What Does United Way do?

United Way of the Brazos Valley works to improve health, expand education and address essential needs for every person in the Brazos Valley. In short, United Way helps people by connecting people with resources to improve the lives of every person in the Brazos Valley. Click here for more information.

What is United Way of the Brazos Valley’s service area?

United Way of the Brazos Valley serves the seven counties that make up the Brazos Valley, including Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson and Washington county.

Who oversees United Way of the Brazos Valley?

United Way of the Brazos Valley is a local, volunteer-led organization. They are governed by a local Board of Directors who represent many sectors within the Brazos Valley. The Board develops the strategic direction, sets policies and ensures capable staffing. The United Way of the Brazos Valley employs full-time and part-time employees who work with the Board of Directors and other leadership and community volunteers. Click here for more information.

How is United Way of the Brazos Valley connected to other United Ways?

United Way of the Brazos Valley is an independent and self-governed member of the United Way Worldwide network. United Way of the Brazos Valley meets the annual membership requirements and receive benefits such as training, national advertising and public policy support and the ability to draw on best practices of United Ways throughout the country. While United Way of the Brazos Valley is a member of United Way Worldwide, they are not a branch office or division of United Way Worldwide. Each United Way is independent from one another which allows them to adapt to the communities they serve.

How much of United Way of the Brazos Valley’s annual budget is spent on administration?

United Way of the Brazos Valley’s most recent annual audit showed a 16% administrative cost, meaning that 84% of dollars donated are used to provide services to people in the Brazos Valley.

How can I find help for myself or someone I know?

Brazos Valley residents can simply dial 2-1-1, a free confidential non-emergency hotline that will connect them to local health and community resources. 2-1-1 Texas is available 24/7/365 in more than 90 languages and is also available online at 211texas.org. United Way of the Brazos Valley’s 2-1-1 Call Specialists can connect you with important community services such as child care, rent and utility assistance, food pantries, and much more. Click here for more information.

Giving

Why should I give to United Way?

United Way is an agent of change working to create long-term solutions to the challenges facing our community while also working to address immediate needs. Your gift is combined with thousands of others and invested in initiatives and programs essential to achieving United Way’s goals in health, education and financial stability. Click here for more information.

How can I give?

Giving to United Way of the Brazos Valley is easy. Here are three easy options!

• Donate online at anytime by clicking here
• Make a gift through payroll deductions during your company’s annual United Way campaign.
• Mail a gift or drop it by our office:

1716 Briarcrest Dr., Ste. 155, Bryan, TX 77802 (Galleria Building, Aldi’s side)
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
979-696-4483

If you would like to make a gift contribution in a different way, please contact us at 979-696-4483.

How do I know my money is going to be well spent?

United Way of the Brazos Valley takes each and every contribution very seriously and holds themselves to high standards. United Way of the Brazos Valley is governed by a community, volunteer-led Board of Directors and has an external audit completed annually by a reputable accounting firm. Additionally, United Way invests contributions back into the Brazos Valley community through a vigorous volunteer-led grant review process to determine United Way’s Community Impact Partners. Each nonprofit partner is reviewed by a panel of volunteers to ensure that funds are utilized in a way to create maximum impact in the Brazos Valley.

Why should I give to United Way instead of directly to an agency or group?

United Way of the Brazos Valley looks at the big issues that impact all aspects of the community. Instead of funding just one nonprofit, gifts made directly to United Way of the Brazos Valley are distributed through a competitive grant process, so they support the most effective local programs to create the broadest impact in the areas of health, education and financial stability. United Way also helps build a network of nonprofit organizations through our Community Impact Partners. Although each Community Impact Partner is focused on their specific mission, they are connected through their common goals. If you are passionate about a specific cause, contact us about opportunities to target your gift to one of United Way’s impact areas – health, education and financial stability.

But what if I want to make a contribution to a specific nonprofit through United Way?

If you have a special interest in one of United Way’s impact areas – health, education or financial stability – you may designate your gift to that cause on your pledge form. If there is a specific initiative or agency partner you’d like to support, you can also designate a portion of your gift. Click here for more information.

Are United Way donations tax-deductible?

United Way of the Brazos Valley is a federally registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by an individual’s or corporation’s circumstances. Those contributing through payroll deduction in their workplace should keep a copy of their pledge form and maintain their last pay stub of the tax year or Form W-2 from their employer that summarizes the amount withheld for United Way. For donations received through cash, check or credit card over $250, a letter of receipt will be mailed by January 30 of each year.

What if I feel pressured to give?

Neither United Way nor its volunteers believe people should be forced to give. We discourage coercion in any form. Any semblance of pressure (whether real, implied or perceived) is contradictory to United Way’s operating standards. If you feel that you have been pressured to give in a workplace campaign, please contact your Employee Campaign Coordinator to express your concern or contact us.

Programs, Initiatives & Services

What organizations does United Way support?

United Way of the Brazos Valley currently invests in programs hosted by 28 Community Impact Partners. Additionally, United Way supports collaborative Investment Initiatives to address specific needs in the Brazos Valley, including 2-1-1 Texas, the Early Literacy Program, Ride2Health and the Youth Leadership Cabinet.

Why does United Way support a system of programs instead of a specific cause?

Instead of focusing on one single cause, United Way of the Brazos Valley invests in a system of programs and services across the areas of health, education and financial stability to meet the varied needs of the people in the Brazos Valley. United Way views these areas as interconnected. They’re often complicated with no one single solution. Therefore, United Way of the Brazos Valley invests in organizations to help them make the biggest impact possible, both independently and in partnership with each other.

How does United Way decide which programs to fund?

Every three years, organizations are eligible to apply for programmatic investment funds called Community Impact Grants. A volunteer committee makes investment decisions based on an organization’s impact, alignment to United Way of the Brazos Valley’s Bold Goals and accountability. All funding is contingent upon the organization’s sound operation, delivery of services and achievement of measurable outcomes. Funded organizations become Community Impact Partners. Click here for more information.