UNITED WAY OF GREATER LAFAYETTE
POLICY FOR PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
The United Way of Greater Lafayette and Tippecanoe County, Inc., in considering the admission of new organizations and/or the continued participation of organizations in the United Way, is guided by the following criteria:
- General Policy
The United Way adheres to an “open door” policy of participation in federated fundraising taking into account the community need, standards of performance of the organization, stage of readiness of the community to accept certain types of enterprises for federated fundraising, and potential financial resources available at any given time for adequate support of present and proposed campaigns.
Application for participation will be considered from any incorporated not-for-profit organization, contributions to which are deductible under appropriate sections of the Internal Revenue Code, meeting a demonstrated human need in the field of health, welfare and/or character building in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. The organization shall render needed services in a manner and in a field of work that justifies inclusion in a broad financial federation. Organizations not eligible for participation include those organized primarily for cultural, religious, economic development or political purposes. State or national organizations with local agencies may be eligible if they have local sponsorship, presence and support. - Participation Requirements
A. The organization shall be operating under applicable State and Federal laws.
B. The organization shall have relevant Articles of Incorporation and current By Laws, a clearly defined mission (purpose), and be delivering programs or services in Tippecanoe County that support the mission of the organization.
C. The organization should have well-defined program or service outcomes/goals, have a plan to meet goals, and have a method for tracking outcomes/successes.
D. The organization shall be providing services continually for a minimum of 2 years or be positioned to respond to a need that is immediately necessary to the health and well being of the community.
E. The organization should have an affirmative action plan for its staff, board, volunteers and services delivered to ensure broad representation from the community.
F. The organization shall provide programs/services that are open to all persons in need without discrimination as is prohibited by federal, state, or local law.(This is not intended to prevent organizations from limiting certain programs to persons that meet appropriate eligibility guidelines.)
G. The organization shall demonstrate a willingness to secure funding from other resources (including client fees) with United Way dollars being used only after all other resources are expended. - Specific Criteria
The United Way shall take into account a number of factors in considering newparticipating organizations and evaluating existing participants. These include the capacity of the United Way to finance new services, duplication of existing services and the relative need for such services. Inaddition, organizations shall meet the following specific criteria:
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A. The governing body shall consist of no fewer than nine (9) members who serve without compensation and who meet a minimum of four (4) times per calendar year to ensure board control and direction of the organization. The organization shall have an appropriate provision for rotation of membership with membership limited to a maximum of six (6) consecutive years.
B.The organization shall establish and maintain sound financial practices and shall give to the United Way and its designated committees full access to financial records and procedures as well aspertinent information for purposes of evaluating the organization’s services and management practices. This includes financial disclosure for corporations, programs, foundations, endowments and/or trusts established for the purpose of making financial transactions on behalf of the participating organization, or for the immediate or future benefit of the organization, notwithstanding separate legal status.
Participating organizations are required to submit a copy of their certified independent audit to United Way within six months of the end of the organization’s fiscal year. A copy of the Management Letter (if provided by your CPA) and a letter from the Board Treasurer or President certifying that the audit was presented to and approved by the Board of Directors is also required.
United Way reserves the right to withhold disbursements based on the status of the organization’s audit and/or the auditor’s opinion. Beginning in 2004 all participating organizations are required to submit GAAP audits (reviews will not be accepted).
C.The organization shall participate in the United Way community investment process and submit annual outcome and budget information on the specified date using approved forms and format. The organizations shall submit budgeted and actual income and expense information to United Way on a quarterly basis. The organization shall use United Way funding in accordance with the community investment submission that yielded the funding decision.
D.The organization shall comply with United Way Blackout Policy regarding fundraising campaigns, membership drives and special events.
E.The organization shall work in cooperation with other organizations in planning and coordinating community services to eliminate duplication and gaps in services and to provide balanced and effective service to the community.
F.The organization shall cooperate with and participate in the annual United Way fundraising campaign.
G.The organization shall represent its United Wayparticipationin accordance with United Way brand guidelines.
- Provisional Participation
All new organizations will be considered provisional participants for a period of two years, during which they will be expected to demonstrate compliance with United Way’s expectations as defined by United Way. Provisional participants will be responsible for all reporting requirements detailed above.
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- Participant Withdrawal or Removal
A. If an organization desires to withdraw from participation, it shall give written notice of its intention to withdraw to the United Way Board of Directors so that payment for services is not made after the effective date of withdrawal, but written notice shall be given at least 10 days prior to withdrawal.
B. If United Way needs to remove an organizationfrom participation United Way shall give notice of its intentions. United Way may terminate the participationwith any organization by two-thirds vote of all voting members of the United Way Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board, provided, however; that said organization and each member of the United Way Board of Directors shall receive at least ten days written notice of such proposed action and the time and place of said meeting. (United Way By Laws, Section IX.9) - Waiver and Review
A. This policy is not inflexible and upon proper showing of need, portions shall be waived in appropriate circumstances.
B. This policy shall be reviewed at least every 5 years by the United Way Board of Directors to remain current.
Revised by the United Way Board of Directors on May 8, 2002
Revised and renamed by the United Way Board of Directors on October 27, 2010