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United Way of South Wood & Adams Counties Inc

EIN 39-1212595 · Wisc Rapids, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 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 SOUTH WOOD & ADAMS COUNTIES, INC. IS: UNITED WE CHANGE AND STRENGHTEN LIVES BY INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$964,924
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
32.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
8
Volunteers
827
Highest pay
$112,039, chief executive officer

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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 32.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% 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

    20 of 20 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 (3)
  1. $561,463 spent. UNITED WAY OF SOUTH WOOD AND ADAMS COUNTIES (UWSWAC) MADE ALLOCATIONS TO PARTNER PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON OUR IMPACT AREAS OF: EDUCATION, INCOME, HEALTH, AND SAFETY NET SERVICES. IN 2025, COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUNDS WERE ALLOCATED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: GRANTS FOR EDUCATION - UWSWAC MADE GRANTS TO 9 PROGRAMS THAT DIRECTLY INFLUENCE YOUTH. THESE PROGRAMS SERVED OVER 1,700 OF OUR YOUTH. THE FUNDING PRIORITIES IN THIS AREA ARE EARLY YEARS AND YOUTH SUCCESS.GRANTS FOR INCOME - UWSWAC AWARDED 1 GRANT, WHICH DIRECTLY INFLUENCED THE PRIORITY AREA OF FINANCIAL STABILITY. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, 5 FAMILIES WERE SERVED. GRANTS FOR HEALTH - UWSWAC AWARDED GRANTS TO 12 PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THE PRIORITY OF SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES IN OUR SERVICE AREA. THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS, OVER 4,000 PEOPLE RECEIVED A VARIETY OF SERVICES. GRANTS FOR SAFETY NET SERVICES - UWSWAC AWARDED GRANTS TO 8 PROGRAMS THAT HELP PEOPLE MEET BASIC NEEDS. THESE PROGRAMS SERVED OVER 39,000 PEOPLE. THE FUNDING PRIORITIES IN THIS AREA ARE EMERGENCY SHELTER AND FOOD.COMMUNITY COALITIONS: WE CONVENE OR PARTICIPATE IN A COMMUNITY COALITION FOR EACH OF OUR STRATEGY AREAS: SOUTH WOOD COUNTY HUNGER COALITION, HOMELESSNESS COALITION, EARLY YEARS COALITION, YOUTH SUCCESS COALITION, FINANCIAL STABILITY COALITION, AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES ROUNDTABLE. OTHER INITIATIVES INCLUDE VOLUNTEERISM; 827 VOLUNTEERS GAVE THEIR TIME THROUGHOUT 2025. THE GREAT BOOK GIVEAWAY SUMMER READING PROGRAM AND BOOK GIVEAWAY. THE FINANCE & INVESTMENT CHALLENGE BOWL HAS 99 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATING. SINGLECARE PRESCRIPTION DISCOUNT CARD, DIAPER DRIVE, AND STUFF THE BUS SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE AND DISTRIBUTION, WHERE 757 STUDENTS WERE SERVED.
  2. $117,023 spent. UNITED WAY'S 2-1-1 PROVIDES INFORMATION, RESOURCES, AND REFERRALS TO INDIVIDUALS 24/7 THROUGHOUT 13 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL AND NORTHERN WISCONSIN. CALLERS ARE REFERRED TO PROGRAMS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES THAT CAN HELP THEM. IN 2025, 7,044 CALLS WERE HANDLED. THE TOP NEEDS WERE HOUSING & SHELTER, MENTAL HEALTH & ADDICTION, AND EMPLOYMENT & INCOME. 724 OF THE CALLS WERE FOR SERVICES NEEDED THROUGH THE WISCONSIN ADDICTION RECOVERY HELPLINE.
  3. $59,953 spent. UNITED WAY OF SOUTH WOOD & ADAMS COUNTIES WOMEN UNITED (WU). THE MEMBERSHIP IS MADE UP OF WOMEN WHO CARE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND ARE WILLING TO INVEST ADDITIONAL FUNDS, OUTSIDE OF THE CAMPAIGN, WITH A PRIORITY ON LITERACY. THE MEMBERSHIP DETERMINES HOW FUNDS ARE ALLOCATED TO PROGRAMS THAT ALIGN WITH UNITED WAY OF SOUTH WOOD & ADAMS COUNTIES' MISSION. THE FOCUS OF WU IS LEARNING FOR LIFE - LITERACY, WHICH INCLUDES A READING MENTOR PROGRAM WORKING WITH STUDENTS IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD GRADE, DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY BOOK GIFTING PROGRAM, AND CLASSROOM GRANTS.

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 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 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 October 1965.

    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.