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Passes our checks

Berkshire United Way Inc

EIN 04-2104841 · Pittsfield, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BERKSHIRE UNITED WAY IGNITES THE COLLECTIVE POWER OF INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO BUILD A STRONGER AND MORE EQUITABLE COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE CAN THRIVE. WE MAGNIFY YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO MAKE LASTING, POSITIVE CHANGE RIGHT HERE IN THE BERKSHIRES. WE ARE COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS AND STRENGTHENING FAMILIES WHERE WE LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
13.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
13
Volunteers
346
Highest pay
$150,509, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (1)
  1. $1.7 million spent. BERKSHIRE UNITED WAY BRINGS TOGETHER FINANCIAL RESOURCES, COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND LEADERS, AND VOLUNTEERS TO ADVANCE LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS THAT IMPROVE LIVES THROUGHOUT BERKSHIRE COUNTY. THROUGH EMPLOYEE GIVING, CORPORATE GIFTS, SPONSORSHIPS, GRANTS, AND INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS, BUW STRATEGICALLY INVESTED IN 29 HIGH-QUALITY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE A STRONG EARLY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION, CREATE COLLEGE AND CAREER PATHWAYS FOR YOUTH, SUPPORT HOUSEHOLD STABILITY, AND EXPAND ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. BY PROVIDING FLEXIBLE, GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT, BERKSHIRE UNITED WAY EMPOWERS ORGANIZATIONS TO SUSTAIN AND GROW THE ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS OUR COMMUNITY RELIES ON.BEYOND FUNDING, BERKSHIRE UNITED WAY LEADS COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVES AND CONVENINGS TO ADDRESS PRESSING COMMUNITY NEEDS. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025, BUW SERVED MORE THAN 20,000 CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND ADULTS -- APPROXIMATELY 16% OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY RESIDENTS THROUGH OUR PRIORITY WORK. UNITED IS THE WAY WE HELP ENSURE EVERY NEIGHBOR HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE.

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 September 1958.

    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.