Careers

1. What is United Way?
   The United Way of Prince Edward Island was established in 1962. It came into existence to address the needs and concerns of the communities all across the Island. It is a local registered charitable organization committed to provide the funds needed to meet community needs and build stronger communities. It engages the entire community by looking hard at the needs and establishing priorities.
   
   
2. Who runs United Way?
   United Way is controlled by a volunteer Board with the assistance of a small staff. In addition to this Board, there are thousands of volunteers working on behalf of United Way in a variety of roles.
   
   
3. What is a Priority Community Need?
   A human care or social need that has been identified by the community through the United Way’s yearly community needs assessment in one or two of the five population groups (families, children, youth, seniors and persons with disabilities).
   
   
4. What is Community Needs Assessment?
   Each year the United Way of PEI conducts an Island – wide community needs assessment into one or two of the five population groups (families, children, youth, seniors and persons with disabilities). The results of each one of these assessments will be used for three years in determining United Way of PEI programs. These needs assessments allow the United Way to allocate funds to areas or needs identified by target populations in PEI. This enables the United Way to ensure that campaign contributions are targeted to provide the greatest benefit to Islanders.
   
   
5. What is Priority Program Funding?
   Due to the increasing request from Member Agencies and the problem for the United Way to increase their campaign, United Way of PEI introduced Priority Program Funding Application Process in 2001. The Priority Program application focuses on: -Business Plan -Measuring Outcomes -Targets & Benchmarks All these are applicable over the extent of term of application.
   
   
6. Can any agency apply for United Way funding?
   Any registered charitable organization providing human care and social services to the community may apply for funding. However, to receive funding they must meet rigorous management and performance criteria established by the United Way.
   
   
7. What is Letter of Intent?
   The Letter of Intent is an enhancement to the application process for the Priority Program Funding. All organizations interested in receiving Priority Program Funding are required to initially submit a three page Letter of Intent. The Letter of Intent demonstrates how the proposed program will make a difference with the target population by addressing up to three identified concern(s) from the United Way of PEI Community Needs Assessment survey results. Those programs that are successful in their Letter of Intent are invited to move forward by completing a Priority Program Application.
   
   
8. Who decides which programs will be supported by the United Way of PEI?
   Organizations submit a Priority Program Funding Application to the Allocations Committee of the United Way. This group of trained volunteers will then evaluate the application to determine if the program meets the community priority needs criteria. The Allocation Committee formulates a recommendation that goes to the United Way of Prince Edward Island Board of Directors for final approval.
   
   
9. Are any donations to non-funded organizations accepted?
   United Way acknowledges that some donors may wish to assign part or all of their contribution to a specific area of service or registered charity (including funded and non-funded agencies).The organizations need to be a Federally Registered Charity; should provide human care, health or social services and be willing to accept funds from the United Way of PEI. If the organization is not a Federally Registered Charity the United Way will call the donor to advise them of this and designate their donation to any Registered Charity of their choice.
   
   
10. Is there a minimum amount that can be designated to any one organization or option?
    Yes there is. In order to keep our cost down, we request that the minimum designation to any specific organization or area of service is $10.00.
    
    
11. When will designated organizations receive my donation?
    Payments to designated agencies will be made annually.
    
    
12. Does my designation to a specific Funded agency really make a difference?
    Yes. Funded agencies receive designations "in addition" to the allocation they received.
    
    
13. Are there administration costs for the handling of donor’s designations?
    Donors sometimes choose to process all their charitable gifts through United Way. The donor option program allows convenient "one-stop-giving" by facilitating donations to specified charities, to a particular area of community need or to another United Way. All agencies receive 100% of honored designated dollars.
    
    
14. How much does United Way spend on fundraising and administration?
    United Way prides itself on its excellent record as a low-overhead charitable organization. With administration costs running in the range of 9%, United Way is a leader in cost-efficient fundraising.
    
    
15. Who approves United Way’s operating budget?
    The volunteer Board of Directors approve United Way’s operating budget.
    
    
16. What are the tax advantages of charitable giving?
    Donations to United Way fully qualify for charitable tax credits by the federal and provincial governments. Taxpayers receive a Federal Tax credit of 16% for the first $200 of charitable donations and 29% on all donations in excess of $200. In turn, the amount of federal surtax, provincial tax and provincial surtax you owe is reduced accordingly.
    
    
17. Why does the goal keep increasing?
    The need for and cost of human care services in Prince Edward Island are increasing at a greater rate than inflation because of the growth in the population, changes in family structure, aging population, and continued high rates of poverty. United Way tries to address the growth in these needs by increasing its campaign achievement annually.
    
    
18. What is United Way’s relationship with organized Labour?
    United Way and the Canadian Labour Congress share a common vision of building a society that provides a wide range of social and public services that are all accessible, universal and of the highest quality. Organized Labour sees United Way as a community endeavor that is responsible, efficient and accountable. One of the most effective ways to ensure their members receive the help they need when they need it is for organized Labour to support United Way.
    
    
19. Doesn’t the government provide money to help your agencies?
    All levels of government fund specific areas of need such as unemployment, education, training and health care. Many government departments also fund programs delivered by United Way agencies but many necessary services do not qualify for government funding. United Way provides funding to ensure that agencies have enough funds for programs not supported by government.
    
    
20. Why should I give to United Way when I never use any of the agency services?
    United Way’s Campaign supports over one hundred health and social service agencies (Donor options & United Way Allocations) including youth services, crisis intervention, health care and services for the elderly. Check the list of agencies that are supported by United Way, chances are you will recognize an agency a close friend, a co-worker or a family member has already used.
    
    
21. I live outside the Greater Charlottetown area, why should I give if there are no agencies where I live?
    Dollars raised through the United Way are used to service clients throughout Prince Edward Island. Although the majority of agencies may be located in Charlottetown a survey of agencies reveals that a great number of clients travel to Charlottetown to receive services. There are many agencies that provide their programs throughout the province.