United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
UNITED WAY COASTAL AND WESTERN CONNECTICUT (UWCWC) ENVISIONS A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERY PERSON IS HEALTHY, SAFE, AND ECONOMICALLY SECURE. OUR MISSION IS TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY TO ADDRESS CRITICAL NEEDS AND ADVANCE EQUITABLE PATHWAYS TO WELLBEING AND FINANCIAL SECURITY FOR EVERYONE. UWCWC SERVES 27-TOWNS ACROSS FAIRFIELD AND SOUTHERN LITCHFIELD COUNTIES AND MORE THAN 25-PERCENT OF THE STATE'S POPULATION. OUR WORK IS CENTERED ON THE ALICE (ASSET LIMITED, INCOME CONSTRAINED, EMPLOYED) POPULATION. THIS DATA-DRIVEN INITIATIVE HIGHLIGHTS THE TRUE COST OF LIVING IN OUR COMMUNITY. IN FAIRFIELD AND SOUTHERN LITCHFIELD COUNTIES, 42% OF HOUSEHOLDS LIVE BELOW THE ALICE THRESHOLD, WHICH REPRESENTS THE MINIMUM INCOME LEVEL NECESSARY FOR A HOUSEHOLD TO AFFORD THE BASIC COST OF LIVING IN THEIR COMMUNITY. ALICE FAMILIES INCLUDE ESSENTIAL WORKERS SUCH AS CHILD CARE PROVIDERS, HEALTH AIDES, RETAIL STAFF, AND EDUCATORS.
- Income
- $8.0 million
- Spending
- $9.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 7.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 74%
- Employees
- 57
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $223,251, 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: 74 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 19% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 49% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 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
0 of 10Did not give 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 (2)
- $1.1 million spent. COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANTS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS: UNITED WAY SUPPORTS PROGRAMS THAT CREATE MEASURABLE IMPACT IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION, FINANCIAL STABILITY, HEALTH, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND COMMUNITY BUILDING. WE LEVERAGE THE POWER OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND VOLUNTEER EFFORTS, INVESTING IN PROGRAMS THAT DRIVE STRONG OUTCOMES, FOSTER COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, AND PROMOTE LONG-TERM CHANGE. FUNDING DECISIONS ARE MADE LOCALLY BY VOLUNTEERS ACROSS FIVE REGIONS. GRANTS SUPPORT THOSE NONPROFITS THAT FOCUS THEIR RESOURCES ON LIFTING UP ALICE HOUSEHOLDS.
- $6.9 million spent. WHERE GAPS IN CRITICAL SERVICES EXIST, UNITED WAY COASTAL AND WESTERN CONNECTICUT DEVELOPS DIRECT SERVICE PROGRAMS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ALICE HOUSEHOLDS. UNITED WAY'S DIRECT SERVICE PROGRAM ACTIVITIES ARE FOCUSED ON EDUCATION, HEALTH, FINANCIAL STABILITY, AND COLLECTIVE ACTION. EDUCATION: UNITED WAY OF COASTAL AND WESTERN CONNECTICUT SUPPORTS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND LITERACY THROUGH SEVERAL INITIATIVES. SINCE 2018, THE CORA'S KIDS FAMILY CHILD CARE NETWORK HAS ADDED OVER 900 LICENSED CHILD CARE SLOTS, SUPPORTED 150 LICENSED PROVIDERS, AND SERVED MORE THAN 1,000 CHILDREN FROM LOW- TO MODERATE-INCOME FAMILIES IN GREATER DANBURY AND NEW MILFORD. TO BUILD COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND AWARENESS, CORA'S KIDS ALSO LEADS THE COMMUNITY MESSENGER PROGRAM, WHICH HAS TRAINED AND MOBILIZED OVER 170 INDIVIDUALS IN DANBURY AND NEW MILFORD. IN 2024, CORA'S KIDS LAUNCHED SEEDLINGS TO SPROUTS, A FARM-TO-SCHOOL INITIATIVE THAT HAS PLANTED 12 HOME GARDENS AND SERVED HUNDREDS OF PROVIDERS AND FAMILIES THROUGH ACCESS TO FRESH PRODUCE AND NUTRITION EDUCATION. A BACK TO SCHOOL PROGRAMS ACROSS GREATER DANBURY, SOUTHERN LITCHFIELD COUNTY, AND BRIDGEPORT DELIVER MUCH NEEDED SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME FAMILIES. HEALTH: LAUNCHED IN 2023, THE FOOD FARMACY OF GREATER DANBURY IS A FOOD AS MEDICINE INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR PATIENTS EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY AND DIET-RELATED CHRONIC CONDITIONS SUCH AS HYPERTENSION. THIS INITIATIVE IS OPERATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NUVANCE/NORTHWELL HEALTH AND CONNECTICUT INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITIES. IN 2024-25, 120 PATIENTS RECEIVED FRESH PRODUCE BENEFITS, NUTRITION EDUCATION, COOKING CLASSES, AND PERSONALIZED SUPPORT FROM DIETITIANS AND COMMUNITY IMPACT WORKERS. UNITED WAY ALSO COORDINATES THE DANBURY AND STAMFORD FOOD COLLABORATIVES, WHICH UNITE OVER 80 ORGANIZATIONS - INCLUDING FOOD PANTRIES, MEAL PROVIDERS, NONPROFITS, PUBLIC AGENCIES, FUNDERS, AND FAITH-BASED GROUPS - TO STRENGTHEN THE REGION'S RESPONSE TO FOOD INSECURITY. VOLUNTEERS SUPPORT THESE COLLABORATIVES THROUGH FOOD DISTRIBUTION, LOGISTICS, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH.FINANCIAL STABILITY: IN 2024-25, UNITED WAY PROVIDED DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO ALICE HOUSEHOLDS