Heart of Maine United Way
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SINCE 1937, HEART OF MAINE UNITED WAY (HOMEUW) HAS BEEN MOBILIZING THE CARING POWER OF PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT HANCOCK, PENOBSCOT, PISCATAQUIS, SOMERSET, WALDO, AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND IDENTIFY SOLUTIONS AIMED AT CREATING LASTING CHANGES TO THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE COMMUNITY'S MOST PRESSING NEEDS. HOMEUW IS FOCUSED ON IMPROVING BASIC NEEDS, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT. WE ACCOMPLISH OUR RESULTS BY BRINGING TOGETHER SUBJECT EXPERTS, BUSINESS LEADERS, DONORS, NEIGHBORHOODS, AND MEMBERS OF LOCAL NONPROFIT AGENCIES. THESE COMMUNITY MEMBERS HELP IDENTIFY OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST CRITICAL SOCIAL ISSUES. IN FORMING THESE PARTNERSHIPS, WE ARE BETTER ABLE TO ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF PROBLEMS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND PREVENT THEM FROM HAPPENING. HOMEUW RAISES FUNDS FROM THE COMMUNITY TO ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING ROOT CAUSE OF THE COMMUNITY'S MOST PRESSING ISSUES. IN THE PAST YEAR MORE THAN 134,000 INDIVIDUALS WERE SUPPORTED THROUG
- Income
- $4.0 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 5.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 74%
- Employees
- 11
- Volunteers
- 408
- Highest pay
- $127,138, president &
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 13% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 65% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 17 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $1.0 million spent. "OPPORTUNITY 2028 - THROUGH THE COMMUNITY GRANTING PROCESS, 40 COMMUNITY- BASED PROGRAMS IMPACT THE LIVES OF 32,000+ RESIDENTS ACROSS OUR SIX-COUNTY REGION. AS THE LARGEST PRIVATE FUNDER IN THE AREA, HOMEUW MANAGES 717,500 IN GRANTS FOR 40 PROGRAMS TO MEET BASIC NEEDS AND PROMOTE SELF-SUFFICIENCY; PREVENT, TREAT AND SUPPORT RECOVERY FROM SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER; AND ENSURE THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE QUALITY EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCES. ADDITIONALLY, 102,000+ RESIDENTS OF OUR SIX-COUNTY REGION ARE SERVED THROUGH ONE OF OUR MANY HOMEUW INITATIVES. IN ALL, HOMEUW HELPS SUPPORT 1-IN-3 OF OUR NEIGHBORS EACH YEAR. THE COMMUNITY MAPPING PROCESS ALLOWS HOMEUW TO IDENTIFY THE AREAS IN WHICH IT HAS A UNIQUE POSITION TO LEVERAGE RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO CREATE SOLUTIONS THROUGH COLLECTIVE IMPACT. THESE ONGOING COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS LED HOMEUW TO EVOLVE THEIR COMMUNITY IMPACT WORK THROUGH A COLLECTIVE IMPACT PLAN KNOWN AS OPPORTUNITY 2028. THESE ARE ISSUES THAT HAVE MULTIPLE CAUSES AND CAN'T BE SOLVED WITH A QUICK-FIX SOLUTION. HOMEUW WORKS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AT ITS CORE. WITH DONORS, VOLUNTEERS, AND LIKE-MINDED ORGANIZATIONS, UNITED WAY COORDINATES EFFORTS AROUND CLEAR GOALS TO CREATE LASTING CHANGE THAT WILL IMPROVE LIVES AND COMMUNITY CONDITIONS TODAY AND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THE GOALS OF OPPORTUNITY 2028 INCLUDE: MEETING BASIC NEEDS AND PROMOTING SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY MOVING 10,746 PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY BY 2028 PREVENTING, TREATING AND SUPPORTING RECOVERY FROM SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, ELIMINATING DEATHS DUE TO SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER BY 2028. ASSURING THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE QUALITY EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCES BY INCREASING THE PERCENT OF CHILDREN READING PROFICIENTLY AT THE END OF THIRD GRADE TO 58% BY 2028. "OPPORTUNITY 2028 - THROUGH THE COMMUNITY GRANTING PROCESS, 40 COMMUNITY- BASED PROGRAMS IMPACT THE LIVES OF 32,000+ RESIDENTS ACROSS OUR SIX-COUNTY REGION. AS THE LARGEST PRIVATE FUNDER IN THE AREA, HOMEUW MANAGES 717,500 IN GRANTS FOR 40 PROGRAMS TO MEET