United Way Retirees Association

 ENDOWMENT FUND

Honoring Retired United Way Professionals

In Memory of Gordon Berg

 

Answers to Possible Questions  

Q - What is the mission of UWRA?

A – Two-fold mission

1.        To help  United Ways improve the quality of life for communities they serve, and

2.        To improve the quality of life for UWRA members

 

As the only organization dedicated to United Way retirees, UWRA is committed to providing programs that support this mission.

 

Q – What are the purposes of the UWRA Endowment?

            A –

1.       Broaden and strengthen our mission in a way not possible through annual revenue.

2.       Increase our impact on communities, the profession, and fellow retirees.

 

Q - Why do we need a UWRA Endowment?

A - We are making progress toward our goals but we can do more. UWRA programs are facing growing demand from local United Ways, especially among those with limited staff.  In addition our ability to provide services and/or be an advocate for UW retirees is limited due to current resources.

   

Q – Why give to the UWRA Endowment Fund?

A - A gift to the UWRA Endowment Fund honoring you, the retired UW professional will perpetuate itself through managed investments, growing each year as a portion is used to carry on in the spirit of the unselfish contributions you made to our communities.  The UWRA Endowment Fund provides a means for retirees to continue to invest themselves and their resources for community betterment and to better the lives of retirees.

Q – Who decided how funds be dispersed?

A – Survey feedback from our members, indicating which services were of the highest priority in the future years for UWRA, has provided the initial direction for the disbursement of funds.  The UWRA Board of Directors has approved targeting the Endowment income to:

1.       Giving continual service to local United Ways, with special emphasis on increasing our Mentoring program to professionals serving those United Ways.

2.       Adding to and building member services to retirees.

3.       Fostering the development of leadership in the UW field.

4.       Ensuring the flexibility and stability of UWRA and ability to respond to crisis situations.

 

Q – What is the Endowment fundraising progress to date?

 

A- The nationwide Endowment campaign was officially kicked off in November 2005 complementing the 100% UWRA Board and Endowment Committee participation which began in 2004.  To date approximately $220,000 has been raised of which an estimated $107,000 (49%) is in cash.

 

Q - What additional program capacity will the Endowment help provide?

           

A - At this time, several program areas need further development, as follows:

 

1.       Mentoring - The program works and is highly rated by Mentees.  The need is               greater than we can fulfill.  Mentors are volunteer UWRA members.   In the past we have been able to support 10 mentoring relationships per program year.   Twenty relationships are desirable annually.  We need $500,000 in Endowment money to produce $25,000 annually to double the service, train people, and increase resources.

 

2.       Service to Members - Services that can be offered to members are limited due to funding – we would like to expand what UWRA is currently doing for members. To add to current service levels, $10,000 more annually would provide for program development.  We need $200,000 to endow more programs.  Member services are currently being reviewed.

 

3.       Crisis Response/Emergency Assistance to local United Ways - UWRA provides valuable assistance but response is currently limited due to funding.  More adequate funding could:

a)       Provide retiree coordination of resources in an emergency

b)      Pay appropriate expenses to send a retiree to UW communities in crisis

c)       Establish a “crisis response fund” 

We need $10,000 annually, or Endowment funds of $200,000, to do this.

 

1.        Leadership  Development and Promotion of  Professionalism - UWRA provides valuable assistance in the Mentoring of new professionals within the UW system but would like to further extend services to foster leadership development.  We need $5,000 annually ($100,000 in Endowment funds) to increase services to promote professionalism in the field.  One idea is to fund research as to why some professionals stay in the field and others leave.

 

Other needs will emerge with time.  The Board and membership will work to add even further value to the UW system and help take care of each other.

 

 

Q - What is the goal of Endowment fundraising?

 

A-   Based on the above analysis of program development our five year objective is to raise $1million in cash and $2 million in expectancies from planned gifts or bequests.

 

 Q – Are there really going to be enough funds to make a difference?

 

A – Your gift to the UWRA Endowment Fund, managed by the Foundation For The Carolinas (FFTC), along with others, will continue to grow while a portion is used each year to fund the services targeted by our membership. Reaching the goal set above will generate $50,000 annually:  

 

ACTIVITY                                          ENDOWMENT                                  INCOME

Mentoring                                           $500,000                                             $25,000

Service to Members                           $200,000                                             $10,000

Flexibility- New Initiatives&

Emergency Response                        $200,000                                             $10,000

Leadership Development                   $100,000                                             $  5,000

                                                          $1,000,000                                             $50,000

 

Q - Does UWRA duplicate what UWA is doing or could be doing?

 

A - No. UWRA enhances and adds our unique experience to the mix of services by our investment in communities and our personal involvement. By the nature of our membership (retirees and professionals in the United Way system) we offer the United Way field unique knowledge, experience, and expertise of the United Way system as well as nationwide coverage in a currently resource challenged UW environment.

 

The Endowment is the best way to insure UWRA will continue to grow programs.  We are the only organization that focuses on UW retirees. This has long been recognized by local United Ways, many of whom support UWRA through gifts each year.

 

Retirees can best make decisions on retirees. We provide a means for retirees to continue to invest themselves and their resources for community betterment.

