Financials and Policies
United Way of Larimer County, like the 1,300 other United Ways in the nation, is an autonomous 501(c)(3) organization that is governed by a local, all-volunteer Board of Directors and is audited, each year, by an independent accounting firm.
United Way of Larimer County maintains the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, and transparency in our stewardship of contributor dollars and financial management. Internal control procedures include a rigid system of checks and balances that prevent the same individuals from handling transactions in isolation and deter questionable activities.
Understanding Administrative Costs & Maximizing Your Impact
At United Way of Larimer County, we strive to ensure that your donations have the maximum possible impact on the programs and causes you care about. Thanks to the generosity of our Cornerstone Partners, who cover most of our administrative and fundraising expenses, 90 cents of every dollar you give is directed to the specific fund, program, or agency of your choice. This means that just 10% of your donation will be reserved to cover essential administrative costs.
What Are Administrative Costs?
Administrative costs refer to the necessary expenses required to keep our organization running smoothly and effectively. These costs include fundraising, gift processing, communications, and the financial and technical systems needed to manage your donations responsibly. While these costs are an essential part of operating a nonprofit organization, we understand that donors prefer their contributions to go directly to the causes they support.
Why 10%?
Our policy sets aside 10% of your donation for administrative costs, a rate that is still significantly lower than the average administrative cost assessment by other nonprofits in our community and across the country. Studies show that typical administrative cost rates range between 10% and 20%, making our approach one of the most efficient in the sector. We are grateful to our Cornerstone Partners, whose generous support allows us to keep this percentage on the lower end of the spectrum.
Why Your Support Matters
We appreciate that donors may not seek to support administrative costs directly, but these costs are vital to ensuring that our programs and initiatives succeed. Without a talented, dedicated staff and the infrastructure to support them, the impactful work we do in the community would not be possible. Your contribution, including the 10% reserved for administrative costs, ensures that we can continue to make a difference while maintaining transparency and efficiency in everything we do.
Thank you for your continued trust and support in helping us create lasting change in our community.
- Due to a special agreement with the companies, there will be no administrative costs assessed on any Intel, Century Link or Kaiser Permanente employee gifts.
- Due to a special agreement with Combined Federal Campaign, Colorado Combined Campaign, United Way of Weld County, and Foothills United Way, there will be no administrative costs assessed on designations to these organizations.
- Administrative costs are not assessed on sponsorships, program grants, program service fee revenue, and in-kind revenue.
Leadership Recognition Policy
United Way of Larimer County recognizes the generosity of leadership donors in our annual report. The following is our recognition policy:
All requests in the “Annual Report Recognition Listing” section of the pledge form will be honored.
If the donor does not complete the “Annual Report Recognition Listing” section of the pledge form, his or her name will be listed exactly as it appears at the top of this pledge form.
All leadership donors must fill in the “Please list my/our names as follows” lines if they would like their names to appear differently than it appears at the top of the pledge form. This includes all donors who would like the listing to include their spouse’s names. Indicating that a gift is in combination with another donor is not an indication of the donor’s recognition listing.
All leadership donors will be listed unless they check the “Please do not list my name” checkbox in the “Leadership Donor” section of this pledge form.
A request from either donor to have both names listed together will override a request to be listed separately. In other words, if either donor in a combined giver relationship requests to be listed with the other combined giver, both names will be listed together.
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy FAQ
We here at United Way of Larimer County recognize the importance of protecting the information we collect.
The following information concerning the gathering and use of data is being provided to enable you to make informed decisions about whether to provide information, and to give you the opportunity to limit the manner in which data is used.
What information do we collect and how do we use it?
United Way of Larimer County collects personal information from donors, volunteers, and event attendees. The information we collect may include: name, address, phone number, email address, donation amount, age, event attendance, and interests.
United Way of Larimer County may use your information for communications to notify you of upcoming events, the impact of your charitable gift or volunteer experience, organization newsletters, and other general information relating to United Way of Larimer County.
