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United Way of Berks County

EIN 23-1655375 · Reading, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UNITED WAY OF BERKS COUNTY IMPROVES LIVES BY INSPIRING COLLABORATION, VOLUNTEERISM AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO BUILD A STRONGER COMMUNITY.

Income
$15.7 million
Spending
$12.4 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
9.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 86%
Employees
34
Volunteers
2,497
Highest pay
$215,874, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 25

    36 of 36 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

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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. $9.8 million spent. MORE THAN 190,000 CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND SENIORS BENEFITTED FROM VITAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS FUNDED BY UNITED WAY OF BERKS COUNTY (UWBC) THROUGHOUT 2025. UWBC'S WORK AND INVESTMENTS FOCUS ON FOUR AREAS: EDUCATION, FINANCIAL STABILITY, HEALTH AND SAFETY NET SERVICES.SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SCH O.DURING 2025, UWBC INVESTED FUNDING IN 51 PROGRAMS DELIVERED BY 33 AGENCIES AND 5 CONTRACTED PARTNERS, AS WELL AS SUPPORTED COMMUNITY INITIATIVES AND PROVIDED VARIOUS ONE-TIME GRANTS. ALL PROGRAMS UWBC INVESTS IN ANNUALLY ARE EVALUATED BY OUR COMMUNITY IMPACT CABINET, FOCUS AREA PANELS (FAP) AND COMPLIANCE REVIEWERS, REPRESENTING 50 VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM VARIOUS SECTORS. THESE VOLUNTEERS DEDICATE INVALUABLE TIME TO ENSURE UWBC DOLLARS ARE INVESTED IN HIGH-PRIORITY PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS CRITICAL CURRENT COMMUNITY NEEDS, AS WELL AS PROGRAMS THAT ARE HIGH-PERFORMING - CONSISTENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY DELIVERING A HIGH-QUALITY PROGRAM PRODUCING MEANINGFUL RESULTS FOR PARTICIPANTS. ANNUALLY, PROGRAMS RECEIVING UWBC INVESTMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A REPORT THAT DETAILS HOW UWBC DOLLARS ARE SPENT TO SUPPORT PROGRAMMING AND THE OUTCOMES ACHIEVED BY CLIENTS. THESE OUTCOMES PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN DETERMINING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF UWBC INVESTMENTS IN PROGRAMS. IN ADDITION TO THE PROGRAMS OUTLINED BELOW, YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT UWBC'S VARIOUS 2025 GRANT RECIPIENTS AS REPORTED ON SCHEDULE I. UWBC INVESTED IN THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS IN 2025:EMPOWER YOUTH: HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIALUNITED WAY BELIEVES THAT EVERYONE CAN PLAY A ROLE IN ENSURING THAT CHILDREN GROW UP TO BE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS AND MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. THIS BEGINS WITH A GOOD EDUCATION THAT IS THE FOUNDATION FOR A CHILD'S SUCCESS IN WORK AND LIFE, ALONG WITH PROVIDING SUPPORTIVE PROGRAMMING THAT HELPS YOUTH DEVELOP NECESSARY SKILLS FOR THEIR FUTURES. TO MEET THIS GOAL, KEY ISSUES ADDRESSED BY UWBC AND ITS SUPPORTED PROGRAMS IN THIS FOCUS AREA INCLUDE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE, SCHOOL READINESS, SCHOOL SUCCESS, AND POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SINCE THESE ISSUES ARE ALL INTERTWINED IN HELPING CHILDREN ACHIEVE THEIR POTENTIAL. THESE PROGRAMS IMPACTED OVER 47,005 CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN BERKS COUNTY IN 2025. EARLY CARE AND SCHOOL READINESS - COMMUNITY-LEVEL OUTCOME: FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE AND QUALITY EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT RESULT IN KINDERGARTEN READINESS. -- COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, INC. IS A LEADER IN PROVIDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND FAMILY SERVICES FOR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED FAMILIES. SUPPORTING FAMILIES IN CHOOSING AND AFFORDING QUALITY CHILDCARE IS ONE OF THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE EARLY LEARNING RESOURCE CENTER. WHILE SUPPORT AROUND