Last year, the average United Way raised less money and decreased their allocations to programs and partner agencies. The average United Way held fewer workplace campaigns last year and ended up with fewer donors. Last year, average United Ways . . .

One of the most common refrains I hear from United Ways is that the times are changing. Society is changing, technology is changing, the economy is changing, and even competition for charitable giving is changing.

“It is more work to try to do everything and not know where you are going” – Ken Toll, President/CEO, United Way of Jackson County

In the past couple of weeks, several articles and editorials with ominous titles like “Do we still need the United Way?” have once again questioned the relevance of United Ways.

Just because you can never reach it, doesn’t mean it’s not worth looking for.

– Norton Juster

Many United Ways have faced the challenge of decreasing numbers of donors. Frequently, United Ways tell us that their donor rolls have dwindled over the years, no matter how hard they try to attract and retain new donors.