United Way of Central Indiana Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL INDIANA PARTNERS TO DESIGN, SUPPORT AND GROW SYSTEMS THAT ACCELERATE FINANCIAL STABILITY AND UPWARD MOBILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES LIVING IN OR NEAR POVERTY AND STRIVING FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE.WE HELP PEOPLE LIVE THE LIVES THEY ARE CAPABLE OF LIVING.
- Income
- $51.1 million
- Spending
- $61.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 6.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 63%
- Employees
- 153
- Volunteers
- 4,512
- Highest pay
- $507,470, president and 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
Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 13% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 34% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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 2552 of 53 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 (5)
- $14.8 million spent. United Way's Economic Mobility strategies focus on distancing 10,000 Central Indiana households out of poverty by investing in partners that expand access to jobs, education, and financial security. In 2024/2025, $10 million supported 29 CBOs serving 4,386 families and over 11,800 individuals, with a Peer Learning network established to strengthen collaboration and outcomes. The Center for Working Families (CWF) advanced stability for 3,264 individuals through integrated coaching, with 584 achieving an average monthly income increase of $1,400, supported by expanded training and evaluation tools. Additionally, the Workforce Pathways Accelerator pilot, launched with Dress for Success Indianapolis and Indianapolis Urban League, invested $200,000 in each partner to deliver certifications, training, and barrier removal, supporting 63 participants on pathways to sustaining-wage employment
- $9.6 million spent. United Way's Basic Needs strategy strengthens community organizations' ability to support Hoosiers in crisis by providing access to essentials such as shelter, food, health services, and transportation. In 2024/2025, UWCI awarded $12.45 million to 60 community-based organizations (CBOs) for basic needs, delivering nearly 2.9 million services and 3.6 million meals to over 140,000 individuals.
- $3.5 million spent. United Way's Early Care & Learning initiatives advance family stability by expanding access to affordable, high-quality childcare and education while promoting long-term academic success for children. In 2024/2025, 273 educators engaged in professional development through the Early Learning Providers Community of Practice. Additionally, the Early Childhood Education Providers Council has guided grantmaking to stabilize the workforce, and the ReadUP initiative has continued to enhance literacy outcomes, serving more than 7,500 students to date with the support of dedicated community volunteers. United Way advanced its Safe and Affordable Housing strategy in 2024 through a framework focused on reducing housing insecurity, expanding affordable housing supply, and fostering innovation. Key initiatives included the Winter Assistance Fund, which provided $127,224 in utility support to 212 households; and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, which distributed $2.69 million across six counties to strengthen shelter and food access. Additionally, the Homelessness Targeted Initiative Fund (TIF) advanced systemic solutions to homelessness through capacity building, governance improvements, and the development of a Case Management Institute to strengthen housing navigation and long-term stability.
- $22.4 million spent. Through Other Program services, United Way ensures that all our work is backed up with research and data, implemented with fidelity, and leveraged with other community resources. These included community needs/human services research; public policy advocacy; volunteer training, development, and deployment; nonprofit leadership education and training; and convening community leaders and funders to align resources around shared community goals. We also deployed $950,000 to 13 organizations through our social innovation fund grants. United Way addresses Central Indiana's most pressing needs in education, economic mobility, safe & affordable housing, and basic needs. Much of this work was accomplished in fiscal year 2024/2025 through support of accredited Community Based Organizations (CBOs) across the human services spectrum. These CBOs are part of a rigorous evaluation process that assesses organizational governance; leadership; diversity, equity & inclusion; financial stability; strategic planning; community responsiveness; sustainability & scalability; and ability to market and engage funders to support their work. United Way also supported these CBOs' general operations through donor designated and other-directed gifts; capital, technology and facilities maintenance grants; and evaluation, capacity building, contingency, staff support, and other activities. in addition, United Way administered donor designated dollars to a wide range of unaffiliated organizations across the non-profit sector.
- (Expenses $ 22,407,080 including grants of $ 16,003,065)(Revenue $ 612,377) Through Other Program services, United Way ensures that all our work is backed up with research and data, implemented with fidelity, and leveraged with other community resources. These included community needs/human services research; public policy advocacy; volunteer training, development, and deployment; nonprofit leadership education and training; and convening community leaders and funders to align resources around shared community goals. We also deployed $950,000 to 13 organizations through our social innovation fund grants. United Way addresses Central Indiana's most pressing needs in education, economic mobility, safe & affordable housing, and basic needs. Much of this work was accomplished in fiscal year 2024/2025 through support of accredited Community Based Organizations (CBOs) across the human services spectrum. These CBOs are part of a rigorous evaluation process that assesses organizational governance; leadership; diversity, equity & inclusion; financial stability; strategic planning; community responsiveness; sustainability & scalability; and ability to market and engage funders to support their work. United Way also supported these CBOs' general operations through donor designated and other-directed gifts; capital, technology and facilities maintenance grants; and evaluation, capacity building, contingency, staff support, and other activities. in addition, United Way administered donor designated dollars to a wide range of unaffiliated organizations across the non-profit sector.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1938.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.
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