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United Way of Lincoln County

EIN 23-7125926 · Lincolnton, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Mission of the United Way of Lincoln is to increase the organized capacity of people to care for one another.

Income
$457,224
Spending
$461,766
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
5.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
4
Volunteers
184
Highest pay
$68,804, executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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 March 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. $404,179 spent. United Way of Lincoln County provides funding to support the Health, Education and Financial Stability impact areas in 25 programs across the community. The funded agencies provide various programs that target the safety, health and well-being of citizens in Lincoln County. A Place to Grow offers an inclusive program specializing in serving children from ages one to five with developmental delays. The Boy Scouts provides programs for boys in our community that help in team building, character development and leadership skills. Their programs help strengthen families and individuals by supporting Boy Scouts in Grades 6-12 in Lincoln County and providing resources to 15 local troops. Communities in Schools provides mentorship programs for students to reduce the number of students dropping out of school. Kintegra assists individuals in obtaining the medications they need regardless of insurance and/or inability to pay. Hospice not only serves patients during the last moment of their lives, but they also provide family members with social, emotional and grief support. Lincoln County Coalition Against Child Abuse provides services that assist victims of various types of abuse while also assisting with training to various departments that help with the capture and prosecution of the abusers. Lincoln County Coalition Against Domestic Violence provides a safe place for victims of domestic violence while assisting them to move forward successfully. Lincoln County Family YMCA and Sally's YMCA provide scholarships for summer camps and after-school care programs for families that are not able to afford it. Lincoln County Community Friends Senior Services provides in home respite care for our county residents. Salem Industries addresses the health and wellness of individuals with disabilities as they promote their integration into the community through life enrichment activities, work preparation services and job placement assistance. Special Olympics provides sports training for individuals with intellectual disabilities. INVESTMENTS IN LINCOLN COUNTY YOUTH OPPORTUNITY 2,129 lives impacted through affordable, enriching childcare supports across our community 1,500 lives impacted by behavioral intervention programming & mentoring for at-risk youth 5,495 lives impacted through awareness, prevention, intervention, and education services focused on addressing and preventing child abuse in our community. FINANCIAL STABILITY 143 lives empowered through job and life skills support to reach economic stability 2,295 basic needs met through the West & Asbury resource centers 540 vulnerable neighbors were provided shelter and wrap-around resources for financial security $45,769 provided for emergency assistance and financial literacy programs HEALTH & WELL-BEING 3,297 individuals received affordable medication and health service assistance 90 lives impacted through aging adult caregiving services 1,095 individuals with disabilities and special needs benefited from programs providing job readiness, independent living skills, and inclusive sports and summer camp opportunities.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 March 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 September 1971.

    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.