BASIC NEEDS AND PROMOTE SELF-SUFFICIENCY; PREVENT, TREAT AND SUPPORT RECOVERY FROM SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER; AND ENSURE THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE QUALITY EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCES. ADDITIONALLY, 102,000+ RESIDENTS OF OUR SIX-COUNTY REGION ARE SERVED THROUGH ONE OF OUR MANY HOMEUW INITATIVES. IN ALL, HOMEUW HELPS SUPPORT 1-IN-3 OF OUR NEIGHBORS EACH YEAR. THE COMMUNITY MAPPING PROCESS ALLOWS HOMEUW TO IDENTIFY THE AREAS IN WHICH IT HAS A UNIQUE POSITION TO LEVERAGE RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO CREATE SOLUTIONS THROUGH COLLECTIVE IMPACT. THESE ONGOING COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS LED HOMEUW TO EVOLVE THEIR COMMUNITY IMPACT WORK THROUGH A COLLECTIVE IMPACT PLAN KNOWN AS OPPORTUNITY 2028. THESE ARE ISSUES THAT HAVE MULTIPLE CAUSES AND CAN'T BE SOLVED WITH A QUICK-FIX SOLUTION. HOMEUW WORKS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AT ITS CORE. WITH DONORS, VOLUNTEERS, AND LIKE-MINDED ORGANIZATIONS, UNITED WAY COORDINATES EFFORTS AROUND CLEAR GOALS TO CREATE LASTING CHANGE THAT WILL IMPROVE LIVES AND COMMUNITY CONDITIONS TODAY AND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THE GOALS OF OPPORTUNITY 2028 INCLUDE: MEETING BASIC NEEDS AND PROMOTING SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY MOVING 10,746 PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY BY 2028 PREVENTING, TREATING AND SUPPORTING RECOVERY FROM SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, ELIMINATING DEATHS DUE TO SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER BY 2028. ASSURING THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE QUALITY EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCES BY INCREASING THE PERCENT OF CHILDREN READING PROFICIENTLY AT THE END OF THIRD GRADE TO 58% BY 2028.
- $10,788 spent. "VOLUNTEERISM - THROUGH AN ONLINE DATABASE (VOLUNTEERME.HOMEUNITEDWAY.ORG) VOLUNTEERS ARE MATCHED TO MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE REGION. ADDITIONALLY, VOLUNTEERME OFFERS CAPACITY BUILDING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR AGENCIES THAT UTILIZE VOLUNTEERS BY PROVIDING REGULAR TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT RESOURCES AND PEER TO PEER NETWORKING. HOMEUW IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR COORDINATING AN ANNUAL WEEK OF ACTION TO ASSIST NONPROFITS IN THE REGION WITH ONE-DAY SERVICE PROJECTS THAT THEY OTHERWISE MAY NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO COMPLETE.
- $50,059 spent. 211 - HOMEUW SUPPORTS 211 MAINE FOR THE 5-COUNTY AREA IT SERVES. 211 IS A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE DIRECTORY OF OVER 10,000 HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AVAILABLE IN MAINE. THE TOLL FREE 211 HOTLINE IS CONFIDENTIAL AND ANONYMOUS AND CONNECTS CALLERS TO TRAINED CALL SPECIALISTS WHO CAN HELP 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK. FINDING THE ANSWERS TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES QUESTIONS AND LOCATING RESOURCES IS AS QUICK AND EASY AS DIALING 211, TEXTING YOUR ZIP CODE TO 898-211, OR BY VISITING 211MAINE.ORG. 211 PROVIDES HOMEUW WITH UP-TO-DATE DATA AROUND COMMUNITY NEEDS AND UNMET NEEDS ON A MONTHLY BASIS. WHILE CALL VOLUME AND TYPE VARY FROM MONTH TO MONTH THE TOP CALL CATEGORIES FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS HAVE INCLUDED HEATING ASSISTANCE, UTILITIES ASSISTANCE, HOUSING, BASIC NEEDS-FOOD, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, HEALTH CARE/HEALTH INSURANCE, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES. CALL VOLUME SPIKES FOR HEATING ASSISTANCE SEPTEMBER THROUGH MARCH WITH HEATING ASSISTANCE CALLS OFTEN MAKING UP 60 - 70% OF THE CALLS. ADDITIONALLY, 211 RECEIVES CALLS FOR SEASONAL SERVICE NEEDS (THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS), TAX SERVICES (JANUARY-MARCH), AND WEATHER-RELATED DISASTERS (I.E. ICE STORMS). 211 - HOMEUW SUPPORTS 211 MAINE FOR THE 5-COUNTY AREA IT SERVES. 