As a leading community impact organization, United Way knows that real and sustained change in community conditions requires more than money. United Way engages decision-makers and policy leaders at the local, state and national levels to help address the most important community needs.

Visit the United Way Public Policy Advocacy Center to lend your voice to help solve critical human care problems.

Calling for 2-1-1 Act

2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that, where available, connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities. The implementation of 2-1-1 is being spearheaded by United Ways and comprehensive and specialized information and referral agencies in states and local communities. United Way of America (UWA) and the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) strongly support federal funding so that every American has access to this essential service. Every hour of every day, someone in the United States needs essential services - from finding an after-school program to securing adequate care for a child or an aging parent. Faced with a dramatic increase in the number of agencies and help-lines, people often don't know where to turn. In many cases, people end up going without these necessary services because they do not know where to start. 2-1-1 helps people find and give help. More.

UNITED WAY OF AMERICA LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE 109th CONGRESS
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United Way of America (UWA) is the national organization dedicated to leading the United Way movement in making measurable impact in every community across America. The United Way movement includes approximately 1,400 community-based United Way organizations. Each is independent, separately incorporated, and governed by local volunteers. Through their funding and community building efforts, United Ways are an integral part of the nation's human services system. United Ways are, in effect, partners with government in the uniquely American blend of public and private investment in service delivery.

UWA recognizes the critical role the federal government plays to mobilize communities around priority issues to improve lives. Government cannot do it alone. Neither can United Ways and the rest of the non-profit sector

UNITED WAY OF AMERICA FINDS NON-ITEMIZED DEDUCTION WOULD SUBSTANTIALLY BOOST CHARITABLE GIVING

United Way of America (UWA) released a report showing the impact on charitable giving of a proposal that would allow people who do not itemize their federal income taxes (more than two-thirds of American taxpayers) to receive the same benefit for making contributions to charity as those who do itemize.

Under this provision, single tax filers could deduct contributions that, when combined over the course of a year, exceed $210. Joint filers would be allowed to deduct contributions over $420. United Way of America estimates that extending this deduction to non-itemizing taxpayers will increase giving to United Ways by $242 million per year. This increase will be somewhat offset by an expected $62 million drop in giving by itemizing taxpayers, who would face the new $210 floor for the first time. However, less than 6 percent of giving by itemizers to United Ways comes from donors who give less than the $210 floor to charity. Overall, the provision would substantially increase giving to both United Ways and to charities more generally. For the full report, click here.

Congress passed its tax reconciliation bill (H.R. 4297) without the package of charitable giving incentives and reforms previously included by the Senate. UWA is working to get the charitable giving incentives portion included in the pension reform bill (H.R. 2830). This bill is still in conference negotiations. At the end of last year, United Way of America circulated a sign-on letter in support of a non-itemizer tax deduction. Over 1300 national, state and local organizations from all 50 states including the District of Columbia, signed on to this letter of support. To view the letter, click here