Public Policy
United Way knows that real and sustained change in community conditions requires more than money. That’s why our Public Policy staff works to educate and engage Members of Congress, the Administration, and other policymakers about the goals and priorities of the United Way movement and our commitment to education, financial stability, health and nonprofit sector strengthening issues.
SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE DEDUCTION
CONTACT CONGRESS TODAY TO PROTECT THE CHARITABLE DEDUCTION
View the United Way Letter to Congress in Support of the Charitable Deduction
Read the United Way Charitable Deduction Fact Sheet
UNITED WAY WORLDWIDE POLICY PRIORITIES
United Way Worldwide has released policy recommendations essential to advancing the common good in the areas of Education, Income and Health. Read the policy agenda.
The United Way system’s 10-year education goal is to cut the nation’s high school dropout rate in half; by 2018, 87% of high school seniors will graduate on time, up from 74% in 2006.
To accomplish this goal, United Way will focus on the following policy priorities:
- Access to Quality Early Learning Opportunities Beginning at Birth
- Middle and High School Retention and Re-enrollment
- Parent and Community Engagement in Education
The United Way system’s 10-year income goal is to cut in half the number of lower-income families who are financially unstable. By 2018, 82% of families with one or two parents working 50 or more weeks (combined) during the previous year and incomes less than 250% of the federal poverty level will spend less than 40%of their income on housing, down from 64% in 2006.
To accomplish this goal, United Way will focus on the following policy priorities:
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) (E-mail alert) (Call alert)
- Emergency Food and Shelter Program
- Affordable Housing
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The United Way system’s 10-year health goal is to increase by one-third the number of youth and adults who are healthy and avoid risky behavior. By 2018, 45% of youth and
47% of adults will be healthy and avoid risky behaviors, up from 34% of youth and 35% of adults in 2005.
To accomplish this goal, United Way will focus on the following policy priorities:
- Increasing Children’s Health Coverage
- Preserving Healthy Start Program Funding
- Improving Child and Maternal Nutrition
United Way will strongly support policy initiatives that seek to strengthen the nonprofit sector through expansion of the 2-1-1 system, tax policy, and policy incentives and regulations that encourage philanthropy and volunteerism.
To accomplish this goal, United Way will focus on the following policy priorities:
- Protecting the Federal Charitable Deduction for All Those Who Donate to Charity
- Preserving the Corporation for National and Community Service and AmeriCorps
- Establishing a 2-1-1 Partnership with the Federal Government
VIDEO LINKS
Thursday, August 11, 2011
United Way Worldwide Webinar: "The Budget Control Act and Our Work"
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
IN THE NEWS
August 27, 2011
April 12, 2011
April 6, 2011
March 27, 2011
February 17, 2011
February 4, 2011
December 29, 2010
December 2, 2010
PUBLIC POLICY LETTERS
United Way Worldwide has written to President Barack Obama, key administration officials and the U.S. Congress on our top policy priorities.
- Letter in support of Charitable Deduction FY2012 (Read)
- Letter in support of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program and the Charitable Deduction (Read)
- Letter in support of Early Childhood Funding (Read)
- Letter in support of Parent Information and Resource Centers (Read)
- Letter in support of the National Housing Trust Fund (Read)
- Letter in support of extending tax provisions set to expire in 2011 (Read)
Helpful Resources
- Government Grants: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website offers information on over 100 government grant programs
- Tools for Community Organizations: The Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services has published capacity building toolkits for community organizations.
