Q: What is the Student United Way?
A: As the first independent student run United Way in the nation, The Student United Way is committed to leadership through service and teamwork by educating, engaging, advocating, and fundraising to increase student involvement in the betterment of our community. The Student United Way strives to build a better tomorrow for all of humanity.

Q: What Makes the Student United Way Different?
A: Unlike many other organizations on campus, the Student United Way is the only organization that the donor directly has a say in where the money goes. The donor can see, hear, and feel the impact he or she contributes.

Q: What does the Student United Way do?
A: Serving as a microcosm of the United Way of the Big Bend, the Student United way attempts to cover all aspects of service by a Three Pronged Approach to Service: Giving, Advocacy, and Volunteerism.  1st Prong- Giving: To teach students to give back, to donate, and to invest in your community and in humanity. The Student United Way is in part a fundraising organization, like all United Ways. These funds are allocated out to our certified agencies and events that help others in need. 2nd Prong- Advocacy: To teach students to become politically activated, to teach them of social injustice issues and the promotion of equality of opportunity, and to teach students how to engage in fixing some of society's most persistent problems. 3rd Prong - Volunteerism: To teach students the importance of volunteerism and the promotion of service to others. To make service to others an integral part of being a Seminole. Every day, our certified agencies provide human-care services to help people meet basic needs and handle emergencies. Our long-term approach aims resources and collaborative efforts at pinpointing why certain social problems exist and developing strategies to minimize or prevent them.

Q: How much should I give?
A: Donors are simply encouraged to “give until it feels good.” No set amount is suggested.

Q: How high is the overhead rate?
A: The national standard for nonprofit charities’ acceptable overhead is between 25 percent and 33 percent. UWBB’s overhead is 12.5 percent.

Q: Why should I give Student United Way my support?
A: You never know when you, a member of your family, a friend, neighbor, or colleague may need a Student United Way service. Natural Disasters, Job loss, physical or mental illness, disabilities, loss of a loved one, family problems, and the challenges of growing up and growing old know no boundaries. Society is not perfect, and the Student United Way is trying to build a better tomorrow for everyone. Your gift helps ensure that Student United Way services are available for all of us when they’re needed. In addition to services that provide for these short-term needs and emergencies, Student United Way works with partners across the community to create long-lasting changes that aim to prevent problems from happening in the first place.

Q: Is Student United Way accountable?
A: The United Way of the Big Bend (UWBB) is the Student United Way’s fiscal agent and handles all of the Student United Way’s finances. UWBB is audited by an independent CPA annually and files a Form 990 with the IRS. UWBB has an independent Board of Directors, comprised of business and community leaders and advocates, that is the decision-making body for all of UWBB’s efforts and direction. UWBB also stays current on its state filings with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida Department of Revenue.