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United Way of Central Illinois Inc

EIN 37-0716060 · Springfield, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UNITED WAY MOBILIZES COMMUNITIES TO ACTION SO ALL CAN THRIVE.WE SEE HOW OUR COMMUNITIES' GREATEST CHALLENGES ARE CONNECTED, AND HOW WE CAN BRING PEOPLE AND RESOURCES TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THEM.FROM STRENGTHENING LOCAL RESILIENCE TO ADVANCING HEALTH, YOUTH OPPORTUNITY, AND FINANCIAL SECURITY, WE'RE WORKING TOWARD A FUTURE WHEREEVERY PERSON IN EVERY COMMUNITY CAN REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
40.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
10
Volunteers
1,223
Highest pay
$152,745, presdient and ceo

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 40.7 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 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    29 of 29 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 (4)
  1. $386,427 spent. YOUTH OPPORTUNITY - TOO MANY CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY- ESPECIALLY THOSE IN ALICE (ASSET LIMITED, INCOME CONSTRAINED, EMPLOYED) HOUSEHOLDS AND UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOODS- FACE BARRIERS THAT LIMIT THEIR ABILITY TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND IN LIFE. WITHOUT STRONG EARLY FOUNDATIONS, THESE GAPS CAN WIDEN OVER TIME, IMPACTING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, CAREER PATHWAYS, AND LIFELONG WELL-BEING.UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING EVERY CHILD BUILDS A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR LIFELONG LEARNING. WE INVEST IN PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, LITERACY, ACADEMIC SUCCESS, AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FROM BIRTH THROUGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
  2. $247,979 spent. COMMUNITY RESILIENCY - FOR MANY ALICE HOUSEHOLDS, A SINGLE UNEXPECTED CRISIS- JOB LOSS, ILLNESS, NATURAL DISASTER, OR FAMILY VIOLENCE- CAN QUICKLY SPIRAL INTO LONG-TERM INSTABILITY. WITHOUT IMMEDIATE SUPPORT AND CLEAR PATHWAYS TO RECOVERY, SHORT-TERM EMERGENCIES CAN HAVE LASTING CONSEQUENCES. UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS STRENGTHENS OUR COMMUNITY'S ABILITY TO RESPOND TO AND RECOVER FROM CRISIS BY SUPPORTING A COORDINATED NETWORK OF FRONTLINE SERVICES THAT PROVIDE BOTH IMMEDIATE RELIEF AND CONNECTIONS TO LONGER-TERM SUPPORT.
  3. $213,984 spent. FINANCIAL SECURITY - MANY HARDWORKING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN OUR REGION- ESPECIALLY THOSE IN ALICE HOUSEHOLDS- STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET DESPITE BEING EMPLOYED. RISING COSTS, LIMITED WAGES, AND UNEXPECTED EXPENSES CREATE ONGOING FINANCIAL INSTABILITY AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS IS FOCUSED ON HELPING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN FINANCIAL STABILITY THROUGH EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT, HOUSING ACCESS, AND SKILL-BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES.
  4. $885,053 spent. HEALTHY COMMUNITIES - ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, TIMELY MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUPPORT REMAINS OUT OF REACH FOR MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY- ESPECIALLY FOR ALICE HOUSEHOLDS, SENIORS, AND UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS. BARRIERS SUCH AS COST, TRANSPORTATION, AND STIGMA OFTEN PREVENT INDIVIDUALS FROM GETTING THE HELP THEY NEED.UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS IS WORKING TO ENSURE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES CAN ACCESS THE SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE NEEDED TO NAVIGATE MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.RED FEATHER GRANTS PROVIDE SPECIALIZED FUNDING FOR UNIQUE COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES THAT FALL OUTSIDE THE UNITED WAY'S STANDARD FUNDING NORMS.THE PROGRAM HAD TWO GRANTS TOTALING $20,000 FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2025: $10,000 FOR THE AMERICAN RED CROSS OF SOUTH-CENTRAL IL (FUNDED VIA THE EMERGENCY FUND). $10,000 FOR A HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM STAFF POSITION, WHICH MANAGES DATA FOR 9+ ORGANIZATIONS.DIRECTED DESIGNATIONS - UNITED WAY ADMINISTERS THE DISTRIBUTION OF DESIGNATED DONOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO QUALIFYING NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY (DPIL) IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ONE, FREE, AGE-APPROPRIATE BOOK PER MONTH FOR CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE 5. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO INSTILL THE LOVE OF READING, PROVIDE BOOKS FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THEM AND BETTER PREPARE CHILDREN TO ENTER KINDERGARTEN READY TO LEARN. TOTAL EXPENSES FOR DPIL WERE $40,466.82.211 IS A TOLL-FREE INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICE PROVIDED TO CITIZENS IN SANGAMON AND MENARD COUNTIES. TOTAL EXPENSES FOR 211 WERE $8,453.33.DAY OF ACTION VOLUNTEERS SPEND THEIR AFTERNOON COMPLETING COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS AT VARIOUS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES IN SPRINGFIELD AND SURROUNDING AREAS. TOTAL EXPENSES FOR DAY OF ACTION WERE $3,360.GET CONNECTED IS UNITED WAY'S VOLUNTEER HUB. THE WEBSITE OFFERS ANY LOCAL NONPROFIT OR COMMUNITY GROUP IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS TO POST VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, IN-KIND NEEDS, UPCOMING EVENTS, AND EVEN EMPLOYMENT NEEDS. GET CONNECTED THEN ALLOWS MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY TO RESPOND TO THOSE NEEDS, EASILY SHARE WITH FRIENDS, CREATE VOLUNTEER GROUPS, TRACK SERVICE HOURS, AND EVEN RECEIVE NOTIFICATIONS WHEN YOUR FAVORITE NONPROFIT POSTS A NEW NEED. THIS PLATFORM HAS QUICKLY BECOME OUR REGION'S #1 SOURCE FOR LOCATING AND RESPONDING TO LOCAL VOLUNTEER NEEDS. TOTAL EXPENSES FOR GET CONNECTED WERE $2,861.25.FOOD INSECURITY - UNITED WAY ISSUED $30,865 IN EMERGENCY FOOD INSECURITY PAYMENTS TO BRIDGE CRITICAL GAPS FOR VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AFTER GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY FOOD PROGRAMS WAS HALTED. THIS RAPID-RESPONSE INITIATIVE PREVENTED A LAPSE IN BASIC NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT, ENSURING UNINTERRUPTED ACCESS TO FOOD FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING SEVERE HARDSHIP.

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 March 1942.

    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.