THROUGH A COMBINATION OF PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE HEALTHY SAVINGS PROGRAM, THE ALICE ENRICHMENT FUND, AND THE ALICE CRITICAL NEEDS FUND. IN TOTAL, OVER $360,000 WAS DISTRIBUTED TO 1,418 HOUSEHOLDS TO COVER ESSENTIAL EXPENSES SUCH AS FOOD, HOUSING, CHILD CARE, ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES, HEALTHCARE, TRANSPORTATION, TECHNOLOGY, AND UTILITIES. COLLECTIVE ACTION: UNITED WAY SERVES AS THE BACKBONE ORGANIZATION FOR THREE CRADLE-TO-CAREER COLLECTIVE ACTION INITIATIVES - BRIDGEPORT PROSPERS, STAMFORD CRADLE TO CAREER, AND THE DANBURY COLLECTIVE - AND IS A FOUNDING PARTNER OF THE CONNECTICUT CRADLE TO CAREER COALITION, WHICH INCLUDES NORWALK ACTS AND WATERBURY BRIDGE TO SUCCESS. THE THREE PLACE-BASED PARTNERSHIPS IN STAMFORD, BRIDGEPORT, AND DANBURY FOCUS ON BUILDING EQUITABLE SYSTEMS THAT SUPPORT MORE THAN 47,000 STUDENTS IN URBAN COMMUNITIES WHERE ALICE RATES ARE HIGHEST. UNITED WAY PROVIDES STRATEGIC RESOURCES, DATA SUPPORT, AND CONVENING POWER TO ALIGN PARTNERS AROUND SHARED GOALS AND MEASURABLE OUTCOMES FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD THROUGH POSTSECONDARY SUCCESS. EACH INITIATIVE IS TAILORED TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF ITS COMMUNITY. EXAMPLES OF CURRENT COLLECTIVE EFFORTS INCLUDE WORK IN BRIDGEPORT TO IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR BLACK AND LATINA MOTHERS, SHARED STRATEGIES IN DANBURY TO ADDRESS CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM THROUGH FAMILY AND SCHOOL SUPPORTS, AND EXPANSION OF FULL-SERVICE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IN STAMFORD TO PROVIDE ACADEMIC, WELLNESS, AND BASIC NEEDS SUPPORT. THESE EXAMPLES REFLECT A BROADER, ONGOING COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING EQUITY, STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE, AND ENSURING THAT EVERY CHILD HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE FROM CRADLE TO CAREER.VOLUNTEERISM: VOLUNTEERISM IS ALSO A VITAL COMPONENT OF THESE DIRECT SERVICE PROGRAMS. UNITED WAY ACTIVELY ENGAGES COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND CORPORATE PARTNERS IN SERVICE ACTIVITIES THAT ENHANCE PROGRAM DELIVERY AND EXPAND REACH. IN DANBURY, UNITED WAY OPERATES THE SENIORS ADD VALUABLE EXPERIENCE (SAVE) PROGRAM, WHICH CONNECTS RESIDENTIAL HOMEOWNERS AGED 65 AND OLDER WITH VOLUNTEER ROLES IN DANBURY CITY DEPARTMENTS AND NONPROFIT AGENCIES. IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR SERVICE, PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE A PROPERTY TAX CREDIT. DURING THE 2024-2025 CYCLE, THE SAVE PROGRAM ENGAGED 30 VOLUNTEERS ACROSS 15 NONPROFIT PARTNER SITES. THESE VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTED A TOTAL OF 6,601 HOURS OF SERVICE AND COLLECTIVELY SAVED $19,600 IN PROPERTY TAXES. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FINANCIAL RELIEF AND PEACE OF MIND FOR SENIORS LIVING ON FIXED INCOMES, WHILE ALSO STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY TIES.UNITED WAY OFFERS A VARIETY OF VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES TAILORED TO CORPORATE TEAMS AND INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES. THESE INCLUDE PARTICIPATION IN REGIONAL COMMUNITY COUNCILS - NORTHERN FAIRFIELD, SOUTHERN FAIRFIELD, STAMFORD, GREATER BRIDGEPORT, AND GREATER NORWALK - AS WELL AS INVOLVEMENT IN EVENT PLANNING COMMITTEES FOR INITIATIVES SUCH AS THE DAY OF ACTION, GOLF TOURNAMENT, AND GALA. CORPORATE PARTNERS ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN SKILLED VOLUNTEERING THROUGH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OR PROJECT-BASED SUPPORT, LEVERAGING EMPLOYEE EXPERTISE TO BENEFIT NONPROFIT PARTNERS. THROUGH THESE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, OVER 990 VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTED 790 HOURS OF TIME TO SUPPORT UNITED WAY AND ITS NONPROFIT PARTNERS. ADVOCACY: UNITED WAY ADVANCES POLICIES AND SYSTEMS CHANGE THAT SUPPORT THE WELL-BEING AND FINANCIAL STABILITY OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND OLDER ADULTS. WE WORK WITH MUNICIPAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL PARTNERS TO CHAMPION EQUITABLE ACCESS TO CHILD CARE, HOUSING, HEALTH CARE, NUTRITIOUS FOOD, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. OUR ADVOCACY APPROACH IS ROOTED IN COMMUNITY VOICE AND INFORMED BY DATA, LIVED EXPERIENCE, AND THE INSIGHTS OF OUR NONPROFIT AND CIVIC PARTNERS. WE ALSO PROVIDE TOOLS AND TRAINING TO HELP LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS ENGAGE IN POLICY DISCUSSIONS A
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 November 6, 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 July 1942.
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 November 4, 2026.
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