United Way of Massachusetts Bay Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To advance an economically just region where prosperity is shared across race and ethnicity.
- Income
- $41.4 million
- Spending
- $46.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 5.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 49%
- Employees
- 132
- Volunteers
- 1,880
- Highest pay
- $291,963, chief of staff
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
Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 18% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2541 of 42 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 (6)
- $10.9 million spent. EARLY EDUCATION AND OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME LEADING CROSS SECTOR COLLABORATION - Closing Achievement Gaps THE CHALLENGE - Students in Massachusetts face barriers that extend beyond the classroom. Chronic absenteeism is again on the rise, with 29% of low-income students missing more than 10 percent of school in 2025. In some districts like Boston, Lawrence, Lynn, and Lowell, the rates of absenteeism are as high as 20-30%. OUR APPROACH - Systems Leadership Through Community Schools United Way brings together people and partners across sectors to close achievement gaps and strengthen support for the whole child. We convene educators, families, nonprofit partners, and policymakers to align resources, integrate services, and create school-centered ecosystems of support. OUR RESPONSE & RESULTS United Way is expanding the Community Schools strategy across Massachusetts, turning schools into hubs that link families, schools, and local resources to support the whole child: - In the 24 community schools funded across Boston, Lynn, and Haverhill, chronic absenteeism decreased by an average of 3.95%. - Six community schools successfully exited DESE turnaround status, including Lowell's Bartlett, Butler, Moody, and Greenhalge schools, and Lynn's Ford and Washington schools. - Community partnerships raised $300,000 in monetary and in-kind donations for two United Way-supported schools in Haverhill. - The Massachusetts Coalition for Community Schools, led by United Way, is advocating to scale the model statewide. INVESTING IN AGENCIES - Making Childcare & After-School Programs Affordable and Accessible THE CHALLENGE - Massachusetts has some of the highest childcare costs in the country. High-quality early education remains inaccessible to families with the greatest need: Only 43% of low-income children are enrolled in preschool, and just 25% of Boston's school-age children participate in summer learning programs. OUR APPROACH - Strategic Investment to Scale What Works Investing in community-based organizations is one of United Way's core levers for advancing systemic impact. We deploy funding strategically to strengthen high-performing providers, expand proven models, and build regional capacity. United Way also drives statewide solutions to make early education and after-school programs accessible and affordable. OUR RESPONSE & RESULTS - Advanced a sustainable business model for family childcare entrepreneurs through Shared Services MA, training and licensing 62 educators, creating 372 new childcare slots, and expanding culturally responsive care in the Merrimack Valley. - Deployed state funding and resources to expand summer learning and after-school programs through the Summer Step Up program, reaching 1,863 children in partnership with 53 organizations across 28 communities. - Mobilized capital and expertise to strengthen 66 early education community-based partners across the region, providing thousands of young children with high-quality learning environments to address gaps in access and affordability. (Expenses $ 4,336,258 including grants of $ 4,336,258)(Revenue $ 48,531) DONORS TO THE CAMPAIGN MAY DESIGNATE ALL OR PART OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO SPECIFIC AGENCIES. SUCH AMOUNTS ARE NOT INCLUDED AS ALLOCATIONS TO AGENCIES AND ARE RECORDED AS A DEDUCTION FROM DONOR CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES. ALL DONOR DESIGNATIONS ARE VERIFIED FOR 501(C)(3) ELIGIBILITY AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE USA PATRIOT ACT (Expenses $ 3,527,459 including grants of $ 2,348,228) PATHWAYS FOR YOUNG ADULTS THE CHALLENGE Between the ages of 16 and 24, youth and young adults are in a critical period of their lives, defining who they are, exploring their skills and strengths, and dreaming of future goals. In Massachusetts, just under 1 in 10 young people in this age range are not in school or employed. Many youth in Massachusetts enter adulthood unprepared for the workforce, and Career Technical Education is offered in only 27% of high schools. For many young people, college isn't an option, and low-wage work offers limited growth. OUR APPROACH - Building Career Pathways That Reflect Today's Economy United Way ensures youth have access to education, career training, and real-world experiences, providing the support and opportunities they need to navigate nontraditional career paths. Rather than funding isolated programs, we strengthen a regional network that integrates competency-based learning, work-based learning, and apprenticeships into mainstream pathways. OUR RESPONSE & RESULTS - Partnered with 47 community-based organizations that provide education and career pathways to enable youth and young adults to obtain educational credentials, explore career interests, and complete training. Through these collaborations, we: -- Transformed non-traditional routes- competency-based learning, work-based learning, and apprenticeships- into mainstream options for career success. - Equipped young people with in-demand skills, preparing them for family-sustaining careers. - Strengthened opportunities for youth to contribute to their communities and pursue meaningful pathways beyond high school. (Expenses $ 2,324,600 including grants of $ 1,575,886) PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION INCLUDES UWMB'S INTERNAL RESOURCE ALLOCATION TO SUPPORT CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS.
