FAQs

About United Way

What does United Way of Cass-Clay do?

United Way of Cass-Clay strives to create a stronger, healthier community for everyone. United Way gets people talking about the issues that affect the whole community and helps gather resources and connect people. Working together we can create sustainable and meaningful change to our community.

What is the difference between United Way of Cass-Clay and other nonprofits?

Making a gift to United Way of Cass-Clay is the most effective way to help our whole community. It is an investment. Our unique ability to work across complex issues like education, income stability, health, and basic needs with many community partners is unmatched.

We mobilize volunteers and convene partner agencies, corporations, community leaders, and policymakers to make broad, social changes like no other organization can on its own.

What is United Way?

United Way is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) agency that brings people and communities together to advance the common good. We partner with local nonprofits, businesses, government, and social service agencies to address our community’s most pressing needs.

Our mission is to connect people to people, needs to resources, and experts to advocates to improve lives and advance the common good throughout Cass & Clay counties.

Who runs United Way of Cass-Clay?

YOU make up the United Way of Cass-Clay team along with your friends, co-workers, and neighbors.

Dedicated volunteers donate their time and talents each year to set goals, organize campaigns, solicit gifts, budget funds, identify and determine community priorities, and distribute dollars. A volunteer board of directors sets local United Way policies and works in partnership with a professional staff administering the day-to-day operations.

Campaigns

I’m interested in starting a campaign at my organization – where do I start?

There are many advantages to running a United Way of Cass-Clay workplace campaign:

• United Way of Cass-Clay offers a simple, convenient, and efficient way for your employees to support the community and causes they believe in.
• Your employees may give in regular increments, via payroll deduction through an easy to use system, or through a paper pledge form.
• A workplace campaign will help your company maximize its culture and focus on team work and community.
• Your employees will be able to tap into a wealth of volunteer opportunities such as Day of Caring and the School Supply Drive.

It is easy to start. Just call (701) 237-5050 and the a member of our Resource Development Team will assist you.

My company does not run a campaign, can I still give?

Absolutely! Anyone who wants to be involved with the United Way of Cass-Clay is welcome to join us. To give, click here.

If you are interested in learning more about how your company can start running a campaign, contact our Resource Development Department at 701-237-5050 and they will be more than happy to help.

 

Why should I participate in my company’s United Way campaign?

United Way believes that children, individuals, and families deserve opportunities to overcome their obstacles and succeed. It is also a priority to us to invest each dollar raised into programs that achieve measurable, long-term results.

 

Giving

Does the United Way provide anything besides money to agencies in the community?

Yes, the United Way works with our community partners to assist them in measuring program quality as well as telling their story to our community.

How do I give to United Way of Cass-Clay?

There are a variety of different ways you can give to United Way:

  1. Participate in your company’s annual United Way Campaign
  2. Write a check (send it to PO 1609, Fargo ND 58108-1609)
  3. Drop off your cash donation at our office (located at 4351 23rd Ave. S., Fargo, ND)
  4. Call us to make your gift via a credit card
  5. Give online

However you choose to give, you can be sure that your gift will be invested in quality programs that will make a difference in the lives of local men, women, and children.

How does United Way of Cass-Clay invest my gift? How do I know if my gift was used wisely?

Each year, more than 100 trained volunteers, who are donors just like you, work with our staff to carefully review the management and effectiveness of the programs we partner with and use this information to determine funding levels.

The four key factors in these results include: program accountability, demonstrated lasting change, efficiently and effectively run programs, and programs that are responsive to the changing community needs.

How much of my money actually goes to serving those in need?

More than 99 cents of every dollar you give is invested right here in Cass & Clay counties.

United Way continues to be nationally recognized for its extremely low fundraising and administrative costs.

I can only afford to give a small amount. Is it worth giving at all?

Yes, every donation is important! We want you to feel comfortable with your gift and feel good about its impact.

Giving, at any level, will provide you a sense of belonging to our community and makes a better place for all of us to live, work, and play.

I don’t live in town so I don’t feel I need to give.

United Way of Cass-Clay serves individuals and communities across Cass and Clay counties.

People who need services often come to where the services are located, the majority being in the metro area. Check out our Community Partners here.

What programs does the United Way currently provide funding for?

We are proud to work with an amazing group of community partners who help make our community a place to thrive for everyone.

What’s the difference between designated and undesignated gifts?

A designated gift restricts your gift to a specific 501(c)3 organization. An undesignated gift takes advantage of United Way’s thorough, research-based program selection that gets the money to the programs and issues that need it most. This allows you to help the most people and do the most good for our entire community.

When I invest in United Way of Cass-Clay is my investment tax deductible?

Yes. And even if you don’t itemize on your tax return, you can take a deduction.

Non-itemizing Minnesota taxpayers can deduct 50% of charitable contributions exceeding $500. To learn more about this law, visit the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

Why should I give to United Way when I can just give directly to an agency?

Your United Way investment is important and powerful when combined with other investments from the community. United Way does much more than simply collect and distribute money. United Way is a leader in creating community change: assessing needs, responding, and measuring results.

• United Way monitors programs that receive grants to ensure they follow sound fiscal policies and provide effective services. Careful stewardship is valuable to donors who want their contribution to make the greatest impact.
• United Way works in two ways: meeting immediate needs and addressing the underlying causes of problems for long-term results.
• United Way looks for gaps and duplications to ensure that the services needed in our community are available.
• United Way affiliation enables agencies to leverage public and private funding. This multiplies the effect of your contribution.

Why should I give?

By investing in United Way you can be sure that it is the most effective way to direct your investments to address community needs.

United Way enables you to focus your energies and advance the common good improving the overall quality of life in our community. To create lasting solutions United Way identifies the root cause of the problem and then works together to solve the problem for our community.

By bringing together nonprofits, government, businesses, and volunteers we see results right here in Cass & Clay counties.

More Information

I am looking for services, who can I call?

The FirstLink 2-1-1 Helpline is an easy to remember, free, confidential service that connects callers to information about services and programs.

2-1-1 callers in North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota, will be connected to call specialists are trained in crisis intervention, including suicide intervention.

Your United Way of Cass-Clay is proud to fund FirstLink’s 2-1-1 hotline to ensure that local people in need of services can get connected to the resources they need. Individuals are welcome to call about a variety of needs including, but not limited to:

  • Abuse/assault
  • Addiction
  • Counseling
  • Disability
  • Emergency Shelter
  • Employment
  • Faith communities
  • Financial assistance
  • Food assistance
  • Gambling
  • Government
  • Grief
  • Healthcare
  • Legal
  • Medical
  • Medication Assistance
  • Mental health
  • Military and family support
  • Parenting
  • Recreation
  • Relationships
  • Rental assistance
  • Self-injury
  • Senior centers
  • Sexuality
  • Schools
  • Substance abuse
  • Suicide
  • Support groups
  • Transportation
  • Utility assistance
  • Victim Services
  • Volunteer Opportunities

For help, dial 2-1-1 or 701.235.7335 (SEEK).