FAQ's

Where does my money go?
Your gift is invested in more than 50 health and human service programs, collaborations and initiatives delivered throughout Dutchess County. United Way partners use their allocations for programs, services, and other specific purposes to best serve the needs of the community.

Why not just give directly to the agencies?
By giving to United Way, your dollars will have greater impact. Experienced community leaders help invest your gift in programs that deliver results for our community. United Way of Dutchess County does not provide "general" funding to agencies. We carefully select which programs we fund based upon whether or not those programs, which are administered by local organizations, will address the specific needs of our community.

What does "Community Impact" really mean?
United Way's Community Impact model assures the maximum effect your investment has on the lives of our neighbors. This careful process begins with the "Community Assessment," whereby the community's unique and distinctive needs are determined. From this extensive analysis the community's "Areas of Impact" are targeted. Your investment then is directed to specific programs that fill the needs of those "Areas of Impact."

What are United Way of Dutchess County's Areas of Impact?
Our three areas of focus are:

  1. Education
  2. Income
  3. Health

Who governs United Way of Dutchess County?
You do! Our volunteer Board of Governors and volunteer committee members come from all walks of life and reflect the diversity of Dutchess County.

I never use agency services, so why should I give?
As residents of Dutchess County, we want our community to be the best place in which to live - healthy, safe, and with a wealth of services. Your generosity will go a long way toward ensuring that a wide range of human service programs are available to Dutchess County residents. United Way asks people to give because our community's needs are always greater than its resources. Your gift to United Way supports a growing network of programs that serve as a safety net for the community and whose programs improve the quality of life for all our neighbors.

How many people actually use these programs?
In the past year over 50,000 of our neighbors used United Way of Dutchess County-funded programs.