FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Why give to The Community Fund (TCF) rather than directly to agencies of my choice?
- Why should I increase my contribution to TCF?
- Why did you decide to separate from the national UW organization,
changing from the Darien United Way to The Community Fund of Darien? - Who are your donors and how do you fundraise?
- How much was raised last year and how much was allocated to agencies?
- How does TCF decide what agencies to support?
- How do you decide how much of your funds raised go to the agencies?
- How do you choose volunteers for the Allocations process?
- What communities does TCF cover and who are your donors?
- Why does TCF not support the Boy Scouts?
- What is the difference between TCF and the Darien Technology and
Community Foundation? - What is the difference between TCF and a foundation?
- What is the Human Services Planning Council?
- What is HSPC current involvement in the community?
- How does TCF measure its impact in the community?
- What are the responsibilities of Board members?
- From TCF’s perspective, what are the most important human service
needs in the community? - Why don’t you give to local organizations like Person-to-Person?
- Other than participating in the Allocations process, how can I get involved with TCF?
1. Why give to The Community Fund (TCF) rather than directly to agencies of my choice?
We encourage you to give to your favorite organizations! But, contributing to TCF is important for several reasons.
- There are local agencies that do provide significant services but are not as well known or do not have the necessary funding. We insure that these agencies, whose services are critical, continue to receive support.
- TCF does your homework for you. All agencies that we support undergo annual reviews including on-site visits to insure that they are operating effectively and your dollars are spent appropriately.
- TCF serves the entire community and is involved in all areas of human services needs. Through our ongoing relationships with agencies and human services organizations, we are in a unique position to know and address our community needs on an ongoing basis.
2. Why should I increase my contribution to TCF?
Human service needs are continually increasing while funding sources, like government grants, are generally decreasing. With more of our donors’ dollars, TCF would be able to make a greater impact on addressing these growing needs
3. Why did you decide to separate from the national UW organization,
changing from the Darien United Way to The Community Fund of Darien?
- The Board reviewed the value of United Way membership and determined that the national affiliation did not benefit our organization due to the fact that TCF is primarily supported by individual local donors.
- To maintain local autonomy and control so that we could more effectively address the unique needs of Darien and our surrounding communities. TCF is stronger, more vibrant and active than ever. Our annual fundraising campaign has grown significantly and our role in the community as leader, funder, collaborator and facilitator has taken on new dimensions.
4. Who are your donors and how do you fundraise?
- Donations come from local residents and local businesses.
- We have a very active campaign committee made up of board members. Our primary fundraising is conducted in a community wide campaign mailing, letter writing and personal solicitations.
- Donors also give through their workplace campaigns by designating The Community Fund of Darien (IRS # 06-0737286). Please contact us at (203)655-8775 to assist you in having your contributions directed to TCF.
5. How much was raised last year and how much was allocated to agencies?
- According to our 2009 audit, TCF raised approximately $938,000. Of that over $632,000 was allocated to 27 agencies, $32,000 was designated by donors to specific local charities, and $135,000 went to other community services and programming.
- Additionally, our donors can feel very confident in TCF’s expense containment in that our overhead cost ratio is 13.9% vs. the Better Business Bureau standard of 25%.
6. How does TCF decide what agencies to support?
Our agencies are invited to apply for funding each year. The Allocations Executive Committee performs ongoing due diligence on these agencies to insure that agencies are performing and donors’ dollars are being spent wisely. Occasionally, agencies that are not meeting TCF standards/criteria are not invited to apply again, and new agencies are screened for consideration. The number of agencies is maintained around 26-28.
7. How do you decide how much of your funds raised go to the agencies?
Each year, an Allocations Committee of 50 volunteers comprised of board members and local residents review agency applications. These volunteers participate in panels that devote many hours reviewing applications, making on-site agency visits and participating in lengthy panel discussions. Agencies are assessed on their programs, board governance, organization & staffing, strategic planning, funding sources, impact and financial soundness. After careful review, the Allocations panels make recommendations on funding and follow-up. Their recommendations are presented to TCF Allocations Executive Committee which then go to the TCF Board for approval.
TCF has established nine categories of social services that our agencies address:
- Abuse
- Community Services
- Elderly Support
- Family Strengthening
- Food/Shelter
- Self Sufficiency
- Special Needs
- Youth Development
- Youth Mental Health
Our Allocation panels are assigned to review agencies within each category which helps them better understand and assess the needs that each agency addresses.
In addition, our resources support non-agency, but important initiatives:
- Small grants: one time grants for smaller agencies or emergency grants to help with extraordinary needs
- Touch a Life Fund: to support individuals with financial hardships who are identified and vetted by Darien’s Department of Social Services (including emergency flood relief)
- Community Impact Reserve Fund: currently supporting the following local initiatives
- Aging in Place coordinator
- Youth Community Fund
- LISC (Affordable Housing collaborative)
8. How do you choose volunteers for the Allocations process?
Allocations is the basis and heart of our funding process. We identify local residents who are active volunteers in our community as well as receive recommendations from Board members.
