United Way of Broome County raises money primarily through its Annual Campaign, which generally runs from mid-September to early November of each year. This annual fund drive is coordinated by the United Way of Broome County’s Campaign Division and its Campaign Cabinet. It includes the efforts of more than 3,000 community volunteers yearly. Representatives from United Way's partner agencies also participate in the annual fund drive. 
  
The 2010 Campaign will officially begin in mid-September, but a few organizations may conduct in-house United Way campaigns earlier. (For a complete list of the amounts raised in each Annual Campaign held by United Way since 1955, click here.) Through United Way’s Donor Choice program, individuals may designate their donation to a specific agency or type of service. 

Over 90 percent of the money raised in the Annual Campaign goes directly to help those in Broome County. United Way is able to keep its operating costs to only 9.8 percent of the money raised each year, compared to the 40 percent accepted by the National Charities Information Bureau. Most of the activities associated with the annual fund drive are paid for by special donations from a group of local business organizations known as Event Sponsors. This allows individual donations to be used primarily to help local people in need. Each year, special incentives are offered to encourage those who contribute to the Annual Campaign to donate $1 per week or more to the fund drive.