United Way Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
United Way of Southern Maine (UWSM) improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities.
- Income
- $8.9 million
- Spending
- $10.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 8.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 91%
- Employees
- 58
- Volunteers
- 1,701
- Highest pay
- $214,803, past secretary/president/ceo
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: 73 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.7 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 16% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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 2526 of 27 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 (4)
- $563,967 spent. UWSM ensures every young person can thrive by expanding access to early childhood education, literacy development, out of school learning, and strong family engagement. Many Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) households face barriers such as high child care costs and limited access to early learning resources that affect school readiness and third-grade reading, a key milestone for lifelong success. UWSM advances Thrive2027 Goal 1: By 2027, reduce the third-grade reading proficiency gap to no more than 10 percentage points between all third-grade students and those who have not fared as well. To support this goal, UWSM invested $306,354 in community schools and early learning programs and $60,814 in essential services like nutritious food and vision/hearing screening. Through the Child Care Incubator, one new child care business launched, with two more openings by May 2026. Volunteers contributed 1,150+ hours reading with children. Emerging Leaders United supported programs that help youth build literacy, explore STEAM, and stay engaged after school. UWSM also leads United 4 Child Care, a public-private partnership creating up to 400 new child care slots, including 24-hour options for families working non-traditional hours. Altogether, UWSM invested $1,221,807 in Youth Opportunity.
- $986,725 spent. UWSM helps individuals and families, especially ALICE households, build financial stability by expanding access to education, job training, income supports, and safe, stable housing. UWSM advances Thrive2027 Goal 2: By 2027, 70% of households will pay less than 30% of income on housing. In the past year, UWSM funded programs helped 698 households move from homelessness into safe housing and 1,425 households access or maintain shelter and safety. UWSM also supported LD 641, legislation with the potential to prevent homelessness for more than 1,000 Mainers each year. Through CA$H Greater Portland, UWSM helped 8,504 households secure more than $1.4 million in refunds and save filing fees; 161 households received the Earned Income Tax Credit totaling $342,751. Women United invested in eight programs supporting single mothers through child care, housing navigation, legal aid, education, and job training. As the backbone of the Southern Maine Workforce Initiative, UWSM leads a collaborative of 26 partners creating career pathways and employer readiness, including the Bridge Program, which provides industry specific training and wraparound services for jobseekers entering high demand fields. Altogether, UWSM invested $1,620,617 in Financial Security.
- $876,925 spent. UWSM works to ensure that every person can live a healthier life by expanding access to nutritious food, mental health services, substance use supports, and community resources. UWSM advances Thrive2027 Goal 3: Reduce preventable premature deaths by 10% by 2027. To save lives, UWSM partnered with the Maine Department of Education to create a multilingual animated naloxone training video used across the state. UWSM trained 191 individuals to recognize and respond to opioid overdoses and distributed 598 naloxone doses across Southern Maine. In December 2024, UWSM launched Read Away, enabling incarcerated mothers and grandmothers to record themselves reading to their children; 39 participants reached 55 children, who received books and materials supporting more than four hours of additional reading time. UWSM funded programs supported 364 youth healing from abuse and trauma and invested over $300,000 in nine programs expanding access to behavioral health care. Through UWSM's support of 211 Maine, residents received 6,400 referrals for mental health and addiction services, ensuring timely, confidential access to lifesaving resources. Altogether, UWSM invested $1,176,609 in Healthy Community.
- $4.8 million spent. 211 Maine, supported by United Way of Southern Maine (UWSM), is a free, confidential 24/7 information and referral service connecting people to essential supports, including housing and shelter, food assistance, mental health services, addiction treatment, utilities help, and crisis resources. Last year, 211 Maine fielded more than 67,008 calls, texts, and emails, providing vital assistance during times of need. 211 also operates specialized services such as the Opiate Helpline, Problem Gambling Helpline, and the statewide Help Me Grow access point. During emergencies, 211 partners with the Maine Emergency Management Agency to direct residents to shelters, provide real time updates, and support disaster recovery. UWSM also manages Keep ME Warm, Maine's only statewide emergency heating assistance initiative. Funds are distributed using LIHEAP formulas to Community Action Agencies, local United Ways, and 211. In 2024, 211 Maine provided over $208,000 in emergency heating support to 523 households and 1,149 individuals, ensuring families had safe, reliable heat during the winter months. Donor Designations: Giving your way.Donor designations allow contributors to direct all or part of their United Way gift to a nonprofit of their choice. These contributions support health and human service organizations across the region. Each designated agency is verified for nonprofit status and compliance with the USA Patriot Act before receiving funds, ensuring responsible stewardship and honoring donor intent.Volunteering: Change starts with people. UWSM believes lasting change happens when people come together to share their time, talent, and compassion. Volunteers are essential to supporting individuals and families who are working hard but struggling to make ends meet, especially ALICE households. Through year-round volunteer opportunities, UWSM connects people to causes they care about reading with students, preparing taxes, assembling literacy kits, and participating in custom workplace projects. UWSM also coordinates large scale community events such as the annual food drive, Day of Action, and literacy and meal kit assembly events. Last year, more than 1,200 volunteers contributed their time to community projects or served on UWSM committees guiding local investments. UWSM also hosts uwsme.galaxydigital.com, where individuals can find opportunities and nonprofits can post their needs. Whether someone volunteers for a single day or makes a long term commitment, every hour helps strengthen and connect our community.
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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1956.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.