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United Way Blackhawk Region Inc

EIN 39-6006734 · Janesville, WI

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

IMPROVING LIVES BY MOBILIZING THE CARING POWER OF COMMUNITIES.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
24.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
6
Volunteers
672
Highest pay
$160,691, interim president & ceo (apr to oct)

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

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 24.7 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 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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, 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 (4)
  1. $759,825 spent. FINANCIAL STABILITY: UNITED WAY BLACKHAWK REGION, INC. (UWBR) IS FOCUSED ON ENSURING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES HAVE THEIR BASIC NEEDS MET AND ACHIEVE AND SUSTAIN SELF-SUFFICIENCY. IN 2024, UWBR ALLOCATED $687,738 TO 19 PROGRAMS WHICH CONNECT PEOPLE WITH CRITICAL RESOURCES FOR EMERGENCY OR BASIC NEEDS; ASSIST IN IDENTIFYING AND OVERCOMING OBSTACLES/BARRIERS TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY; INCREASE ACCESS TO SKILLS TRAINING, EDUCATION AND OTHER SUPPORT SYSTEMS THAT ENABLE PEOPLE TO ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
  2. $603,261 spent. EDUCATION: UWBR ENVISIONS A REGION WHERE ALL CHILDREN AND YOUTH WILL HAVE SUPPORTIVE LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW AND BECOME RESPONSIBLE ADULTS. IN 2024, UWBR ALLOCATED $546,028 TO 9 PROGRAMS WHICH SUPPORT CHILDREN AND YOUTH THROUGH EARLY LEARNING AND CARE SERVICES; BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS; CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES; EMPHASIZE ACADEMIC SUCCESS FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES; EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH TO BOND WITH PEERS, MENTORS, AND POSITIVE ROLE MODELS.
  3. $92,457 spent. HEALTH: UWBR SUPPORTS PROGRAMS TO HELP RESIDENTS OF ROCK COUNTY, WI AND NORTHERN WINNEBAGO COUNTY, IL TO ENJOY HEALTHY LIVES. IN 2024, UWBR ALLOCATED $83,685 TO 4 PROGRAMS WHICH INCREASE AWARENESS AND ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE RESOURCES AND PROMOTE HEALTHY LIVES THROUGH EDUCATION AND ACTIVITIES.
  4. $28,824 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS: UWBR SERVES AS A CONVENER TO BRING TOGETHER THE COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY UNDERLYING CAUSES OF PROBLEMS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES AND PARTNERSHIPS TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES. AS SUCH, UWBR LEADS AND/OR SERVES ON APPROXIMATELY A DOZEN LOCAL TASK FORCES ALIGNED WITH HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND/OR FINANCIAL STABILITY. ANNUALLY, UWBR HOSTS ITS DAY OF CARING, A DAY OF SERVICE WHEREAS HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS COMPLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS AT NONPROFIT AGENCIES ACROSS THE REGION. UWBR FUNDS 211, AN ANONYMOUS 24/7 HELPLINE THAT CONNECTS CALLERS WITH LOCAL PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UNITED WAY OF WISCONSIN AND UNITED WAYS ACROSS THE STATE, UWBR PUBLISHES THE ALICE REPORT ALICE, AN ACRONYM FOR ASSET LIMITED, INCOME CONSTRAINED, EMPLOYED, IS A NEW WAY OF DEFINING AND UNDERSTANDING THE STRUGGLES OF HOUSEHOLDS THAT EARN ABOVE THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO AFFORD A BARE-BONES HOUSEHOLD BUDGET. UWBR IS THE FINANCIAL SPONSOR FOR DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY IN THREE COMMUNITIES OF THE BLACKHAWK REGION. ENROLLED CHILDREN ARE GIFTED A FREE, AGE-APPROPRIATE BOOK IN THE MAIL EACH MONTH UNTIL THEIR 5TH BIRTHDAY. UWBR IS INSTALLING BORN LEARNING TRAILS ACROSS THE REGION. BORN LEARNING TRAILS ARE A SERIES OF 10 INTERACTIVE SIGNS THAT OFFER FUN, ACTIVE LEARNING ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1963.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.