211 IS A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE DIRECTORY OF OVER 10,000 HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AVAILABLE IN MAINE. THE TOLL FREE 211 HOTLINE IS CONFIDENTIAL AND ANONYMOUS AND CONNECTS CALLERS TO TRAINED CALL SPECIALISTS WHO CAN HELP 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK. FINDING THE ANSWERS TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES QUESTIONS AND LOCATING RESOURCES IS AS QUICK AND EASY AS DIALING 211, TEXTING YOUR ZIP CODE TO 898-211, OR BY VISITING 211MAINE.ORG. 211 PROVIDES HOMEUW WITH UP-TO-DATE DATA AROUND COMMUNITY NEEDS AND UNMET NEEDS ON A MONTHLY BASIS. WHILE CALL VOLUME AND TYPE VARY FROM MONTH TO MONTH THE TOP CALL CATEGORIES FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS HAVE INCLUDED HEATING ASSISTANCE, UTILITIES ASSISTANCE, HOUSING, BASIC NEEDS-FOOD, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, HEALTH CARE/HEALTH INSURANCE, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES. CALL VOLUME SPIKES FOR HEATING ASSISTANCE SEPTEMBER THROUGH MARCH WITH HEATING ASSISTANCE CALLS OFTEN MAKING UP 60 - 70% OF THE CALLS. ADDITIONALLY, 211 RECEIVES CALLS FOR SEASONAL SERVICE NEEDS (THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS), TAX SERVICES (JANUARY-MARCH), AND WEATHER-RELATED DISASTERS (I.E. ICE STORMS).
- $719,863 spent. OTHERS - NEIGHBORS UNITED - THIS INITIATIVE LEVERAGES HOMEUW'S CONNECTIONS IN THE BUSINESS AND NONPROFIT SECTORS TO HELP PROVIDE NEEDED SUPPLIES TO RESIDENTS ACROSS OUR SIX-COUNTIES. HOMEUW WORKS WITH NONPROFITS AND BUSINESSES TO CONNECT THOSE IN NEED OF SUPPLIES WITH THOSE WILLING TO DONATE THE NEEDED ITEMS THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORS UNITED DRIVES. IN THE LAST YEAR, HOMEUW HELPED OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED OBTAIN OVER 152,000 WORTH OF GOODS (DIAPERS, SOCKS, TOOTHBRUSHES, SCHOOL SUPPLIES ETC.) VIA DONATIONS AND NEIGHBORS UNITED DRIVES. FUEL ASSISTANCE FUND -THIS INITIATIVE PROVIDES SMALL GRANTS THAT HELP FAMILIES STAY SAFE THROUGH THE WINTER BY PROVIDING FUNDS FOR EMERGENCY HEATING ASSISTANCE, ENERGY AUDITS, WINTERIZATION, WEATHERIZATION, AND HANDS-ON TRAINING IN ENERGY SAVINGS METHODS. IN THE PAST YEAR, THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED 17,452 IN GRANTS TO NON-PROFITS IN HOMEUW'S SERVICE AREA TO HELP LOCAL FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS IN NEED OF EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. FOOD SECURITY - HOMEUW HAS HAD A LONG-STANDING FOCUS ON FOOD SECURITY THROUGH PROGRAMS LIKE THE FEMA EMERGENCY FOOD & SHELTER PROGRAM (EFSP), THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS (NALC) FOOD DRIVE, AND HOMEUW'S FOOD DRIVES. HOMEUW IS COMMITTED TO RAISING THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO MEET THE IMMEDIATE FOOD SECURITY NEEDS FOR THE REGION WHILE ADDRESSING THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF HUNGER AND WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO STRENGTHEN THE FOOD SECURITY NETWORK. OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS OUR LOCAL NALC FOOD DRIVE HAS GENERATED OVER 1 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD, TRANSLATING INTO NEARLY 825,000 MEALS VALUED OVER 1.9 MILLION DOLLARS. THE BUNDLE PROJECT -BUNDLE IS A COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY-BASED PROJECT DEDICATED TO CONNECTING AND SUPPORTING FAMILIES IN THE MAINE HIGHLANDS AND FOCUSED ON THE WELL-BEING OF YOUNG CHILDREN, EXPECTING PARENTS, AND CAREGIVERS. THIS PROJECT COMBINES A USER-FRIENDLY WEBSITE WITH A COMMUNITY-BASED EFFORT, MAKING IT EASIER FOR FAMILIES TO ACCESS THE SUPPORT THEY NEED. AS PART OF THE BUNDLE PROJECT, EVERY NEWBORN AND THEIR CAREGIVER ACROSS THE MAINE HIGHLANDS WILL RECEIVE 4 BUNDLE BOXES AT THEIR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER. EACH BUNDLE BOX CONTAINS CAREFULLY SELECTED ITEMS THAT CATER TO THE AGE-APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF THE CHILD, AND THE WELLBEING OF THE CAREGIVER. HOMEUW IS EXPANDING BUNDLE TO SERVE FAMILIES IN HANCOCK, WALDO, AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES.