For the purposes of executing a donation transaction, we may collect your credit card or bank account information. Protecting this information is a top priority for United Way of Larimer County. As such, United Way of Larimer County utilizes a Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliant processing system, and we regularly review our procedures and systems for compliance with federal regulations and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards.
Please see “Can I opt out of communications from United Way of Larimer County?” for further information regarding cancellation of communication and use of your information.
How are third-party processors utilized?
United Way of Larimer County may utilize a third-party service provider to collect donations. These third-party service providers may collect your bank or credit card information to process a transaction, and that information is not passed on to United Way of Larimer County. All third-party processors utilized by United Way of Larimer County conform to security industry standards for online contributions.
Does United Way of Larimer County sell or share donor information and names with other organizations?
United Way of Larimer County takes precautions to keep donor and constituent information disclosed to us secure. We will not disclose, sell, share, trade or rent any personally identifiable data collected. United Way of Larimer County will not send any donor mailings on behalf of other organizations. To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and to ensure the appropriate use of information, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect.
United Way of Larimer County will only release personally identifiable data about you when required by law or to comply with valid legal processes such as a search warrant, subpoena, or court order.
Can I opt out of communications from United Way of Larimer County?
Yes, you can! If donors and constituents tell us that they do not wish to have their personal information used as a basis for further contact, we will respect those wishes. If donors or volunteers wish to review or correct their personal information we have collected, or to request removal from our contact list, call United Way of Larimer County’s main office at 970-407-7000 or email office@uwaylc.org.
Any opt-outs from e-newsletters and other mailings will be processed as soon as possible. However, you may receive further communications from us while we process your request. We appreciate your patience and understand.
Privacy and Website Usage
Using Google Analytics, United Way of Larimer County tracks non-identifying website visitor information, such as the number of visitors, new vs. returning visitors, pages visited, length of page view, etc. This information is used to improve our website, content, and the user experience.
Our website also uses cookies. Cookies are pieces of information stored in your browser, and are used industry-wide. They are not software and cannot alter your computer or files in any way, but are used to improve user experience, and do things like store your passwords for future use. If you do not want to use cookies with our website, you can modify your browsers settings to reject cookies.
All donations made through our website are processed through a secure connection using HTTPS SSL protocol to ensure the confidentiality of donor information. This is the industry standard for receiving donor information in a secure way.
Modification of privacy policy
United Way of Larimer County will maintain and revise this privacy policy at any time, and will post any revisions to this page. Site visitors continued use of our site provides consent to this policy.
How do I contact United Way of Larimer County?
Phone: 970.407.7000
Email: office@uwaylc.org
Mail or Visitation: 525 W Oak Street, Suite 101, Fort Collins, CO 80521
Fax: 970.407.7099
Tax Receipting Policy
GENERAL TAX RECEIPTS
- United Way of Larimer County will automatically issue tax receipts to individual donors who contribute verifiable cash equivalent amounts of $250.00 or more and did not receive goods or services
- Tax receipts will be emailed or mailed no later than mid-February for donor contributions.
- Cash equivalent or payment methods include cash, check, ACH, stock, credit card, and some payroll. In order for United Way to issue a tax receipt to a donor, payroll payments must be accompanied by employee detail from the employer.
- A donor may contact the Operations Department to request a tax receipt, duplicate tax receipt, or address questions at any time in the year regardless of contribution amount. Payment must be verified prior to issue and 24 hours notice is required.
- A tax receipt cannot be issued for special event or sponsorship contributions. United Way cannot verify that the donor did not receive any goods or services in return for a contribution.
ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE SOCIETY
- United Way of Larimer County will automatically issue tax receipts to all Alexis de Tocqueville Society members who contribute all verifiable cash equivalent amounts and did not receive goods or services.
- Tax receipts will be emailed no later than mid-February for all donor contributions.
- Cash equivalent or payments methods include cash, check, ACH, stock, credit card, and some payroll. In order for United Way to issue a tax receipt to a donor, payroll payments must be accompanied by employee detail from the employer.
- A donor may contact the Operations Department to request a tax receipt, duplicate tax receipt, or address questions at any time in the year regardless of contribution amount. Payment must be verified prior to issue and 24 hours notice is required.