 

UWRA works in partnership with UWA whose common objective is to positively impact communities.  UWRA is in constant communication with UWA and them with us when activities are identified that can best utilize the talents and assistance of retirees.

 

Q – Why is the UWRA Endowment established in memory of Gordon Berg?

 

A – Gordon was the founder and first President of UWRA and a long time United Way leader including 20 years as the Executive Director of the UW in Charlotte, NC and the Associate Director of Community Chests and Councils of America (the predecessor of United Way of America).

 

Q - What entity is to receive and manage Endowment resources in order to carry out the UWRA Board’s objectives?

 

A - The Foundation For The Carolinas (FFTC) in Charlotte, NC will manage and invest the gifts to the Endowment.  The FFTC, in addition to the United Way of the Central Carolinas have given $10,000 in an outright contribution and $12,500 in matching monies. Gordon Berg was the Executive Director of the United Way of the Central Carolinas for 20 years and upon his retirement from United Way helped create and became the first President of what is now the FFTC, a $400 million community foundation.

Q – What are the Roles and Responsibilities of the UWRA Endowment Committee, UWRA Board, and the Foundation For The Carolinas?

 

            A –

1.       The UWRA Endowment Committee makes recommendations on endowment policies, materials, and disbursements of funds to the UWRA Board of Directors.

2.       The UWRA Board of Directors makes the final decisions regarding policies and recommendations on the disbursements of funds in keeping with UWRA’s continuous overview of our purpose and changing needs.

3.       The managing and investment of gifts will be handled by the FFTC.

 

Q - Who are the UWRA Board members on the Endowment Committee?

 

A –

Dick Aft                                Leon Matthews

Tom Brown                           Henry Monaco

Alan Cooper                          Don Morgan, Co-chair

Anthony Folcarelli                  Sunshine Overkamp

Elizabeth (Ducky) Gower       Don Sanders, Co-chair

Bernard Hyman                               Alice Thacker               

 

Q - Is there a way I can give that won’t harm my low cash position?

 

A - Yes, there are ways. For instance, rather than current dollars, your estate could provide an investment through a bequest.  There are several ways to assure that your heirs are remembered and also provide for UWRA. We’ll help you find a way.

 

Q – In the event UWRA goes out of business, what happens then?

             

A - The UWRA Board will make recommendations to the Foundation For The Carolinas as to ultimate disposition of funds, in keeping with the priorities of the Endowment.

 

Q – How will my gift be recognized?

 

A – We will be printing donor investors in UPDATES and on our website on a regular basis.  However if you chose to remain anonymous we will of course honor that.  All donor investors contributing before the end of 2006 will be considered Founding members.  Donor Investors giving $1000 or more will be recognized as part of the Legacy Society. 

 

 

Q – Is there a minimum gift?

           

A – There is no minimum gift to the UWRA Endowment Fund.  However, $10,000 is the minimum to establish a named fund within the Endowment should a donor wish to do so.

 

 

Q – Can I give a restricted gift?

 

A – Donor investors are encouraged to make gifts to the general Endowment Fund.  Gifts for certain purposes may be designated with a donation of $25,000 or more.

 

 

Accomplishments to Date

 

Please refer to 2005 Organizational Report sent out with the 2006 UWRA renewal letters.

 

Historical Highlights

           

·         1989 – UWRA created.  Gordon Berg, UWRA founder and former CEO, Charlotte, NC appointed first UWRA president.

 

·         1990 – First formal gathering of UWRA in Anaheim, CA.  Adopted organizational structure and by-laws.  Chose governing body.

 

·         1991 – UWRA received cash grant for $50,000 and in-kind services from UWA.

 

·         1992 – Updates newsletter premier edition published.

 

·         2000 – UWRA recruited members for Service Corps.  Website, www.uwra.org, was launched.  Member access to insurance products at group rates made available.

 

·         2001 – UWRA became a 501 (c) 3 organization.   UWRA implemented the Mentoring, Planned Giving, and Crisis Consultant Programs and adopted a Strategic Plan.  The UWRA Endowment was approved for establishment within the Foundation For The Carolinas.

 

·         2002- UWRA launched the Phone/Email Consulting Program. 

 

·         2003 – Feasibility study initiated for the UWRA Endowment Fund, designed to benefit local communities and UW retirees.  UWRA began preparation of a Pre-Retirement Planning guide for those active professionals thinking about retirement.

 

·         2004 – UWRA member Dick Aft and his wife Mary Lu published a comprehensive history of the UW system: Grassroots Initiatives Shape an International Movement.  This effort was initiated and research funded by UWRA.  UWRA members surveyed to determine their views on the priority of distribution of UWRA Endowment income.  UWRA Board kicks off Endowment with 100% giving.

 

• 2005 – Nationwide kick-off of the UWRA Endowment Fund.  Worked closely with the State Organizations to develop a Guide for New United Way Executives.  Evaluated our current offerings to retirees and initiated collaborative discussions with other organizations to potentially extend the benefits we are able to offer UW retirees.

 

• 2006 - UWRA commitments for 2006 include expanding the mentoring program (i.e., 15-20 UW Executives receiving Mentoring assistance this year compared to 10 last year); a revised Planned Giving program providing UWs on-site assistance; and a pre-retirement planning guide to be distributed to all UW employees.