Frequently-asked questions (FAQs)

What is United Way of Williamson County (UWWC)?
United Way of Williamson County is the combined entity of Georgetown Area United Way and the United Way of Greater Williamson County. United Way of Williamson County is a community-based problem solver that collaborates with community partners to:

increase awareness of local human service issues,
increase financial support for those agencies, and
support a response for human service issues in Williamson County.

Who decides where the money goes?
Local volunteers, representing different constituencies, study community needs and analyze the costs and benefits of providing local services.

Where does the money go?
Local volunteers decide which local agencies best meet the community's needs each year, and also decide on the appropriate level of funding for each agency.

Are agencies held to some standard?
Agencies that seek funding must meet the following basic standards:

Must have a governing board.
Must be a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization.
Must serve residents in Williamson County.
Must provide services at reasonable cost.
Must have a non-discrimination policy.

Do United Way partners just serve the poor?
Most people utilize a United Way agency at some point in their lives. United Way does provide services to many people who could not afford assistance otherwise. Following are examples of United Way-sponsored programs that are used throughout the Williamson County community, by people of all income levels:

youth programs (such as sports)
daycare programs (for both children and older adults)
food programs
literacy programs

How efficient is UWWC?
Our administrative (overhead) rate is 14.4%, based on the most recent Form 990 submitted to the IRS.

Why give? What's in it for me?
The personal satisfaction of knowing you can make a difference in people's lives:

Some agencies improve troubled lives, through mental health services or help in dealing with physical injury or illness.
Some agencies make good lives better — through child care, community centers, and youth services.
Some agencies make a difference in crisis situations, through natural disaster relief services and family violence intervention and prevention.

How much should I contribute?
A contribution is a personal decision only you can make. Each year, some needs in the community go unmet — due to a lack of funding — so give as generously as you can!