What is the Greater Lafayette United Way?

United Way of Greater Lafayette is a locally owned and operated not-for-profit organization that improves our community by focusing on education, income and health. United Way provides leadership in identifying needs and coordinating resources - including volunteers, organizations, and funding - to address the root causes of challenges in our community.

How does United Way accomplish their mission?

United Way works with a variety of community partners, including 23 United Way funded agencies, to ensure everyone has the tools they need to live a successful life. Each fall, United Way raises funds to support 23 agencies and their work in Education, Income and Health. Some of these not-for-profit agencies include the Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Family Services, Food Finders Food Bank, Legal Aid, Meals on Wheels, and the Boys & Girls Club. United Way of Greater Lafayette does not support programs that are in direct conflict to the sanctity of life.

Why the UW needs our support.

United Way’s 2014 goal is to raise $5 million in our community. This is a significant amount of money, but it only begins to address the needs that exist in our community. What would Greater Lafayette look like if we could do a little more? Each year, the task is challenging. Currently, most local churches do not support the work of United Way with direct contributions. We hope that our example will inspire other ministries to get involved in this capacity.

Why does Faith want to help the United Way?

Matthew 5 tells us to ‘Let your light so shine among men that they (people in your community) may see your good works and in turn glorify your God who is in heaven.’ In Titus 3:14, Paul writes; ‘Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds, to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.’ God’s Word directs us to identify needs and engage in good deeds.

What’s the fund drive going to look like for us?

Our pastors and deacons have requested that Faith be a United Way Campaign Pacesetter. That means we will have a three-pronged approach to supporting the opening phase of this fall’s community campaign.

1. For those who do not have the opportunity through  their workplace to contribute to UW, Faith Church  will assist them  by collecting (tax-deductible)  donated  funds  and giving 100%  of those funds to United Way of Greater Lafayette beginning in September.
2. Our Faith employees are being invited to contribute from each paycheck through a voluntary payroll deduction. 
3. As part of our community outreach budget, Faith’s deacons and pastors will again consider providing a small offering to United Way.

If I have further questions, who can I contact?

You may contact Faith’s United Way coordinator, Arvid Olson. More information on the United Way can be found at the Greater Lafayette United Way web site at www.uwlafayette.org.