Fewer donors, more choices put squeeze on agency: United Way struggles with identity

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel ^ | 8/31/03 | BRUCE MURPHY

[Theodore R.]

Some right-to-lifers won't give to the United Way because it collects gifts for NARAL, Planned Parenthood, and other such "reproductive choice" organizations. The United Way will not filter contributions to the various Right to Life groups. Few conservative groups are included under the banner of UW.

Some UW organizations have also expelled the Boy Scouts, but not the more liberal Girl Scouts, from their lists.

[dandelion]

I stopped giving to the United Way when they stopped giving to the Boy Scouts - ESPECIALLY when they insisted on putting out a press release every time they dropped a region.

For years, I worked with the Boy Scouts to collect donations for the United Way. Now, I take my money directly to the Boy Scouts, and leave the United way out of the loop altogether. I also tell everyone I know about the corruption of United Way Executives, as often and as loudly as possible.

I wonder when the United Way is going to get the picture - maybe after they go bankrupt...

[GOP_Proud]

I stopped giving when they took the side of the homosexuals in the Boys Scout issue. Their money does not go to Boys Scout troops that refuse admission to homosexuals.

[Bobby777]

I haven't given 10 cents to the United Way since they tried to force the Boy Scouts to elect gay leaders ... and I won't ever give them another nickel ...

pick your charities, folks, and give to them directly ...

[McGavin999]

Maybe the problem is the community didn't like the changes the United Way had in mind. The Boy Scout fiasco comes to mind.

[boycott]

I stopped giving when they took the side of the homosexuals in the Boys Scout issue. Their money does not go to Boys Scout troops that refuse admission to homosexuals.

That's when I quit giving to the shake-down artists.

[Jean S]

I've never donated and never will. In the early 70's I had my first "real" job at a brokerage house. I didn't have much money so I decided not to donated when the company was having it's annual United Way drive. There was so much pressure from management on supervisors to get everyone to donate that my boss gave in my name.

I decided then that I would never give them a cent.

[justanotherfreeper]

Its interesting the article mentions the disconnect between the elites (read: liberal scum) who run United Way and the average lower and middle class donor who actually give to them. United Way gives to every left-wing, trendy cause you can think of, including lots of baby killers. The Boy Scouts was just the last straw in a whole bale of reasons not to give to these boneheads. I give directly to charities and my church, and wouldn't throw water on UW if they were on fire.

[lilylangtree]

Won't ever give to United Way because of their stance on the Scouts. Hope the organization drops out of sight. Or at least eliminate these leftist organizations they support.

[southernnorthcarolina]

I see the article is the "first of three parts," so I'll won't be too critical, yet. But I see no mention of the decision by some United Way chapters to fund Planned Parenthood, and to defund the Boy Scouts (among other "politically correct" decisions); I see no mention of the high-on-the-hog donation-funded lifestyle of former United Way officers; and I see no mention of the United Way's sleazy, near-extortion method of fundraising.

There is no reason to give to this outfit -- unless your job depends on it, which it just might. Sadly, the only reason many people give is because they are pressured to do so by their corporate superiors. Of course, your promotion or even your continued employment won't depend on your making a pledge, or agreeing to serve as a United Way fundraiser (shaking down your fellow employees), you understand. Of course not.

[PeterPrinciple]

"But the organization has a second, unannounced goal: to begin quietly arresting the growth of donor choice."


Stupid People, they should be encouraging more donor choice. Yes, they know better where to spend my money than I do.

Having said that, I don't give as much as I used to to institutions. Churches seem to have forgotten their orginal purpose and just want to build buildings and hire services.

[RJL]

United Way has been following the far left liberal line. They have long been a supporter of abortion through Planned Parenthood and recently they have been cutting money to the Boy Scouts.

By donating directly to your favorite charity you eliminate the 6% fee to the United Way.

[friendly]

Don't support the United Way's campaign to let NAMBLA pedophiles run Boy Scout Troops, or to murder American babies by the abortion killing industry.

Not one penny to the United Way. I support a lot of charities, but on a case by case individual basis.

[duckbutt]

This article was dishonest in that it didn't discuss the constant problems UW has had with directors on the national level embezzling funds; it also didn't discuss the atrocous way the United Way treats the Boy Scouts.

I'm 52 and I don't cave to the pressure at work to support UW. I give directly, via payroll deduction, to the local boy scout council. They can stick that in their pipe and smoke it.....

I'm all for "choice" in this regard.....why can't these liberals in sheep's clothing be for individuals exercising their "choice" in what charities they want to support? Hypocrites!!

[Robert A Cook PE]

Gee - This drop in donations wouldn't have anything to do with the democrat's consistant increase in taxes?

With the liberals in the United Way's HATRED of the Boy Scouts, any right to life groups, and simple (christian) virtues of morals, ethics, and honesty?

[Paul Atreides]

Dear United Gay,

I am one of those people who doesn't believe in turning the Boy Scouts into a homosexual delicatessen. Therefore, you can do without my money. I suggest that you make up for my lack of giving by asking a homosexual for a double donation.

Sincerely,

Paul Atreides

[Paul Atreides]

Which charity was it that was taking donations for the 9-11 victims and using it for P.C. tolerance ads? Was it United Way?

[Paleo Conservative]

United Way has more than a century-long history, most of that under the name Community Chest. But the idea behind it has always been the same: to have a unified drive that would eliminate duplication and reduce fund-raising expenses for local charities. In thrifty Milwaukee, that goal was implicit in the group's original name: the Central Council of Philanthropies.

With the internet becoming ubiquitous, it ist very easy and inexpensive to send money to groups whose missions are in agreement with my philosophy. I don't need to send money to middlmen like the United Way who skim off a hefty percentages to pay bloated six-figure salaries to their board of directors and impose leftist ideology on the recipient organizations. I would like to see high traffic conservative website start to post links to worthy but lesser known conservative charitable organizations.

[meenie]

Give to the Salvation Army and USO in the national organizations. They support our armed forces and veterans hospitals wholeheartedly. Let your desire govern local charities.