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United Way of Tri County Inc

EIN 04-2104231 · Framingham, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak33 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO INCREASE THE ORGANIZED CAPACITY OF PEOPLE TO CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER BY RAISING FUNDS, CONNECTING VOLUNTEERS, STRENGTHENING AGENCIES AND TEACHING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES.

Income
$10.1 million
Spending
$10.6 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
40
Volunteers
12,000
Highest pay
$328,776, president and ceo, clerk

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

Weak: 33 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 50% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (3)
  1. $7.2 million spent. FOOD SECURITY: IT IS OUR MISSION TO PROVIDE HUNGER RELIEF, IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE, AND CONNECT FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORS IN NEED TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES IN OUR COMMUNITY. OUR GOAL IS TO REDUCE LEVELS OF FOOD INSECURITY, WHILE STRENGTHENING THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND AVAILABLE RESOURCES. WITH FOOD PANTRY LOCATIONS IN FRAMINGHAM, MARLBOROUGH, AND CLINTON MASSACHUSETTS, THE UNITED WAY OF TRI-COUNTY'S FOOD SECURITY PROGRAM DISTRIBUTES OVER 4.5 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD ANNUALLY. WE ALSO PROVIDE HOT MEALS TO NEEDY INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN FRAMINGHAM AND CLINTON.
  2. $1.6 million spent. CALL CENTER: WE OPERATE MASS211, A STATE WIDE HOT LINE THAT PROVIDES FREE INFORMATION & REFERRAL SERVICES FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMONWEALTH 24/7 365 DAYS A YEAR. MASS211 IS FOR NON-LIFE THREATENING CALLS. WE ARE THE OFFICIAL HOT LINE FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, CHILDREN REQUIRING ASSISTANCE (CRA) AND THE MASSACHUSETTS RUNAWAY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.THROUGH OUR CALL2TALK MENTAL HEALTH/SUICIDE PREVENTION LINE PEOPLE WHO ARE DEPRESSED AND OR DESPONDENT CAN SPEAK TO A FRIENDLY HIGHLY TRAINED LISTENER SO THEY CAN TALK OUT THIR STRESS AND ANXIETIES. THIS IS A FREE SERVICE. CALL2TALK IS PART OF THE NATIONAL LIFELINE SUICIDE PREVENTION NETWORK.
  3. $773,520 spent. THE UNITED WAY OF TRI-COUNTY IS A COMMUNITY BUILDING ORGANIZATION THAT INVESTS OUR DONORS' CONTRIBUTIONS IN PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT HAVE A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS. OUR PRIMARY GOAL IS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES BY PROVIDING THEM THE OPPORTUNITIES THEY NEED TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE, SELF-SUFFICIENT MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. WE FUND COMMUNITY PARTNER AGENCIES THAT PROVIDE CRITICAL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND SINGLE ADULTS. ADDITIONALLY WE PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY IN THE AREAS OF FOOD SECURITY, PRODUCT PHILANTHROPY, INFORMATION & REFERRAL, SUICIDE PREVENTION AND CHILDHOOD LITERACY. WE ARE A VOLUNTEER DRIVEN ORGANIZATION THAT ENGAGES THE HELP OF OVER 12,000 VOLUNTEERS EACH YEAR.THE UNITED WAY OF TRI-COUNTY PROVIDES SERVICES TO THOUSANDS OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS IN 34 COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT NORFOLK, MIDDLESEX, AND WORCESTER 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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1960.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. 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.