- $8.0 million spent. SAFE AND STABLE HOUSING THE CHALLENGE - Skyrocketing housing prices are impacting everyone, exacerbating homelessness and making it harder for families to find and remain in affordable housing. Nearly one in five households statewide spend 50% or more of their income on housing, and the Commonwealth estimates 200,000 units are needed to meet the demand for affordable and supportive housing in Massachusetts. OUR APPROACH - Strengthening the Housing Ecosystem United Way is committed to expanding affordable and supportive housing, strengthening frontline organizations, and advancing policies that help families achieve long-term stability. OUR RESPONSE & RESULTS - Co-lead the Massachusetts Supportive Housing Pipeline Coalition, a statewide network of 80+ advocates, developers, service providers, and policy organizations, working to expand supportive housing and advance coordinated homelessness prevention and housing stability policies. - The Affordable Homes Act was signed, authorizing $5.16 billion for housing over five years and creating the Supportive Housing Pool Fund, championed by United Way of Massachusetts Bay, a new resource to streamline and expand housing-plus-services for individuals, families, youth, and young adults at risk of homelessness. - Strengthened the supportive housing pipeline by strategically investing in 30+ community-based partners building and advocating for affordable and supportive housing.
- $11.4 million spent. ECONOMIC INCLUSION AND WEALTH BUILDING AND CRISIS RESPONSE THE CHALLENGE - Many Massachusetts families live on a financial tightrope, one unexpected bill away from crisis. Nearly 300,000 people live in poverty in our region, and nearly 40% of households have little to no emergency savings. THE CHALLENGE - In 2025, sweeping federal policy changes disrupted access to jobs, food, housing, health care, and other essential supports, creating immediate instability for families and the nonprofit organizations they rely on, particularly within immigrant communities. OUR APPROACH - Coordinated, Real-Time Leadership United Way acted swiftly to stabilize households while strengthening systems that create long-term opportunity. We convened nonprofit, government, civic, and corporate leaders to track policy changes in real time, identify emerging needs, and coordinate action across sectors. OUR RESPONSE & RESULTS - Federal Response Calls: Since February 2025, United Way has convened biweekly calls with nonprofit, government, civic, and corporate partners to track policy changes, share real-time insights, and coordinate collective action across the Commonwealth. These conversations helped identify emerging community needs and informed the priorities supported by the United Response Fund. - United Response Fund: Launched in summer 2025, URF rapidly mobilized resources in response to federal decisions that reduced access to essential needs for vulnerable populations. In its first round, the Fund awarded $130,000 to four organizations: Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, Lawrence Community Works, Brazilian Workers Center, and Jewish Vocational Services to provide emergency assistance for food, housing, and utilities; strengthen workforce and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs for immigrant workers; and deliver immediate relief to families in crisis. (Expenses $ 4,336,258 including grants of $ 4,336,258)(Revenue $ 48,531) DONORS TO THE CAMPAIGN MAY DESIGNATE ALL OR PART OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO SPECIFIC AGENCIES. SUCH AMOUNTS ARE NOT INCLUDED AS ALLOCATIONS TO AGENCIES AND ARE RECORDED AS A DEDUCTION FROM DONOR CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES. ALL DONOR DESIGNATIONS ARE VERIFIED FOR 501(C)(3) ELIGIBILITY AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE USA PATRIOT ACT (Expenses $ 3,527,459 including grants of $ 2,348,228) PATHWAYS FOR YOUNG ADULTS THE CHALLENGE Between the ages of 16 and 24, youth and young adults are in a critical period of their lives, defining who they are, exploring