Frequently Asked Questions

Established locally in 1911, United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg serves Charles City, Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, Petersburg, Powhatan and Richmond. United Way advances the common good by focusing on the building blocks of a good life – Education, Income and Health. By using its knowledge of the community’s most pressing needs in these areas, United Way directs resources to the very best programs that improve lives and build a stronger community. United Way also gives every local citizen the opportunity to participate in charitable giving to support our region.

Yes. By simply dialing 2-1-1, you will reach United Way's Information & Referral Center where trained specialists are available seven days a week, 8:00 a.m. to midnight. One call to 2-1-1 connects you to a variety of human services available throughout the region.

Dedicated volunteers, with support from United Way’s professional staff, oversee every aspect of the organization. Community leaders monitor and govern United Way's financial operations and ensure that funds are prudently managed. Volunteers from the corporate sector lead the annual fundraising campaign. Diverse groups of volunteers – often ordinary citizens – serve on Action Councils that focus on addressing critical human service needs.

Our United Way is a local organization run by community volunteers who determine all policies, procedures and decisions. We are completely autonomous from United Way of America. Our United Way does receive training, advertising resources and consulting services provided by United Way of America.

United Way's Customer Service representative can be contacted at (804) 775-6472 or emailed at customerservice@yourunitedway.org.

More than 100 experienced volunteers ensure that your dollars are invested in quality programs and innovative initiatives that get results. These dedicated volunteers continually monitor and evaluate each funded program for effectiveness and measure the results achieved.

The Community Action Fund is the most powerful way to invest your contribution and influence the condition of all. How? Your investment is combined with the investments of other generous individuals and companies to support the best package of human service programs available in the region. Experienced volunteers work together to understand the most pressing needs in the community and invest in the best programs to solve those issues. Every program funded through the Community Action Fund is monitored, evaluated and measured for effectiveness. This way, United Way can validate that your investment gets results and makes a difference.

United Way invests in quality programs and innovative initiatives in three focus areas: Education, Income and Health. Improving the lives of the most vulnerable among us creates the kind of lasting change that means a stronger community for us all.

A gift to United Way is an investment in the health and safety of our community. And, chances are either you or someone you know has been helped or supported by a United Way funded program. We support a wide variety of organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs, Friends Association for Children, Circle Center Adult Day Services, and many more. Plus, your gift ensures that services like emergency shelter or disaster assistance will be available, if you ever need them.

More than 100 volunteers from diverse segments of the community serve on Action Councils in each of United Way’s three focus areas. These volunteers work together to understand our region's human service needs and invest dollars in solutions. Additionally, the Action Council volunteers monitor programs year-round, evaluate effectiveness and measure the results achieved.

Yes, United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg invests in the local Boy Scouts Heart of Virginia Council. The local Council partners with neighborhood-based community organizations to bring scouting opportunities to a variety of children. Scouting gives these children the opportunity to develop leadership skills in safe, positive environments. The organization's Scoutreach effort supplies uniforms, handbooks, and camping trips to children whose families are unable to afford these items.

United Way’s funding decisions are based on a program's ability to address the most pressing needs in our community. The diversity of programs United Way supports allows people to choose the best fit for their particular needs, values, and beliefs.

Dollars raised through the annual campaign stay in the Greater Richmond and Petersburg region. The only funds that leave our community are dollars that donors have designated to other United Ways or to agencies in other communities.

Because of United Way's efficiency, the administrative charge for donations is only 15 percent. This percentage covers costs such as raising, processing and distributing funds as well as other operational functions. This overhead is lower than most charities and much lower than the Better Business Bureau's guideline of 35 percent or less for overhead.

An agency must meet eligibility requirements that include information validating 501(c)3 status, registration with the State Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, and provision of a local, direct health and human service.

In difficult times, the needs in our community increase dramatically as more individuals and families struggle to maintain their daily lives. Therefore, we encourage you to seriously consider increasing your gift. Remember, we all benefit when children succeed in school, when families are financially stable, and when people have good health.