United Way Time
It's that time of year again around the office. I just completed my United Way pledge for 2013.
They had a question this time about how many years you've been a contributor, and I realized that nearly every company I've worked for has provided payroll deduction for United Way contributions. Which means I'm firmly in the 10-24 year "loyal contributor" category. Seriously, this is the easiest thing in the world to do. On top of this though, I'm working out a formal plan for a monthly "tithe" if you will, to other groups/efforts that aren't associated with United Way. Up til now, that's been kind of slap-dash, but I've got a few regulars, so I figure I can make it a habit, and that will be easy too. Plus, it has the benefit of being able to sincerely say to telemarketers, "I'm sorry, my charity budget for the year is fully committed." It sounds so much better (to me) than "No."
The other thing I realized though, was that I have a very well defined method to my giving, even though I may feel like it's slap-dash.
60 % Directed Contributions:
20% each to Planned Parenthood, Habitat for Humanity and the local Wheelchair Recycling program.
40% "Best Use" Contributions:
20% each to organizations that ensure "People's Health Issues are Identified and Treated Early" and to organizations that work to "Reduce Family Homelessness."
So, 40% of my workplace contribution goes toward home/shelter, and 60% to healthcare
The kicker is my employer matches my contribution 100% in the county I live in. I'm sure they just dump it in the general fund and United Way gets to decide where to spend it, but that's why I alway choose my beneficiaries. I'm open to suggestions for future additions - I've managed to up my contribution every year, so next year I'll probably be able to add/redistribute again (I hate reducing any particular amount, but I can redistribute the Best Use into the Directed category easily).
The rest of the year, my not-yet-formalized-system has me giving to AAMDS (research in bone marrow failure diseases), OTW, my and DH's former universities, local food banks, various public radio stations, and the ever-present Goodwill/St Vinny's (either as a donator or a purchaser). Some of these are also matched by my employer, if I remember to get the form and send it in. This is why I need to formalize my system - why send $25-50 when it can just as easily be $50-100, right?
Of the non-workplace contributions, they usually go to organizations from which I or my family have personally benefitted, and they usually have to do with health and shelter. Food = love is a big player in my personal philosophy so no surprise that's a favorite spot to donate. An overlapping chunk is what I think of as my "subversive" contribution to society - public radio and OTW, and Planned Parenthood. When I didn't have the option of workplace contributions, I always contributed directly to Planned Parenthood and Habitat. In fact, I've probably contributed the most to PP over the years, because no matter how strapped I am, that shit's important (and this slut votes with her money as well as at the polls).
Anyway, I'm always happy to fill out my annual pledge form. I've probably multiplied my contribution by 10 in the 30-ish years I've participated. My first job in SF, CA was my intro, and I could only handle a couple bucks a pay period in '85. It all adds up over time though, and matching grants are the bomb.
They had a question this time about how many years you've been a contributor, and I realized that nearly every company I've worked for has provided payroll deduction for United Way contributions. Which means I'm firmly in the 10-24 year "loyal contributor" category. Seriously, this is the easiest thing in the world to do. On top of this though, I'm working out a formal plan for a monthly "tithe" if you will, to other groups/efforts that aren't associated with United Way. Up til now, that's been kind of slap-dash, but I've got a few regulars, so I figure I can make it a habit, and that will be easy too. Plus, it has the benefit of being able to sincerely say to telemarketers, "I'm sorry, my charity budget for the year is fully committed." It sounds so much better (to me) than "No."
The other thing I realized though, was that I have a very well defined method to my giving, even though I may feel like it's slap-dash.
60 % Directed Contributions:
20% each to Planned Parenthood, Habitat for Humanity and the local Wheelchair Recycling program.
40% "Best Use" Contributions:
20% each to organizations that ensure "People's Health Issues are Identified and Treated Early" and to organizations that work to "Reduce Family Homelessness."
So, 40% of my workplace contribution goes toward home/shelter, and 60% to healthcare
The kicker is my employer matches my contribution 100% in the county I live in. I'm sure they just dump it in the general fund and United Way gets to decide where to spend it, but that's why I alway choose my beneficiaries. I'm open to suggestions for future additions - I've managed to up my contribution every year, so next year I'll probably be able to add/redistribute again (I hate reducing any particular amount, but I can redistribute the Best Use into the Directed category easily).
The rest of the year, my not-yet-formalized-system has me giving to AAMDS (research in bone marrow failure diseases), OTW, my and DH's former universities, local food banks, various public radio stations, and the ever-present Goodwill/St Vinny's (either as a donator or a purchaser). Some of these are also matched by my employer, if I remember to get the form and send it in. This is why I need to formalize my system - why send $25-50 when it can just as easily be $50-100, right?
Of the non-workplace contributions, they usually go to organizations from which I or my family have personally benefitted, and they usually have to do with health and shelter. Food = love is a big player in my personal philosophy so no surprise that's a favorite spot to donate. An overlapping chunk is what I think of as my "subversive" contribution to society - public radio and OTW, and Planned Parenthood. When I didn't have the option of workplace contributions, I always contributed directly to Planned Parenthood and Habitat. In fact, I've probably contributed the most to PP over the years, because no matter how strapped I am, that shit's important (and this slut votes with her money as well as at the polls).
Anyway, I'm always happy to fill out my annual pledge form. I've probably multiplied my contribution by 10 in the 30-ish years I've participated. My first job in SF, CA was my intro, and I could only handle a couple bucks a pay period in '85. It all adds up over time though, and matching grants are the bomb.