What else does United Way of Sumner County do besides fund programs?
United Way of Sumner County does more than fund programs—we bring people together to create solutions. As a trusted community connector, we unite donors, volunteers, businesses, schools, government, and nonprofits to address critical issues and build a stronger, more resilient Sumner County.
In addition to funding local programs, we:
- Connect People to Purpose: We help individuals and groups find meaningful ways to give back by sharing volunteer opportunities that support our mission and partner agencies.
- Link People to Help: Through our 211 Help Line, we connect individuals and families to vital local resources.
- Lead Community Drives: Our annual drives, such as the Mom & Baby Care Drive, United We Feed, and the Stuff the Bus, mobilize donations to meet urgent needs.
- Use Data to Drive Solutions: We analyze and share data from sources such as the ALICE Report and 211 Counts to better understand the challenges facing local households and to guide effective responses.
- Create Long-Term Impact: We collaborate with partners across all sectors to develop sustainable solutions that address the root causes of challenges facing our community.
By working together, we’re building a stronger, healthier, and more resilient Sumner County.
Who and where do you help?
United Way of Sumner County and its partner programs serve people throughout all of Sumner County, including those in Bethpage, Gallatin, Hendersonville, Portland, Westmoreland, White House, and unincorporated areas.
How old is United Way of Sumner County?
United Way of Sumner County was formed in 1977 by local leaders who wanted to make a difference in their community. Click here for more history.
Who Is responsible for the activities of your local United Way?
The volunteer members of the Board of Directors, in addition to being accountable to the community, are legally responsible to see that the affairs of United Way are properly managed. United Way funds are audited yearly by an independent auditing firm. In the interest of transparency, our annual Financial Reports are open to public inspection.
What is United Way Worldwide?
United Way Worldwide (UWW) is a service and support organization created by local United Ways across the country and around the world to share resources, training, and best practices. This network helps us address complex social issues more effectively and ensures that your contributions create greater impact.
United Way Worldwide does not fund programs or agencies. Only local United Ways—like United Way of Sumner County—make funding decisions and investments in their own communities.
Are United Ways connected?
There are more than 1,000 locally governed United Ways in the United States and over 600 internationally. Each one is separately incorporated, independently operated, and led by local volunteers. While we share a common mission to improve lives and strengthen communities, each United Way reflects the unique needs and priorities of its local area.
Where does my donation go?
Unless you choose to designate your gift elsewhere, 100% of your contribution stays in Sumner County to help local residents. Funding decisions are made by local volunteers who carefully review community needs, evaluate programs, and determine where your donation can make the greatest impact.
Who decides which programs UWSC supports?
Local volunteers—people just like you—help decide where the money goes. Each year, community members carefully review program applications, budgets, and outcomes through United Way of Sumner County’s Allocations process to ensure every dollar is used wisely.
This volunteer-led process ensures that donor contributions are invested in programs that meet critical needs and deliver measurable impact. When we pool our resources and make informed decisions together, we create lasting change across Sumner County.
I don't use these services, so why should I give?
You, a friend, family member, or coworker may have already benefited from a United Way partner agency without even knowing it. The truth is, strong communities benefit everyone.
When children succeed in school, families are financially stable, people are healthy, and those facing crisis get support—we all do better.
By giving to United Way of Sumner County, you're investing in the overall strength and resilience of our community. Even if you don’t need help today, you're helping build a community you can count on tomorrow.
How do I give to United Way of Sumner County?
There are many options for giving to United Way of Sumner County. We could not do the work we do without our committed donors. We are so grateful for the tremendous generosity of corporations, foundations, small businesses, individuals, couples, and families who make our work possible. From the employees who give through payroll deduction to our most engaged Tocqueville Society members, every investment helps further our mission to create positive change in our community. There are also lots of other ways to give back to your community. Click here to learn more about how you can Get Involved.
What is the difference between a designated and an undesignated gift?
