I have recently blogged twice about the United Way Worldwide. I first blogged about how badly I believe the United Way Worldwide board conducted research re the challenges by its staff about alleged abuses (it used a lawyer lens). I next blogged about the defense of its exec who subsequently resigned. Today I saw a reporter's discussion about the difference, if any, between local United Ways and the United Way Worldwide. Pay particular attention though to the final paragraph where the local United Way, after touting how different was their culture from Worldwide, the local seeks to "protect the United Way’s high standards." Uh, one can easily suggest that United Way Worldwide, at least to date, has some seriously questionable standards that I would hope the locals do not emulate.
That said, here's what the Business Record had to report:
"As a reporter who follows our local nonprofit community, I recently saw a story that the Associated Press did on the resignation of the CEO of the United Way Worldwide, Brian Gallagher. The announcement came after the organization was accused of mishandling sexual harassment and discrimination allegations.
Sounds like a big deal for the United Way. It is. But what does it mean for local chapters, such as the United Way of Central Iowa?
Staff members at the Business Record communicate with the staff at our local United Way chapter fairly often, whether it be phone calls, emails or participating on Zoom calls. We wondered aloud during a recent staff meeting what, if anything, the news from United Way Worldwide means for local chapters. We were curious about the relationship between local chapters and national and international offices.
How do the pieces all fit together? How do the cogs make the wheel turn?
One rule of being a reporter is that if you have a question, it’s likely others do, too. So we asked.
I sent an email to the folks at the United Way of Central Iowa and they promptly replied with answers to my questions.
Local United Way chapters are separate entities from United Way Worldwide, and operate as independent nonprofit organizations that are governed by local boards of directors and led by local management teams.
Although independent, because they are members of the United Way network, local chapters pay membership dues to United Way Worldwide for licensing rights to the United Way brand. Local chapters also are required to meet certain standards in various business areas to maintain their membership status.
We also learned that United Way Worldwide invests funds raised in various national and global initiatives, like 211 and early grade reading. It also activates fundraising to provide additional funds to help local United Ways during increased times of need. That was the case at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
The change in leadership at United Way Worldwide will not affect the mission of United Way of Central Iowa.
“The workplace challenges United Way Worldwide is experiencing are not reflected in any way in our local organization,” the email from our local chapter read.
Local United Way leaders said that the local chapter’s financial position is strong and that its “carefully cultivated” workplace culture is thriving because the organization’s values include compassion and integrity. They noted that the local chapter’s emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion has been key in decisions made around staffing, workplace policies and the work it does in the community.
Local leaders assured that they will continue to do everything they can to “foster an equitable, empowered, engaged, thriving community” and protect the United Way’s high standards."