
What does the United Fund of Talbot County do?
The United Fund of Talbot County is a local, volunteer-managed organization that raises money in direct support of its member non-profit agencies.
What is the United Fund campaign?
The United Fund runs a donor-driven, open campaign annually starting September 1 and concluding at the end of the Fund’s fiscal year on June 30 in which donors make a monetary gift to the United Fund of Talbot County to be allocated to our member agencies to answer the community’s most urgent health and human services needs.
How long has the United Fund been involved with the Talbot County community?
The United Fund has been reaching out to the community for decades. Since our inception in 1955, we have raised over $12 million to help Talbot County residents in need.
What does the term “501(c) (3)” mean?
A 501(c) (3) is a certified nonprofit agency, as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Who runs United Fund of Talbot County? Does it belong to any other company or agency?
The United Fund has a single paid employee – its Executive Director, who is supported by a Board of Directors comprised of local individuals who live and/or work in Talbot County. The United Fund is local, independent and autonomous. It is not an affiliate or chapter of any other organization.
What is United Fund of Talbot County’s relationship with United Way of America?
There is none.
Who serves on the Board of Directors?
The Board of Directors is comprised entirely of volunteers. Community leaders as well as local and retired business people donate their time and resources to the United Fund in the effort to build a stronger, healthier and more sustainable community.
To learn more about serving on the Agency Review Committee or to volunteer to help during our annual Campaign drive, please contact our office at 410-822-1957.