- OTHERS - NEIGHBORS UNITED - THIS INITIATIVE LEVERAGES HOMEUW'S CONNECTIONS IN THE BUSINESS AND NONPROFIT SECTORS TO HELP PROVIDE NEEDED SUPPLIES TO RESIDENTS ACROSS OUR SIX-COUNTIES. HOMEUW WORKS WITH NONPROFITS AND BUSINESSES TO CONNECT THOSE IN NEED OF SUPPLIES WITH THOSE WILLING TO DONATE THE NEEDED ITEMS THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORS UNITED DRIVES. IN THE LAST YEAR, HOMEUW HELPED OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED OBTAIN OVER 152,000 WORTH OF GOODS (DIAPERS, SOCKS, TOOTHBRUSHES, SCHOOL SUPPLIES ETC.) VIA DONATIONS AND NEIGHBORS UNITED DRIVES. FUEL ASSISTANCE FUND -THIS INITIATIVE PROVIDES SMALL GRANTS THAT HELP FAMILIES STAY SAFE THROUGH THE WINTER BY PROVIDING FUNDS FOR EMERGENCY HEATING ASSISTANCE, ENERGY AUDITS, WINTERIZATION, WEATHERIZATION, AND HANDS-ON TRAINING IN ENERGY SAVINGS METHODS. IN THE PAST YEAR, THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED 17,452 IN GRANTS TO NON-PROFITS IN HOMEUW'S SERVICE AREA TO HELP LOCAL FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS IN NEED OF EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. FOOD SECURITY - HOMEUW HAS HAD A LONG-STANDING FOCUS ON FOOD SECURITY THROUGH PROGRAMS LIKE THE FEMA EMERGENCY FOOD & SHELTER PROGRAM (EFSP), THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS (NALC) FOOD DRIVE, AND HOMEUW'S FOOD DRIVES. HOMEUW IS COMMITTED TO RAISING THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO MEET THE IMMEDIATE FOOD SECURITY NEEDS FOR THE REGION WHILE ADDRESSING THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF HUNGER AND WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO STRENGTHEN THE FOOD SECURITY NETWORK. OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS OUR LOCAL NALC FOOD DRIVE HAS GENERATED OVER 1 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD, TRANSLATING INTO NEARLY 825,000 MEALS VALUED OVER 1.9 MILLION DOLLARS. THE BUNDLE PROJECT -BUNDLE IS A COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY-BASED PROJECT DEDICATED TO CONNECTING AND SUPPORTING FAMILIES IN THE MAINE HIGHLANDS AND FOCUSED ON THE WELL-BEING OF YOUNG CHILDREN, EXPECTING PARENTS, AND CAREGIVERS. THIS PROJECT COMBINES A USER-FRIENDLY WEBSITE WITH A COMMUNITY-BASED EFFORT, MAKING IT EASIER FOR FAMILIES TO ACCESS THE SUPPORT THEY NEED. AS PART OF THE BUNDLE PROJECT, EVERY NEWBORN AND THEIR CAREGIVER ACROSS THE MAINE HIGHLANDS WILL RECEIVE 4 BUNDLE BOXES AT THEIR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER. EACH BUNDLE BOX CONTAINS CAREFULLY SELECTED ITEMS THAT CATER TO THE AGE-APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF THE CHILD, AND THE WELLBEING OF THE CAREGIVER. HOMEUW IS EXPANDING BUNDLE TO SERVE FAMILIES IN HANCOCK, WALDO, AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1959.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.