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United Way of South Central Illinois

EIN 37-1149287 · Mount Vernon, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SOLICIT, COLLECT, AND OTHERWISE RAISE MONEY FROM THE CITIZENS OF WASHINGTON, MARION, JEFFERSON, FRANKLIN, HAMILTON, WAYNE, WHITE, EDWARDS, AND WABASH COUNTIES IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS FOR CHARITABLE, PHILANTHROPIC, AND BENEVOLENT PURPOSES.

Income
$293,012
Spending
$377,896
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
12.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
3
Highest pay
$62,000, executive dir.

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (12)
  1. $152,885 spent. UNITED WE GIVE - THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH A NATIONAL RETAIL DISTRIBUTION CENTER, UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS COORDINATES THE DISTRIBUTION OF ESSENTIAL GOODS, INCLUDING PERSONAL HEALTHCARE ITEMS, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, AND HOUSEHOLD NECESSITIES, TO SUPPORT LOCAL SCHOOLS, FOOD PANTRIES, SHELTERS, AND NONPROFITS IN JEFFERSON, MARION, AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES.
  2. $53,673 spent. PHILANTRHOPIC SERVICES - ALLOCATING RESOURCES TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND FINANCIAL STABILITY OF THE RESIDENTS OF WASHINGTON, MARION, JEFFERSON, FRANKLIN, HAMILTON, WAYNE, WHITE, EDWARDS, AND WABASH COUNTIES IN ILLINOIS. FUNDING RAISED IN ANNUAL CAMPAIGN ARE ALLOCATED TO 12 PROGRAMS ALIGNED WITH UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS PROVIDED BY 11 LOCAL PARTNER AGENCIES.
  3. $30,093 spent. EARLY LITERACY AND EDUCATION - THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY PROGRAM, UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS ALLOCATES RESOURCES TO PROMOTE EARLY CHILDHOOD LITERACY EDUCATION BY PROVIDING FREE BOOKS MONTHLY TO PARTICIPATING CHILDREN LIVING IN JEFFERSON, MARION, AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES FROM BIRTH TO AGE FIVE, NO MATTER THEIR FAMILY'S INCOME.
  4. $14,776 spent. CASE MANAGEMENT AND NAVIGATION SERVICES ARE PERFORMED BY UNITED WAY 2-1-1, A 24-HOUR MULTI-CHANNEL INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICE AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS OF SOUTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS BY DIALING 2-1-1. UNITED WAY 2-1-1 CONNECTS CALLERS IN NEED OF SOCIAL SERVICES WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES, VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, AND CRITICAL INFORMATION 24/7 DURING TIMES OF DISASTER. TRAINED COMMUNITY RESOURCE NAVIGATORS ALSO ASSIST INQUIRERS IN IDENTIFYING AND ACCESSING CRITICAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE RESOURSES. UNITED WAY 2-1-1'S DATABASE CONTAINS MORE THAN 2,500 AGENCIES PROVIDING MORE THAN 30,000 SERVICES ACROSS IT'S SERVICE AREA.
  5. $8,172 spent. EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER - UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS ADMINISTERED PROGRAM TO HELP MEET THE NEEDS OF HUNGRY AND HOMELESS PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE UNITED WAY'S SERVICE AREA BY ALLOCATING FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS FOR THE PROVISION OF FOOD AND SHELTER. EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER GRANT FUNDS ARE USED BY UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS TO PROVIDE FOOD, IN THE FORM OF SERVED MEALS OR GROCERIES, SUPPORT LODGING IN MASS SHELTERS OR HOTEL, MONTHLY RENT OR MORTGAGE PAYMENTS, MONTHLY UTILITY PAYMENTS, OR EQUIPMENT NECESSARY TO FEED OR SHELTER PEOPLE, UP TO $300 LIMIT PER ITEM.
  6. $6,314 spent. BASIC NEEDS & COMMUNITY INVESTMENT - THIS PROGRAMMING ENSURES THAT INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES HAVE THE BASIC NEEDS NECESSARY TO PROMOTE WELL-BEING IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH DIRECT SERVICES AND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT.
  7. $2,665 spent. PROGRAMS FOR NEEDY CHILDREN - UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS ADMINISTERED PROGRAM TO ASSIST CHILDREN IN NEED BY ADMINISTERING A SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE THROUGHOUT THE UNITED WAY'S SERVICE AREA. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO NEEDY CHILDREN TO HELP PREPARE THEM FOR ACADEMIC STUDIES, FACILITATE LEARNING, AND BUILD SELF ESTEEM.
  8. $2,147 spent. HEALTH AND SUPPORT FOR WOMEN - UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS' WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP COUNCIL PROVIDES SERVICES TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THE LIVES OF LOCAL WOMEN AND GIRLS BY PROMOTING SELF SUFFICIENCY AND LITERACY, THROUGH PHILANTHROPY, ADVOCATING, VOLUNTEERING, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.
  9. $1,192 spent. HOUSING STABILITY SERVICES AND HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE - THE PROVISION OF SUPPORT FOR HOMEOWNERS EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP TO PREVENT MORTGAGE DELINQUENCIES AND DEFAULTS, FORECLOSURES, LOSS OF UTILITIES, AND DISPLACEMENT OF HOMEOWNERS.
  10. HEALTH AND NUTRITION - UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS UTILIZED GRANT FUNDS TO MAXIMIZE CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS AND OTHER EMERGENCY FOOD PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES TO ENSURE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH MEALS AT SCHOOL AND AT HOME.
  11. CHILD SAFETY - UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS ALLOCATES RESOURCES TO SUPPORT LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING SERVICES TO YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES IN NEED OF COUNSELING, CRISIS INTERVENTION, EDUCATION, PREVENTION, AND SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE.
  12. KENTUCKY TORNADO RELIEF - UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS INITIATED PROGRAMS TO RAISE FUNDING IN SUPPORT OF KENTUCKY TORNADO VICTIMS. WORKING WITH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, DISASTER PARTNERS, AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES, UNITED WAY PROVIDED SUPPORT AND SERVICES FOR KENTUCKY FAMILIES IMPACTED BY THE DEVASTATING TORNADO EVENTS OF 2021.

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 1984.

    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.