Q. Why should I give through Alaska Community Share instead of directly to the agency?

A. Alaska Community Shares does not want to discourage you from giving to agencies directly. Payroll deduction is another way, and perhaps a better way, for you to support your community. Payroll deduction could be better for you because:
1) it's convenient to have donations deducted each pay period;
2) it may allow you to give more money because it is spread over a year's time.

One reason our agencies like payroll deduction campaigns is because they are a low-cost way to educate and inform the community at-large and to recruit donors and volunteers. You support this concept by contributing through Community Shares.

Q. Is my contribution tax deductible?

A. Yes, it is fully tax deductible as all our member agencies are designated 501(c)3 non-profits. Donors utilizing the payroll deduction option are able to claim their charitable deductions on the tax year following the deductions. (i.e. If you have payroll deductions during the 2004 calendar year, you can claim them on your 2004 taxes, filed in 2005.)

For a receipt on payroll deductions, we encourage donors to use their last payroll stub of the giving year. This stub should indicate the deduction as "giving" "Alaska Community Share" or something of that nature.

You should also have received an acknowledgement, if requested, from the organization(s) that you donated to.

Q. What is the difference between designating the Share Fund and designating Alaska Community Share?

A. Contributions designated to the Shares Fund are distributed inversely to participating agencies. Contributions designated to Alaska Community Share are used to pay for our campaign/program costs. Any excess from the Alaska Community Share designation is added to the Shares Fund for distribution to participating agencies.

Q. How do agencies become members of Community Shares?

A. Agencies complete an application which is reviewed by our Membership Committee. The review includes an on-site visit. The Committee recommends to our Board of Directors which agencies to accept for membership.

Q. You seem to have many "liberal" agencies. What will you do/do you do when agencies with a different point of view apply?

A. Alaska Community Share was started by small and emerging non-profits with a point of view. From the start, Alaska Community Share has worked hard to offer diversity in giving choices. We have never excluded an agency solely on their point of view or because they didn't agree with the "Community Share ideology," if there is such a thing.

Agencies considering application to Alaska Community Share must decide if they are comfortable with the rest of our membership and with everyone's point of view. When our Membership Committee reviews agencies, they look at the integrity of the organization and the applicant's commitment to working with all of our members.

Q. How do you evaluate your agencies?

A. We evaluate our member agencies in two ways. First, they must provide updated financial and program information annually. Second, they must participate in the running of Alaska Community Share. This is accomplished primarily by working on one of several committees.

We have placed agencies on probation and inactive status for failure to meet the requirements. We have also removed agencies from membership when they did not meet all requirements.

Q. What is your administrative/fund-raising cost?

A. The amount of the workplace donations retained by Alaska Community Share has been averaging 17.5%.

The % is a Board-approved administrative fee that is recommended by member agencies that sit on the Community Shares Finance Committee.

In addition to 17.5% of donations retained by Alaska Community Share, our member agencies pay annual membership dues.

We encourage you to call or visit Alaska Community Share or any of our agencies if you have questions or concerns about administrative and fund-raising expenses. An on-site visit is an excellent way to see how the agency spends its money.

Q. The agencies also have an administrative cost ("overhead"), right? Isn't my contribution being "hit" twice?

A. 82.5% of your contribution made through Alaska Community Share is sent to the agency. Some agencies use all money raised through Alaska Community Share for program costs while other agencies need to use money raised through Alaska Community Share to cover operating costs.

Our agencies have discretion so they can fill in gaps in funding of their services and programs. This helps make sure that our non-profits are able to continue the great work they are doing.

Q. Aren't you and United Way duplicating efforts? and/or How are you different from United Way?

A. Alaska Community Share is similar to, but very different from United Way. Similar in that we both encourage the use of payroll deduction to raise funds. Different in that we represent different nonprofit's and we distribute our money differently.

Alaska Community Share offers a diverse choice of agencies (environmental, cultural, etc.) in addition to direct service agencies. United Way funds direct service agencies only. Alaska Community Share distributes the majority of the money raised based on donor designation (which we not only allow, but encourage). United Way prefers to distribute money according to allocation amounts pre-determined by committee and undesignated funds are given to the agencies that UW decides -- not given equally to all agencies.

Q. What is the difference between designating one of your agencies through Donor Choice and designating that agency through Alaska Community Shares and/or Can't I give to Alaska Community Share member agencies through Donor Choice? (Donor Choice is a United Way program.)

A. Alaska Community Share member agencies have made a decision to participate in workplace giving through Alaska Community Share. Our members prefer that their donors give to them at work through Alaska Community Share.

Donor Choice is a "write-in" and history shows that "write-in" candidates do not receive many votes. Community Shares members receive significantly more contributions when they participate in workplace giving through Community Shares as opposed to being only a "write-in." Also, they receive a larger percentage of your contribution when it is directed through Alaska Community Share versus through the Donor Choice program.

Q. Do any of your agencies receive money from United Way (or vice-versa)?

A. Agencies in Alaska Community Share do not receive money from United Way, other than Donor Choice designations. Nor do United Way agencies receive money from Alaska Community Share.

Q. Why are there so many choices now? and/or Why can't all of you be part of United Way?

A. No one federation could possibly cover all non-profit choices in our community. Alaska Community Share was formed 20 years ago in response to donors asking for more and different choices and non-profits looking for new sources of funding. It was, and still is, apparent that one federation cannot address all of the issues and problems facing society.

Payroll deduction is such a good mechanism for fund-raising that more and more non-profit agencies are aware of its potential. As governmental cutbacks increase, the primary way to raise money will be through individual donors. Workplace giving is an excellent way to reach individual donors.

Some member agencies of Alaska Community Share do not fit the United Way mission. Also, many of our member agencies prefer the cooperative structure of Community Shares, our emphasis on donor designation, and our membership diversity.

Q. If I donate through Alaska Community Share to an agency that has members (such as public radio), will I become a member?

A. That depends on the agency although most of them do consider payroll deduction contributions towards a membership fee. We suggest you call the agency in question and/or send them a copy of your pledge form (so they can see your designation and dollar amount).

Payroll deduction lets every employee be a Workplace Philanthropist!

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Copyright © 2002-2006 Alaska Community Share

Updated May 23, 2007