Processing Fees
There are no processing fees on contributions direct to United Way of King County. And because of our lean operation and the benefit of an endowment that covers part of our operating costs, 97 cents of every dollar you give will go direct to community impact.
Supporting other groups through United Way of King County is an efficient way to combine all of your charitable giving. Plus it reduces administrative effort and costs for the organizations receiving your gifts. To offset the time and resources involved in providing this service, United Way of King County charges modest processing fees for designated gifts, for gifts made to United Ways outside Washington state, and for gifts made with a credit card. Details are below.
DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS
What is the minimum designation amount?
- The minimum designation amount per designation is $30. All designations under $30 will go to the United Way of King County.
What designation fee is charged?
- The designation fee is 9.50% of the gift amount. The maximum designation fee for an individual donor is capped at $475 per gift, regardless of the number of designations made per gift.
- If an individual pledges $10,000 or more to the United Way of King County, United Way of King County’s three stated priorities (basic needs, early learning and ending homelessness) or United Way of King County’s general endowment for a specific campaign year, the designation fees for that donor’s other annual gifts will be waived for that same campaign year.
- The designation fee for a gift to a United Way outside of Washington State is 9.50% of the gift amount with a maximum designation fee of $475 per gift.
- No designation fees are charged on gifts to the United Way of King County, United Way of King County’s Administrative (Gates) Endowment, United Way of King County’s general endowment, United Way of King County’s three stated priorities or Washington State United Ways.
Are there other fees?
- YES. If a gift is made via credit card, United Way of King County will also charge / deduct a credit card fee to cover the fee charged to United Way of King County by the credit card company. The credit card fee is 2.50% of the gift amount, with no maximum. If a gift is made to the United Way of King County but restricted to a specific program or use, United Way of King County will charge / deduct an administrative fee of 10.0% to cover the overhead cost of processing that gift.
How is the designation fee applied?
- For a gift where the designation fee is capped at $475: The designation fee is deducted pro-rata from each agency gift.
- For a gift where the designation fee is less than $475: The fee is calculated on each gift and deducted from each gift amount.
DONATIONS FROM COMPANIES
- Donations used to match employee gifts: The designation fee for a matching gift is 5.00% of the gift amount, with no maximum.
- Corporate gifts: The designation fee for a corporate gift is 5.00% of the gift amount, with no maximum.
- No designation fees are charged on gifts to the United Way of King County, United Way of King County’s Administrative (Gates) Endowment, United Way of King County’s three stated priorities, United Way of King County’s general endowment or Washington State United Ways.
- NOTE: if a gift is made via credit card, United Way of King County will also charge / deduct a credit card fee to cover the fee charged to United Way of King County by the credit card company. The credit card fee is 2.50% of the gift amount, with no maximum. If a gift is made to the United Way of King County but restricted to a specific program or use, United Way of King County will charge / deduct an administrative fee of 10.0% to cover the overhead cost of processing that gift.