CHILDCARE CONTINUES TO BE A GREAT NEED IN THE COMMUNITY, THE AVAILABILITY OF DOLLARS SUPPORTED BY UNITED WAY HELPS ALLEVIATE DEMANDS ON THE CHILD CARE WORKS SUBSIDY PROGRAM HAS MEANT THAT THE WAITING TIMES TO ACCESS CARE IS REDUCED. THE FOCUS HAS BEEN ON SUPPORTING FAMILIES IN NEED WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR OTHER FUNDING SOURCES TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO CHILDCARE. -- OPPORTUNITY HOUSE, CHILDCARE: THE SECOND STREET LEARNING CENTER IS A COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY CHILDCARE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AGES 6 WEEKS TO 13 YEARS FOCUSING ON CREATIVITY, SOCIALIZATION, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH SELF-ESTEEM. ACTIVITIES ARE DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL CHILD. MULTI-CULTURAL AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT ARE OFFERED. IN 2025, OPPORTUNITY HOUSE OPENED PATTON AVENUE LEARNING CENTER AS ANOTHER COMPREHENSIVE CHILDCARE PROGRAM. --YMCA OF READING & BERKS COUNTY, CHILDCARE: OFFERS A SCIENTIFICALLY-BASED, IMPLEMENTED EARLY CHILDHOOD CURRICULUM THAT ALIGNS WITH THE PENNSYLVANIA LEARNING STANDARDS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD. SINCE PLAY IS THE FOUNDATION FOR YOUNG CHILDREN'S LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT, THE YMCA PROVIDES WELL-EQUIPPED AND CAREFULLY ARRANGED CLASSROOMS.- COMMUNITY-LEVEL OUTCOME: INDIVIDUALS GAIN KNOWLEDGE AND DEVELOP SKILLS TO ESTABLISH STRONG FAMILIES AND HELP CHILDREN REACH THEIR POTENTIAL. -- CENTRO HISPANO, ABRIENDO PUERTAS/OPENING DOORS PROGRAM: AN EVIDENCE-BASED, COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM, DEVELOPED BY AND FOR LATINO PARENTS WITH CHILDREN AGES 0 TO 5; AIMS TO IMPROVE THE OUTCOMES OF THE NATION'S LATINO CHILDREN BY BUILDING THE CAPACITY AND CONFIDENCE OF PARENTS TO BE STRONG AND POWERFUL ADVOCATES IN THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES. THE PROGRAM HAS DEVELOPED A HYBRID DELIVERY MODEL TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS FOR PARENTS TO PARTICIPATE, INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION. THIS PROGRAM ALSO ALIGNS WITH UWBC'S READY.SET.READ! INITIATIVE. -- YMCA OF READING & BERKS COUNTY, PARENTING PATHWAYS (FORMERLY BABY UNIVERSITY): OFFERED AS A 6-WEEK SESSION, EACH PARTICIPANT - PARENT OR CAREGIVER WITH A CHILD FROM PRENATAL TO FIVE YEARS OLD - RECEIVES A WEEKLY HOME VISIT IN ADDITION TO THE WEEKLY CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION, WHICH INCLUDES EDUCATION ON EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND EVIDENCE-BASED PARENTING CURRICULUM.SCHOOL SUCCESS - COMMUNITY-LEVEL OUTCOME: STUDENTS WILL ACHIEVE ACADEMIC SUCCESS BY IMPROVED ATTENDANCE AND/OR PROMOTION TO THE NEXT GRADE LEVEL. -- BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF BERKS COUNTY, MENTORING PROGRAM SERVICES: THEIR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE CHILDREN FACING ADVERSITY WITH STRONG AND ENDURING PROFESSIONALLY SUPPORTED 1-TO-1 RELATIONSHIPS THAT CHANGE THEIR LIVES FOR THE BETTER, FOREVER. THIS IS ACHIEVED THROUGH PROFESSIONALLY-DIRECTED MENTORING PROGRAMS UTILIZING CAREFULLY SCREENED AND TRAINED VOLUNTEERS AND INCLUDES ONE-TO-ONE PROGRAM, COUL (THE CLUB OF UNMATCHED LITTLES) GROUP-MENTORING, A TEEN PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES GROUP-MENTORING, AND SMART (STUDENTS & MENTORS ACHIEVING RESULTS TOGETHER), A SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAM.- COMMUNITY-LEVEL OUTCOME: STUDENTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES DURING THE SUMMER TO MAINTAIN READING SKILLS. -- BIRDSBORO COMMUNITY MEMORIAL CENTER, OUT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION PROGRAMS: THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM FOR YOUTH IN GRADES FIRST THROUGH SIXTH ALLOWS PARTICIPANTS TO PRACTICE AND LEA

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. 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 October 13, 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 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.