9. What communities does TCF cover and who are your donors?
- TCF funds agencies that serve Darien, Norwalk and Stamford
- TCF receives contributions from people who live and work in our area, including Darien and Rowayton
10. Why does TCF not support the Boy Scouts?
TCF has a “nondiscrimination policy” with which all funded agencies must comply. The Boy Scouts decided that they were not willing to abide by this policy and thus, are not invited to apply.
11. What is the difference between TCF and the Darien Technology and
Community Foundation?
TCF is “about people” or funding human services, and the Darien Technology and Community Foundation is “about things” or funding capital projects.
12. What is the difference between TCF and a foundation?
- There are two types of foundations: private and public. Most of the funds in a private foundation come from one source, such as an individual, a family or a corporation. A public foundation is required to raise funds from multiple sources including individuals, businesses, other foundations and/or government grants. A private foundation is required to distribute a minimum of 5% of its assets per year. A public foundation does not have a minimum requirement.
- TCF distributes the bulk of funds raised each year to community agencies and programs.
13. What is the Human Services Planning Council?
TCF recognized the need for local collaboration regarding social services and therefore established the Human Services Planning Council in 2005. The HSPC’s mission is to:
- Assess health and human service needs in our town
- Identify resources and services to meet these needs
- Identify gaps in services
- Work to address those gaps
Members of the HSPC include key members in the community: a member of the Board of Selectmen, Superintendent of Schools, Police Chief, Council of Darien School Parents, Darien Dept. of Social Services, Darien Youth Director, Child Guidance, Family Centers, Liberation Programs, STAR, the Depot, local clergy and community volunteers. It is co-chaired by TCF Vice President Patty Reis and Executive Director Kiki Karpen.
14. What is HSPC current involvement in the community?
The HSPC is currently pursuing a number of initiatives to address gaps in local human services, including:
- Aging in Place – Addressing the specific needs of our local aging population to help them live independently, comfortably and with dignity in their homes as long as possible.
- “Creating Connections”: a Directory of Mental Health and Support Services”
- Thriving Youth:Connected Community - town wide collaboration to strengthen de vel omental assets for our youth
- Darien Domestic Violence Task Force - education and awareness of this important issue to encourage victims to seek help
The HSPC is continually working diligently to educate the community about human service needs and resources.
15. How does TCF measure its impact in the community?
TCF measures its impact through dollars, people, results:
- Broad community financial support with $938,000 in funds raised
- Volunteer support – 26 Board Members, 50 Allocation Volunteers &
support by individuals and businesses through our local activities - HSPC initiatives & our leadership in community collaboration
- Community contact – People accessing TCF resources and network
for information, referral and outreach through our community associations. - Professional distinguishment: FCCF Center for Nonprofit Excellence, Fairfield County Funders Network, UConn Nonprofit Leadership Advisory Board, Darien Chamber of Commerce.
16. What are the responsibilities of Board members?
- Board members are expected to oversee the organization, attend board meetings, participate in board governance, fundraising and community outreach, support events and sit on at least two committees (Campaign, Marketing, Finance, Nominating, etc.)
- 100% of TCF Board members are financial supporters.
17. From TCF’s perspective, what are the most important human service
needs in the community?
Based on our extensive involvement in our community, interaction with all facets of human services, and in-depth knowledge, critical needs and issues that need addressing are:
- Affordable housing
- Mental health
- Seniors “aging in place”
- Substance and alcohol abuse
- Active parenting
- Domestic violence
- Inclusion of people with special needs
- A growing Hispanic and Latino population needing services
18. Why don’t you give to local organizations like the YMCA?
There are a few health and human service agencies in town that receive significant support from the community and do not need TCF funds. We do however communicate regularly and work collaboratively in town to address needs together.
19. Other than participating in the Allocations process, how can I get involved with TCF?
TCF is actively involved in numerous programs throughout the year. Please contact us or more information if you are interested in volunteering in any of our activities.
- Spring volunteering opportunities for young families
- Annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon, May 14, DCA
- Darien Road Race – volunteer to help, DRR, September 19, 2010
- Fall cocktail parties – community outreach, help sponsor or attend
- Halloween Window Painting in October 2010, cosponsored by the Darien Youth Commission (Middle School and High School youth paint retail windows all over town in support of TCF)
- HSPC committees
- Volunteer Fair 2011 at Darien High School (late January/early February)
- Other committees – Campaign, Public Relations/Marketing, web site management, mailings and office support
