Standards Summary United Way of Tampa Bay agrees to participate in, and submit to United Way Worldwide, a community-driven self-assessment of its community impact, financial management, decision-making and organizational governance. These assessments are reviewed by United Way volunteers, professional leaders and outside experts in areas such as financial management, governance and ethics. United Way of Tampa Bay reports full revenue and expense data to United Way Worldwide for third party review. United Way of Tampa Bay submits our annual reports, IRS 990 forms, financial audits and codes of ethics to United Way Worldwide for third party review .

Creating Consistency
These comprehensive upgrades to the standards will make United Way reporting practices more consistent across the country and help donors and the public better understand how United Ways are investing donor dollars wisely and efficiently to achieve community impact.

Our Auditors
Each year, United Way engages the services of a certified public accounting firm to audit our financial records as well as prepare our IRS Form 990, the annual tax return for non-profit organizations. Currently, the firm of Lewis, Birch & Ricardo, LLC serves as our auditors.

Ethics
The Board of Directors of United Way of Tampa Bay has constituted and established an Audit & Ethics Committee. This committee has developed a Code of Ethics. The purpose of the Code is to describe standards of conduct and business ethics expected of the directors, officers, standing committee members and employees of United Way of Tampa Bay.

Directors, officers, standing committee members, and employees of United Way must strictly adhere to the letter and spirit of this Code and of all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the conduct of the United Way's business and must exercise high standards of integrity and sound ethical judgment.

United Way of Tampa Bay’s related written policies are included in our Resource Center.

In March 2005, United Way of America unveiled new Standards of Excellence, a comprehensive description of benchmark standards and best practices. Developed in conjunction United Way executives, staff and volunteers throughout the country, the standards are designed to enhance the effectiveness of the 1,350 United Way affiliates.

Introduction to the Standards of Excellence
Spanning more than 100 pages, the new standards provide highly detailed descriptions regarding five key areas of operation:

Community Engagement and Vision
Working with formal and informal leaders to develop a shared vision and goals for a community, including the identification of priority issues affecting the overall well being of its citizens.

Impact Strategies, Resources and Results
Creating "impact strategies" that address the root causes and barriers of a community's priority issues; mobilizing essential assets such as people, knowledge, relationships, technology and money; effectively implementing impact strategies; and evaluating the effectiveness of impact strategies in fostering continuous improvement.

Relationship Building & Brand Management
Developing, maintaining and growing relationships with individuals and organizations in order to attract and sustain essential assets.

Organizational Leadership and Governance Garnering trust, legitimacy and support of the United Way in local communities through leadership and overall management.

Operations
Providing efficient and cost-effective systems, policies and processes that enable the fulfillment of the United Way's mission, while ensuring the highest levels of transparency and accountability.

Download the Standards
By visiting the United Way of America site, you can access all of the standards. Click HERE.

United Way of Tampa Bay (UWTB) takes our role as a trusted community leader very seriously. As a result, we have a long tradition of adhering to very high standards of accountability and transparency. Our most recent Audited Financial Statements are available for your review and downloading.

Patriot Act Compliance
United Way is in compliance with the spirit and intent of the U.S. Patriot Act and other counterterrorism laws. Affirmative action is taken to prevent financial, technical, in-kind or other resources from inadvertently being used for illegal acts and terrorist activities.

Ethics
The Board of Directors of United Way of Tampa Bay has constituted and established an Audit & Ethics Committee. This committee has developed a Code of Ethics. The purpose of the Code is to describe standards of conduct and business ethics expected of the directors, officers, standing committee members, and employees of United Way of Tampa Bay.

Directors, officers, standing committee members, and employees of the United Way must strictly adhere to the letter and spirit of this Code and of all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the conduct of the United Way's business and must exercise high standards of integrity and sound ethical judgment.

If an officer or employee violates any portion of the Code, or knowingly permits an employee under his or her supervision to do so, it could result in stern disciplinary action including reprimand, loss or reduction of compensation, seniority or promotional opportunity, demotion, suspension or discharge.

If anyone governed by the Code has questions or concerns about compliance with the Code they should contact Ms. Gwen Mitchell, Board Member and Chairperson of the Audit and Ethics Committee at unitedwayethics@yahoo.com.

United Way of Tampa Bay’s related written policies are included in our Financial Resources area.

Organizational Structure and System Membership Accountability

United Way of Tampa Bay is an independent 501(c) 3 organization founded and governed by local volunteers to improve lives and strengthen our community. We are a member of United Way of America and annually completes certification of strict membership requirements to its Board of Directors, the Community and The United Way of America. United Way of Tampa Bay annually certifies that it must:

• Be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as well as from corresponding provisions of other applicable state, local or foreign laws or regulations.

• United Way of Tampa Bay must file IRS Form 990 annually in a timely manner.

• Comply with all other applicable legal local, state, and federal operating and reporting requirements (e.g., nondiscrimination, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, USA Patriot Act).

• Have an active, responsible, and voluntary governing body, which ensures effective governance over the policies and financial resources of the organization.

• Adhere to a locally developed and adopted statement to ensure volunteers and staff broadly reflect the diversity of the community they serve.

• Represent itself as a United Way in accordance with all United Way of America trademark standards and requirements.

• Support the United Way system by providing financial support to United Way of America according to the membership investment formula.

• Adhere to a locally developed and adopted code of ethics for volunteers and staff which includes provisions for ethical management, publicity, fundraising practices and full and fair disclosure.

• Undergo an annual audit conducted by an independent certified public accountant whose examination complies with generally accepted auditing standards and GAAP.

• Conduct every three years a volunteer-led self-assessment of their community impact work, financial management, and organizational governance and decision making.

• Annually submit to United Way of America a report of the total resources generated (annual fundraising campaign plus other resources such as in-kind donations and proceeds from special events). This report must be completed according to a policy that ensures an accurate, unduplicated national accounting for the United Way system.

• Biennially submit to United Way of America a report on United Way income and expenses.

• If managing donor designated gifts, the fees charged, if any, will be based on actual expenses. If receiving designated gifts from another United Way organization, will not deduct fundraising or processing fees.