United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WE FIGHT FOR THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND EDUCATION OF EVERY PERSON IN THE GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY. WE ENVISION A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERY PERSON BELONGS AND EVERY PERSON THRIVES.
- Income
- $35.8 million
- Spending
- $30.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- -1.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 97%
- Employees
- 87
- Volunteers
- 2,970
- Highest pay
- $275,750, chief executive officer
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: 61 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 27% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 25% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2523 of 26 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 (1)
- $25.4 million spent. COMMUNITY IMPACT INVESTMENTS: IN SUPPORT OF OUR 2030 GOAL OF INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS READY TO LEARN AND SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL, OUR EDUCATION INVESTMENTS TOTALED $6,653,977; PROVIDING APPROXIMATELY 61,076 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH EARLY LITERACY SKILLS SUPPORT, HIGH-QUALITY EARLY LEARNING, PARENT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION, SUMMER KINDERGARTEN READINESS AND SKILL-BUILDING COURSES FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHERS AS WELL AS PROVIDING ELEMENTARY- AND MIDDLE-SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH TARGETED ACADEMIC INTERVENTIONS, SUMMER LEARNING, MENTORING, POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES AND FAMILY CASE MANAGEMENT. SEE ADDITIONAL INFO ON SCHEDULE O.IN SUPPORT OF OUR 2030 GOAL OF INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE OF OLDER ADULTS CONNECTED WITH RESOURCES THAT IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE, OUR HEALTHY AGING INVESTMENTS TOTALED $594,313 PROVIDING 9,475 OLDER ADULTS AND CAREGIVERS WITH CONNECTIONS TO RESOURCES INCLUDING GROCERY-SHOPPING SERVICES, FALL-PREVENTION PROGRAMS, TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, CHRONIC DISEASE PROGRAMS AND IN-HOME SUPPORT SERVICES. IN SUPPORT OF OUR 2030 GOAL OF INCREASING COMMUNITY SAFETY AND STABILITY THROUGH FOOD, HOUSING AND MENTAL HEALTH, OUR COMMUNITY STABILITY INVESTMENTS TOTALED $2,719,417, AND CONNECTED MORE THAN 109,822 PEOPLE TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES THROUGH HOUSING SUPPORTS; THE PA211 HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HELPLINE; FOOD ACCESS PROGRAMS SUCH AS PANTRIES, MEAL CENTERS AND SUMMER MEAL DISTRIBUTIONS; RESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS, AND CRISIS AND DISASTER RESPONSE.AGENCY DESIGNATIONS ACHIEVEMENTS: UNITED WAY OF THE GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY HONORS DONOR REQUESTS TO DESIGNATE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO ANY 501(C)(3) AGENCY WITH HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS. UNITED WAYS AROUND THE COUNTRY PERFORM THIS SERVICE FOR AGENCIES AS A COURTESY TO DONORS.LEHIGH VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS: UNITED WAY OF GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY INVESTS IN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS THAT IMPROVE ACADEMIC OUTCOMES BY REMOVING BARRIERS TO LEARNING. THIS APPROACH ENSURES ACCESS TO SAFE AND STABLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS WHERE EVERY CHILD CAN BELONG AND EVERY CHILD CAN THRIVE. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 34 LEHIGH VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS SERVING APPROXIMATELY 20,000 KIDS IN FIVE LEHIGH VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICTS: ALLENTOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT, BANGOR AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT, BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT, EASTON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT AND PANTHER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT. UNITED WAY SERVES AS THE CONVENER AND THOUGHT LEADER IN MOBILIZING SCHOOL DISTRICT LEADERSHIP, PRINCIPALS AND STAFF WHO LEAD THE VISION AT EACH SITE, AND TEAM OF PARENTS, EDUCATORS, COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS PARTNERS. THEY INVEST IN STAFFING AND SUPPORTS THAT IMPROVE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN READING AND MATH, INCREASE STUDENT ATTENDANCE AND ENGAGE MORE FAMILIES IN THEIR CHILDREN'S LEARNING. AGE-FRIENDLY LEHIGH VALLEY: RECOGNIZED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND AARP NETWORK OF AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES, AGE-FRIENDLY LEHIGH VALLEY IS A COLLECTIVE IMPACT COALITION DEDICATED TO BUILDING A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO AGE SUCCESSFULLY. LED BY UNITED WAY OF THE GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY AGE-FRIENDLY LV FOCUSES ON KEY AREAS INCLUDING HEALTH SERVICES, SOCIAL PARTICIPATION AND SOCIAL INCLUSION.OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES: OUR UNITED WAY RESPONDS QUICKLY EMERGING NEEDS, INCLUDING IMMEDIATE DISASTER RELIEF AND CRISIS SUPPORT. OVER $34,000 WAS RAISED TO SUPPORT 110 INDIVIDUALS DISPLACED BY MULTI-UNIT FIRES IN ALLENTOWN AND EASTON. 100% OF CONTRIBUTIONS DIRECTLY AIDED PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE FIRES.TEENWORKS IS A UNIQUE COLLABORATION OF LOCAL TEENS, LABOR UNIONS AND MEMBERS AND UNITED WAY OF THE GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY. GUIDED BY A VOLUNTEER BOARD OF TEENS AND LABOR LEADERS, TEENWORKS HAS PROVIDED MORE THAN $500,000 IN GRANTS TO SUPPORT 500+ COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS LED BY TEENS.RESILIENT LEHIGH VALLEY'S HANDLE WITH CARE INITIATIVE, A PROGRAM THAT ENABLES LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COMMUNICATE WITH SCHOOLS WHEN A CHILD HAS EXPERIENCED A TRAUMA, CONNECTED 796 YOUTH TO SCHOOL-BASED SUPPORT SERVICES.THROUGH A NEW HOUSING HERO INITIATIVE, UNITED WAY INVESTED $500,000 INTO EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND SHELTER PROGRAMMING TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS RATES AND MEET THE GROWING NEED FOR SAFE, STABLE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING. ALMOST 1,000 PEOPLE HAD ACCESS TO EMERGENCY SHELTER, AND ANOTHER 164 FAMILIES OR HOUSEHOLDS WERE ABLE TO AVOID EVICTION AND MAINTAIN STABLE HOUSING WITH FUNDING AVAILABLE THROUGH THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
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 October 13, 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 September 1991.
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 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.