- A tax receipt cannot automatically be issued for special event or sponsorship contributions. United Way cannot verify that the donor did not receive any goods or services in return for a contribution. Upon request by the donor for a receipt and verified documentation has been approved, a tax receipt will be issued.
COLORADO CHILD CARE CONTRIBUTION TAX CREDIT CERTIFICATION
- United Way of Larimer County will automatically issue Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Certifications – DR1317 – to individual donors for verifiable amounts contributed and designated to the following Colorado qualifying child care programs:
- United Way of Larimer County Child Care Fund
- Eligible Agencies/Programs of funded agencies of United Way of Larimer County
- Donors who wish to receive a DR1317 for designations to other qualifying programs in Colorado must notify United Way that the program is eligible. United Way will verify eligibility and must receive evidence from the qualifying program. Evidence of eligibility includes:
- A Permanent Child Care License, with current eligibility documentation provided by the Colorado Department of Human Services, or
- A Colorado Department of Revenue certification letter indicating your program’s eligibility and DOR registration number.
- Certifications will be emailed or mailed no later than mid-February for all donor contributions.
- In-Kind contributions of property and stock do not qualify for the credit.
- In order for United Way to issue a certification to a payroll donor, payroll payments must be accompanied by employee detail from the employer.
- A donor may contact the Operations Department to request a DR1317 or duplicate DR1317 at any time in the year regardless of contribution amount. Payment and designation to qualifying child care program must be verified prior to issue and 3 days notice is required.
COLORADO ENTERPRISE ZONE TAX CREDIT
- United Way of Larimer County will send donor contribution information to the state for amounts contributed and designated to the following Colorado qualifying Enterprise Zone Projects associated with United Way of Larimer County;
- United Way of Larimer County 2-1-1
- The state will issue a certification to the donor at the time of contribution.
- United Way cannot submit contribution information if the donation comes through United Way to other programs that are also approved Enterprise Zone Projects/Agencies a State Enterprise Zone tax credit. Those qualified agencies must issue the credit for those donors.
IRS AND COLORADO STATE INFORMATION
- The IRS does not require charities to issue receipts for contributions, but they do require donors to be able to substantiate all contributions in order to take a deduction. United Way automatically distributes tax receipts to donors as a service to the donor.
- Documentation to substantiate a contribution must indicate:
- The name of the qualified organization
- The calendar year of the contribution
- The amount of the contribution
- For cash, check, ACH, or credit card donations a bank record or statement, canceled check, or credit card statement is sufficient proof because it contains the three points of information required by the IRS. Otherwise, a written tax receipt is sufficient documentation.
- For payroll a pay stub, W-2, or other employer furnished document and Pledge Card is sufficient documentation for the donor. Otherwise, a written tax receipt is sufficient documentation.
- When a donor makes a monetary contribution to a Colorado qualifying child care program, they may claim an income tax credit of 50% of the total contribution.
- When a donor makes a direct monetary contribution to a Colorado qualifying enterprise zone, they may claim an income tax credit of 25% of the total contribution.
Statement of non-discrimination and equal opportunity
United Way is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the principle of diversity.
AS AN ORGANIZATION, WE:
- Value, champion, and embrace diversity as an integral part of their business;
- Respect co-workers and other individuals without regard to Race, Color, Religion, Creed, National Origin, Ancestry, Sex, Pregnancy, Age, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Physical or Mental Disability, Marriage to a Co-Worker (non-supervisory related), and Retaliation for Engaging in Protected Activity (opposing a discriminatory practice or participating in an employment discrimination proceeding) Support equal opportunity programs
- Refuse to engage in or tolerate in others any form of harassment or discrimination.
Equal employment opportunity covers all phases of this policy including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, compensation, layoff, discipline, benefits termination, promotion, and training.
UWLC will conduct its business, including programs and activities, in facilities accessible to persons with disabilities, to the extent practicable.
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FORT COLLINS OFFICE
525 West Oak St, Ste 101
Fort Collins, CO 80521
970.407.7000
office@uwaylc.org