The United Way System

The United Way system includes approximately 1,350 community-based United Way organizations. Each is independent, separately incorporated and governed by local volunteers.

Our experience tells us that the best way to help the most people is to focus on the root causes of a community's most serious problems. It takes the whole community-- working together-- to pull it off.

United Ways bring people together to focus on the most important needs in the community -- building partnerships, forging consensus and leveraging resources to make a measurable difference.

United Ways ensure that each organization in which they invest is a non-profit, tax-exempt charity governed by volunteers, and that it submits to an annual, independent financial audit, provides services at a reasonable cost, and maintains a policy of non-discrimination.

A vast network of volunteers and the simplicity of corporate payroll deduction keep administrative expenses low - averaging 13 percent of all funds raised at the largest United Ways. This figure compares favorably with the suggested Better Business Bureau guidelines of up to 35 percent.

United Way of Kentucky is the statewide organization dedicated to leading the United Way movement in making measurable impact across the Commonwealth. It invests in the programs and services that strengthen the ability of 21 local United Ways in Kentucky to identify and build a coalition around a set of community priorities and measure success based on community impact.