their skills and strengths, and dreaming of future goals. In Massachusetts, just under 1 in 10 young people in this age range are not in school or employed. Many youth in Massachusetts enter adulthood unprepared for the workforce, and Career Technical Education is offered in only 27% of high schools. For many young people, college isn't an option, and low-wage work offers limited growth. OUR APPROACH - Building Career Pathways That Reflect Today's Economy United Way ensures youth have access to education, career training, and real-world experiences, providing the support and opportunities they need to navigate nontraditional career paths. Rather than funding isolated programs, we strengthen a regional network that integrates competency-based learning, work-based learning, and apprenticeships into mainstream pathways. OUR RESPONSE & RESULTS - Partnered with 47 community-based organizations that provide education and career pathways to enable youth and young adults to obtain educational credentials, explore career interests, and complete training. Through these collaborations, we: -- Transformed non-traditional routes- competency-based learning, work-based learning, and apprenticeships- into mainstream options for career success. - Equipped young people with in-demand skills, preparing them for family-sustaining careers. - Strengthened opportunities for youth to contribute to their communities and pursue meaningful pathways beyond high school. (Expenses $ 2,324,600 including grants of $ 1,575,886) PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION INCLUDES UWMB'S INTERNAL RESOURCE ALLOCATION TO SUPPORT CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS.
- $4.3 million spent. DONORS TO THE CAMPAIGN MAY DESIGNATE ALL OR PART OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO SPECIFIC AGENCIES. SUCH AMOUNTS ARE NOT INCLUDED AS ALLOCATIONS TO AGENCIES AND ARE RECORDED AS A DEDUCTION FROM DONOR CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES. ALL DONOR DESIGNATIONS ARE VERIFIED FOR 501(C)(3) ELIGIBILITY AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE USA PATRIOT ACT
- $3.5 million spent. PATHWAYS FOR YOUNG ADULTS THE CHALLENGE Between the ages of 16 and 24, youth and young adults are in a critical period of their lives, defining who they are, exploring their skills and strengths, and dreaming of future goals. In Massachusetts, just under 1 in 10 young people in this age range are not in school or employed. Many youth in Massachusetts enter adulthood unprepared for the workforce, and Career Technical Education is offered in only 27% of high schools. For many young people, college isn't an option, and low-wage work offers limited growth. OUR APPROACH - Building Career Pathways That Reflect Today's Economy United Way ensures youth have access to education, career training, and real-world experiences, providing the support and opportunities they need to navigate nontraditional career paths. Rather than funding isolated programs, we strengthen a regional network that integrates competency-based learning, work-based learning, and apprenticeships into mainstream pathways. OUR RESPONSE & RESULTS - Partnered with 47 community-based organizations that provide education and career pathways to enable youth and young adults to obtain educational credentials, explore career interests, and complete training. Through these collaborations, we: -- Transformed non-traditional routes- competency-based learning, work-based learning, and apprenticeships- into mainstream options for career success. - Equipped young people with in-demand skills, preparing them for family-sustaining careers. - Strengthened opportunities for youth to contribute to their communities and pursue meaningful pathways beyond high school.
- $2.3 million spent. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION INCLUDES UWMB'S INTERNAL RESOURCE ALLOCATION TO SUPPORT CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS.
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 August 1965.
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.