United Way Worldwide

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This article is about United Way's umbrella organization. For the network of United Way affiliate organizations, see United Way.
United Way Worldwide
United Way Worldwide logo.svg
Formation1887
Denver, Colorado, United States
TypePrivate non-profit
Legal statusActive
PurposeCharitable organization
Headquarters701 N. Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Region served
Worldwide
Incoming President and CEO (October 15, 2021)
Angela F. Williams
Websitewww.unitedway.org

United Way Worldwide (UWW) (formerly United Way of America and United Way International) is a privately-funded nonprofit that supports the network of more than 1,800 autonomous United Ways.[1][2]

The network spans more than 40 countries and territories and 6 continents. It serves 61 million people across the globe, fueled by 2.9 million volunteers and 8.3 million donors.[citation needed]

Structure and relationship to local United Way affiliates[]

United Way Worldwide is not a top-down organization that has ownership of local United Ways.[2] Instead, each local United Way is run as independently and incorporated separately as a 501(c)(3) organization.[3] Each United Way are led by local staff and volunteers and have their own board of directors, independent of United Way Worldwide.[2]

Local United Way organizations raise funds primarily via workplace campaigns, where employers solicit contributions that can be paid through automatic payroll deductions.[1][4] After an administrative fee is deducted, money raised by local United Ways is distributed to local nonprofit agencies.[3] Major recipients have included the American Cancer Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Catholic Charities, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and The Salvation Army.[5]

Local United Way pay membership dues to United Way Worldwide for licensing rights to the United Way brand and must meet criteria to maintain their membership status.[6] The membership dues to United Way Worldwide are a portion of the total funds raised by each local United Way.[7] Some affiliates cite this payment as 1% of their total funds raised on their websites.[8][9][10] United Way Worldwide also provides national marketing campaigns and partnerships, like the National Football League in the United States.[2]

United Way's 211 and disaster response[]

In 2000, United Way joined with the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems to successfully petition the Federal Communications Commission to designate 211 as a health and human services information hotline. Originally created by United Way of Atlanta, 2-1-1 is an easy-to- remember and universally recognizable telephone number. Like 911 and 411, it helped people reach out in times of crisis to find local support and services.[citation needed]

In 2017-18, the United Way Network raised more than $86.53 million for long-term recovery efforts related to Hurricane Harvey, Hurricanes Irma/Maria and the 2017 earthquakes in Mexico.[11] Almost $55.21 million has been raised for Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts Almost $30 million has been raised for Hurricane Irma/Maria recovery efforts Almost $1.4 million has been raised for Mexico Earthquake recovery efforts Almost $266,000 has been designated for where the money is most needed

United Way's local organization in Chile, along with other United Way organizations throughout Latin America have mobilized to respond to the earthquake that hit Chile on February 27, 2010. They provided support in areas with the most pressing long-term recovery needs.[citation needed]

United Way Worldwide established the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund,[12] introduced a text-to-give program, and is coordinating the integration of efforts from United Ways around the world. United Way Worldwide has worked with the United States government – the White House, Congress, State Department, Department of Homeland Security, and to underscore the vital role of U.S. and international NGOs in Haiti's long-term recovery.[13]

Immediately following the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan, United Way began raising funds for the Central Community Chest of Japan, part of the United Way worldwide network. Almost 90 volunteer centers were set up throughout the country at the prefectural, municipal, district, and community levels. As of March 22, eight consultants and 23 volunteer coordinators had been dispatched to Fukushima, Miyagi, Iwate, and Aomori Prefecture, with another 68 coordinators preparing for dispatch. The Central Community Chest of Japan has helped provide supplies to volunteer centers including bicycles, mattresses, cell phones, and laptops. Additional supplies requested by the volunteer centers include motorbikes, prefab houses and tents, copy and fax machines, PCs and printers.[citation needed]

The Central Community Chest of Japan is collaborating with 43 affiliated non-profit organizations through the Council for Disaster Relief Project for Volunteers. This number is expected to grow rapidly as transportation conditions continue to improve.[14]

2020 Sexual harassment and retaliation allegations[]

In November 2020, the HuffPost reported that three female employees at United Way Worldwide filed complaints between 2019 and 2020 with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. These complaints alleged sexual harassment and retaliation by UWW after they spoke up about the behavior. In response to the allegations, United Way Worldwide commissioned Proskauer Rose to investigate the claims. The investigation found no “actionable harassment, discrimination, or retaliation” at the organization but the report also noted “the need to address the broader organizational and reputation issues."[15]

Lisa Bowman, who alleged then-CEO Brian Gallagher fired her as retaliation for reporting sexual harassment by another executive, called the inquiry "not a thorough, fair, or reliable investigation."[15] United Way Worldwide's former vice president for labor engagement, Ana Avendaño, also filed a complaint with the EEOC alleging that United Way Worldwide retaliated by firing her after she uncovered sexual harassment of female United Way employees by AFL-CIO leaders.[16] Avendaño said that while she was not contacted during the investigation she has “information that would’ve helped in the investigation.”[15] The third woman who filed an EEOC complaint (who did not want to be identified for fear of retaliation) said that she was not contacted either by the investigators and that she was “not at all surprised” about the report findings, “It’s what I expected.”[15]

Gallagher, who resigned from United Way Worldwide in March 2021 after the investigation concluded, said when announcing his retirement, “there is no evidence of a toxic or hostile culture. Is there room for improvement? Absolutely, just like almost any other workplace.”[17]

See also[]

  • United Way

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Lieber, Ron (2016-12-23). "United Way Searches for Its Place in a World of One-Click Giving (Published 2016)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Kravis Leadership Institute (2004). Improving Leadership in Nonprofit Organizations. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-7879-6830-4.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Chan, Joseph (2015-12-29). Confucian Perfectionism: A Political Philosophy for Modern Times. Princeton University Press. p. 188. ISBN 978-0-691-16816-6.
  4. ^ "Charity Begins with Your Paycheck". Black Enterprise. Earl G. Graves, Ltd. December 1982.
  5. ^ "United Way Worldwide" Hoovers Business Intelligence, company profiles
  6. ^ "NOTEBOOK: We were curious, so we asked". Business Record. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
  7. ^ "Fundraising Sags at United Way; Layoffs Planned". Philanthropy News Digest (PND). Candid. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
  8. ^ "FAQs". United Way of Allen County. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
  9. ^ "Who We Are : Relationship with United Way Worldwide/ FAQs". United Way of Lamoille County. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
  10. ^ "National Dues to United Way Worldwide". United Way of Muskingum, Perry & Morgan Counties. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
  11. ^ "United Way Disaster Recovery". United Way Worldwide. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
  12. ^ "Live United | Contribute". Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  13. ^ "United Way Worldwide - Homepage". Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  14. ^ "Home Page". Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Inquiry finds no 'actionable' sexual bias at United Way". AP NEWS. 2021-02-05. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  16. ^ Dzhanova, Yelena. "United Way concluded it didn't retaliate against women who alleged harassment, but 3 women who filed complaints said no one contacted them for the investigation". Business Insider. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  17. ^ www.philanthropy.com https://www.philanthropy.com/article/united-way-worldwides-ceo-brian-gallagher-stepping-down-after-sexual-bias-and-harassment-complaints-roil-charity. Retrieved 2021-04-20. Missing or empty |title= (help)

External links[]

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