June 27, 2012 United Way of PEI offers new educated donor session
Back row (left to right): Margaret Somers, Heather MacLean, Melissa Bruce, Olive Bryanton. Front row (left to right): David Dunphy, Kris O’Brien, Heather MacLean, Doug Burton. Missing from photo: Gary Clow, Gary Scales and Ross White.
Photo courtesy of The Guardian.
United Way of Prince Edward Island offers new educated donor session
June 27, 2012 - CHARLOTTETOWN (PE) – At its recent annual general meeting, the United Way of Prince Edward Island announced it will provide a donor education information transfer (EDIT) session, free of charge, to interested workplaces, seniors groups, social groups and organizations. The initiative is being launched as part of the United Way of PEI’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.
“The United Way of Prince Edward Island was established in 1962 as the Prince Edward Island United Fund and was created in an effort to reduce the amount of fundraising asks from various charities,” says UWPEI President Kris O’Brien. “Fifty years later, Islanders and Island businesses are once again faced with a similar situation. To celebrate our 50th year, the United Way of PEI wants to help donors and potential donors ask the right questions and obtain the necessary information so they can make an informed donor decision.”
EDIT will be delivered by United Way of PEI board members, staff and volunteers. The presentation will help participants realize the importance of planning their annual contributions, to identify the different ways they can donate – whether by offering their time and talent or by making a financial gift to the charity of their choice. It will also provide participants with a list of questions they can ask in order to determine whether an organization is a registered charity, how much of their fundraising dollars go towards administration and fundraising costs and to help participants deal with pressure tactics by telephone or in-person solicitation, etc.The EDIT program will also help participants understand what their rights are as donors and much more.
“Most people want to help those in need,” says Heather MacLean, UWPEI board member and sales and marketing manager for Murphy’s Pharmacies. “Islanders are among the most generous donors in Canada, but often they don’t know how much of the money they donate actually goes to the people they want to assist. Our EDIT program will provide participants with resources and tools so they can better decide how to direct their contributions.”
There are currently 578 registered charities on Prince Edward Island and each charity has an obligation to provide detailed information to interested donors.
“Request written literature and a copy of the charity’s latest annual report,” suggests Olive Bryanton, UWPEI board member and project coordinator for the PEI Centre on Health and Aging. “The information the charity provides should include a list of the board of directors, a mission statement and the most recent available audited financial statements. Honest charities typically encourage your interest and respond to your questions.”
The United Way of Prince Edward Island invites any organization – a work place, seniors groups, a social club, etc. to book an EDIT session.
“The Educated Donor Information Transfer presentation is offered free of charge and can be delivered at your organization’s convenience,” says MacLean. “Simply call the United Way of PEI office at 894-8202 or e-mail inquiries@peiunitedway.com.”
The United Way of Prince Edward Island currently funds 19 programs that address priority needs of Island children, youth, families, seniors and persons with disabilities. For more details, please visit: www.peiunitedway.com and click on Who We Support.
“We thank our many generous donors and supporters who have enabled us to help Islanders in need over the past 50 years,” says UWPEI President Kris O’Brien. “The United Way of PEI’s mission is to build communities and improve Islanders’ quality of life through our partnerships with Island community organizations. We believe our new EDIT initiative will help Islanders ask the right questions so they can feel confident their contributions are truly making a difference.”
