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United Way of Defiance County Incorporated

EIN 34-1657011 · Defiance, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO UNITE PEOPLE AND RESOURCES TO IMPROVE LIVES IN DEFIANCE COUNTY.

Income
$508,721
Spending
$481,692
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
12.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
3
Volunteers
753
Highest pay
$56,250, exec directo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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, 2024, 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 (5)
  1. $234,976 spent. UNITED WAY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY'S COMMUNITY IMPACT AREAS ARE: EDUCATION, INCOME, HEALTH, AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES. OUR COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN TAKES PLACE PREDOMINATELY IN THE FALL EACH YEAR WHERE WE SOLICIT THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT COLLABORATE TO ADDRESS OUR IMPACT AREAS. A GROUP OF DEDICATED COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS MAKE UP OUR COMMUNITY INVESTMENT TEAM WHO REVIEW, INTERVIEW, AND RECOMMEND FUNDING TO OUR BOARD. THE DONATED FUNDS SUPPORT 30 LOCAL PROGRAMS BENEFITING DEFIANCE COUNTY.
  2. $38,408 spent. THE BACK PACK BUDDY PROGRAM IS A WEEKEND FOOD PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN ENROLLED IN THE FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH PROGRAM AT EIGHT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN DEFIANCE COUNTY AND YOUNGER SIBLINGS AT HOME NOT ATTENDING SCHOOL. EACH WEEKEND DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR A BACK PACK WITH KID FRIENDLY, NUTRITIOUS FOOD IS SENT HOME WITH THE ENROLLED CHILDREN. ON AVERAGE ALMOST 500 BACK PACKS ARE STUFFED WEEKLY PROVIDING FOOD FOR THE CHILDREN.
  3. $12,574 spent. THE UNITED WAY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY COORDINATED THE 8TH ANNUAL KINDERGARTEN CAMP AT ALL 5 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. THIS PROGRAM IS A WEEKLONG INTRODUCTION TO KINDERGARTEN FOR STUDENTS WHO WERE SCREENED AS BEING "AT-RISK." 153 STUDENTS ATTENDED THE WEEKLONG PROGRAM. THE MONARCH FUND WAS ESTABLISHED FROM MONIES DESIGNATED TO US BY THE PROMEDICA FOUNDATION. THESE FUNDS ARE TO BE USED FOR HEALTH RELATED NEEDS. ONCE WE HAVE A SPECIFIC NEED WE CONTACT PROMEDICA AND REQUEST USE OF THE DESIGNATED FUNDS.
  4. $97,376 spent. ALL OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS OTHER PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE: THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CENTER, CEC, A VOLUNTEER PORTAL ON THE UNITED WAY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY WEBSITE THAT CONNECTS VOLUNTEERS WITH VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE CEC HAS OVER 1,100 REGISTERED VOLUNTEERS AND 69 REGISTERED AGENCIES WITH OVER 1,100 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE COORDINATED OR REFERRED. THE VOLUNTEER VALUE OF THOSE VOLUNTEER HOURS IS 38,269. HOSTED THE 11TH ANNUAL DR. SEUSS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION CONNECTING 105 VOLUNTEERS TO LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOMS TO READ BOOKS ALOUD. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE LETTER CARRIERS, 31,000 POUNDS OF FOOD WAS COLLECTED FOR 7 FOOD PANTRIES IN DEFIANCE COUNTY IN A SINGLE DAY. CONTINUED SUPPORTING THE FEEDING SUCCESS PROGRAM WHICH SUPPLIED A PERSONAL CARE AND FOOD PANTRY FOR EACH MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL IN DEFIANCE COUNTY. THE UNITED WAY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY IS A FISCAL SPONSOR FOR THE WOMEN'S GIVING CIRCLE OF DEFIANCE COUNTY. THE MISSION OF THE WOMEN'S GIVING CIRCLE IS TO SUPPORT PROJECTS THAT IMPACT THE LIVES OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN. THE IMAGINATION LIBRARY DISTRIBUTED 15,494 NEW BOOKS TO 1,500 CHILDREN AGED BIRTH TO 5 THROUGH THE DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY PROGRAM, WITH MORE THAN 2,300 CHILDREN GRADUATING SINCE 2009.
  5. ALL OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS OTHER PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE: THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CENTER, CEC, A VOLUNTEER PORTAL ON THE UNITED WAY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY WEBSITE THAT CONNECTS VOLUNTEERS WITH VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE CEC HAS OVER 1,100 REGISTERED VOLUNTEERS AND 69 REGISTERED AGENCIES WITH OVER 1,100 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE COORDINATED OR REFERRED. THE VOLUNTEER VALUE OF THOSE VOLUNTEER HOURS IS 38,269. HOSTED THE 11TH ANNUAL DR. SEUSS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION CONNECTING 105 VOLUNTEERS TO LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOMS TO READ BOOKS ALOUD. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE LETTER CARRIERS, 31,000 POUNDS OF FOOD WAS COLLECTED FOR 7 FOOD PANTRIES IN DEFIANCE COUNTY IN A SINGLE DAY. CONTINUED SUPPORTING THE FEEDING SUCCESS PROGRAM WHICH SUPPLIED A PERSONAL CARE AND FOOD PANTRY FOR EACH MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL IN DEFIANCE COUNTY. THE UNITED WAY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY IS A FISCAL SPONSOR FOR THE WOMEN'S GIVING CIRCLE OF DEFIANCE COUNTY. THE MISSION OF THE WOMEN'S GIVING CIRCLE IS TO SUPPORT PROJECTS THAT IMPACT THE LIVES OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN. THE IMAGINATION LIBRARY DISTRIBUTED 15,494 NEW BOOKS TO 1,500 CHILDREN AGED BIRTH TO 5 THROUGH THE DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY PROGRAM, WITH MORE THAN 2,300 CHILDREN GRADUATING SINCE 2009.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 November 1990.

    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 November 4, 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.