Did United Way of Tampa Bay discontinue funding to the Boy Scouts?
A. United Way of Tampa Bay did not discontinue funding the local Boy Scouts’ youth development programs. The two local Boy Scout councils, Gulf Ridge and West Central Florida, continued to receive funding. Does this mean UW is taking sides with the Boy Scouts? If United Way takes sides in any issue, we limit our ability to effectively serve the whole community. Other United Ways are defunding the Scouts. Can your national office require you to do the same? Each of the 1,400 United Ways across the country is totally autonomous and run by local volunteers. The national office has no control over individual United Way funding decisions or policies. Do you not require funded agencies to have anti-discrimination policies? Although United Way encourages all funded agencies to be as inclusive as possible, we do not dictate Community Partner agency policy. One of United Way’s strengths is its ability to help a variety of people through diverse agencies and programs. Don’t you consider it wrong