A designated gift restricts your gift to a specific 501(c)(3) organization. An undesignated gift becomes part of our UWSC Community Fund and is managed by our volunteer-led Allocations Process which ensures that donations go where they can meet the greatest needs and do the most good in our community. Click here for more information.
Why should I give an undesignated gift?
An undesignated gift to United Way of Sumner County helps more people and addresses more needs than a gift to a single agency alone.
Many individuals and families facing crisis require support in multiple areas, such as food, housing, healthcare, and education. United Way works across a network of trusted local partners to provide wrap-around support that tackles the interconnected challenges our neighbors face.
By giving an undesignated gift, you allow volunteers to direct funds where they are needed most, ensuring your donation has the greatest possible impact across our community.
Is my donation to United Way of Sumner County tax-deductible?
Yes.
Who benefits from my donation?
While thousands of people are directly impacted by United Way services, that's only part of the story. A donation to United Way builds a stronger, healthier, and connected community for everyone! Everyone benefits when children are successful in school, families are stable, and people in critical need or crisis get help. Successful students and stable families are vital to our area's economic vitality, and they drive positive change in social conditions that increase our overall quality of life. By reaching out a hand to one, we affect conditions for all of us.
What makes United Way of Sumner County different from other non-profits?
United Way of Sumner County brings the whole community together to tackle our most pressing challenges. While most nonprofits focus on a specific issue or population, UWSC works across sectors to support a wide range of needs—from crisis response to long-term solutions.
Your gift is combined with others and invested strategically in programs that create measurable, lasting impact. We partner with local agencies, mobilize volunteers, and collaborate with businesses, community leaders, and policymakers to drive change at both the individual and systems level.
No single organization can do this alone. United Way connects the pieces, ensuring that people get the support they need—and that our community becomes stronger, healthier, and more resilient for everyone.
My spouse gives, why should I?
Charitable giving is a personal decision. Your spouse’s gift may reflect their income, interests, or reasons for giving, but your contribution represents your own commitment to making a difference in our community.
Many employers also recognize individual participation through workplace campaigns, incentive programs, or team goals. So even if your household gives, you may still want to take part through your own company.
If you'd prefer, you can also request that your gift be combined with your spouse’s for recognition purposes. Just let us know!
When each of us gives, advocates, or volunteers, we amplify our impact. That’s how real change happens—when everyone does their part.
I feel pressured to give. Does UWSC support that?
Absolutely not. Giving to United Way of Sumner County is always voluntary.
We believe people give because they care—because they see the impact and want to be part of something meaningful. That’s why we focus on sharing information about how your support helps improve lives right here in our community.
Your gift should be a personal, informed decision—never one made out of pressure.
Does United Way of Sumner County fund abortions?
United Way of Sumner County DOES NOT fund abortions or Planned Parenthood. We do fund Cumberland Crisis Pregnancy Center, a faith-based agency that provides counseling services, support groups, and parenting classes for individuals and families facing crisis pregnancies.
What if I don't like one of the agencies funded by United Way?
Our aim is to fund agencies that have a proven impact on our community's most critical problems. However, you may exclude a specific partner agency from receiving any portion of your gift. You may also designate your gift to a specific UWSC Impact Area or a specific partner agency. Ask your company's United Way employee relationship manager for more information or Contact Us.
Where can I go for help?
You can find several resources for help on our Get Help page including free programs and services from United Way like our 211 Help Line, a local referral service for finding resources to meet a variety of needs, and the Tennessee Benefit Kitchen, a text screener to help you find out if there are public benefits for which you might qualify. Both are confidential and available 24/7. Our Get Help page also has a link to a list of each of our partner agencies with contact information and a description of the services they offer, in addition to several other sources of help.
How can my agency become a United Way agency?
United Way of Sumner County accepts Letters of Intent once per year (This is the only time each year when they will be accepted). CLICK HERE for full details about how to become a funded partner.
Still have a question?
We're an open book. Accountability and transparency are very important to us. If you still have a question, we'd love to hear it. Please reach out to us below: