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The United Way

Although I did spend a significant amount of time searching for what agencies
receive the most funds from the United Way, this information was not easy to find. On the
annual report, various agencies that assist the United Way are listed. Many programs
implemented within the United Way receive funds, as well. According to the United Way Annual
Report (2013), the organization "advances the common good by focusing on education, income,
and health - building blocks for a good quality of life" (p. 2). For this reason, the United Way
most likely delegates their funds to agencies who promote these same causes. However,
according to Karger & Stoesz (2014), "The purpose of the local United Ways is to raise funds
that are then distributed to non-profit agencies in the community, most of which are United Way
members" (p. 129). This action coupled with a few corporate executives who were found to have
misappropriated funds may be detrimental to the United Way's reputation (Karger & Stoesz, pp.
129-130).
Services Offered
Some of the services offered by agencies within the Metro Detroit community include
education programs, feeding the hungry, and assistance with housing. According to United Way
for Southeastern Michigan (2014), some of the primary goals of their charitable funds are aimed
toward serving one million meals to children to ensure they do not go hungry, raising graduation
rates in historically low-performing schools, and helping families stay financially stable (para.
4).
My Opinion
As for whether I agree or disagree with the allocation of funds, I agree with the primary
goals of where the money goes. However, I find it surprising that specific agencies were not

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listed as beneficiaries of the funds. After reading the text and finding out that the agencies who
receive these funds are members of United Way, I was not surprised. I agree with the common
goals, but I do not agree with the way the funds are
allocated. Individuals who need the most help are more than likely not receiving it because the
funds are allocated by other agencies that are United Way members.
If I owned an agency like the United Way, I would target people who are in need and are
not being assisted by non-profit agencies that are members of United Way. I would conduct an
in-depth search of those from a lower socioeconomic class who are not as easily identified. I
would target smaller organizations or faith-based initiatives that assist large groups of people
with very minimal help from charitable organizations.

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References

2013 United Way Annual Report. (n.d.). Retrieved from:

https://secure.unitedway.org/page
/-/Financial/United_Way_Worldwide_2013_Annual_Report.pdf.
Karger, H., & Stoesz, D. (2014). American social welfare policy: a pluralistic approach
(7th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education.
United Way. What we do. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.liveunitedsem.org/whatwe-do.