United Way of Northeastern Minnesota Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
UNITED WAY OF NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA INVESTS IN NONPROFITS, PROGRAMS, AND COLLABORATIONS THAT EQUIP AND EMPOWER, CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO THRIVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $2.7 million
- Spending
- $3.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 11.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 81%
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 1,300
- Highest pay
- $120,572, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 73 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 14% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2522 of 22 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 March 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)
- $1.3 million spent. YOUTH OPPORTUNITYUNITED WAY OF NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA (UWNEMN) PRIORITIZES A HOLISTIC, MULTI-GENERATIONAL APPROACH TO ENSURING LOCAL CHILDREN HAVE THE BEST CHANCE AT SUCCESSFUL FUTURES. WE BELIEVE EDUCATION IS A POWERFUL TOOL FOR BREAKING THE CYCLE OF POVERTY, AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT BUILDING RESILIENCY IS KEY TO IMPROVING HEALTH, DEVELOPMENT, AND EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES.OUR IN-HOUSE PROGRAMS INCLUDE:IMAGINATION LIBRARY: THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES FREE MONTHLY BOOKS TO CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE 5 WITHIN OUR SERVICE AREA. SINCE ITS INCEPTION, WE'VE MAILED OVER 400,000 BOOKS, HELPING YOUNG CHILDREN BUILD EARLY LITERACY SKILLS AND A LOVE FOR READING.BRIGHT BEGINNINGS: THIS INITIATIVE ADDRESSES THE CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF CHILD CARE IN OUR REGION BY WORKING TO INCREASE AVAILABILITY, IMPROVE QUALITY, AND EXPAND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN LOCAL CHILD CARE SETTINGS.BABYSITTER TRAINING: WE OFFER TRAINING FOR LOCAL YOUTH TO EQUIP THEM WITH CHILD CARE SKILLS, ENCOURAGE RESPONSIBILITY, AND PROMOTE YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP.LUNCH BUDDIES: THIS MENTORING PROGRAM PAIRS STUDENTS WITH CARING ADULT MENTORS WHO MEET WITH THEM WEEKLY DURING LUNCH AND RECESS, OFFERING POSITIVE SUPPORT AND CONSISTENT ADULT PRESENCE IN THEIR LIVES.IN ADDITION TO OUR IN-HOUSE PROGRAMS, UWNEMN INVESTS IN PARTNER PROGRAMS THAT EMPHASIZE EARLY INTERVENTION, ACADEMIC IMPROVEMENT, AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. WE CURRENTLY FUND 11 AGENCY PARTNERS THAT WORK WITH CHILDREN DURING CRITICAL STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT TO: IMPROVE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, SUPPORT EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROVIDE EARLY INTERVENTIONS THAT PREVENT LONG-TERM CHALLENGES.BY SUPPORTING ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY CHILD CARE, EARLY EDUCATION, TUTORING, AND MENTORING, UWNEMN HELPS CHILDREN THROUGHOUT NORTHERN ST. LOUIS COUNTY, KOOCHICHING COUNTY, LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY, AND PARTS OF ITASCA COUNTY REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND PREPARE FOR BRIGHT, SUCCESSFUL FUTURES.
- $972,565 spent. HEALTHY COMMUNITIESUNITED WAY OF NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA (UWNEMN) IS COMMITTED TO ELIMINATING BARRIERS SO THAT EVERYONE IN OUR REGION HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE A LONG, HEALTHY LIFE. WE KNOW THAT IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES, PARTICULARLY THROUGH ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE CARE, PROPER NUTRITION, AND STRONG SOCIAL CONNECTIONS LEADS TO A MORE RESILIENT AND VIBRANT COMMUNITY.WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT FOOD ACCESS IS FOUNDATIONAL TO HEALTH. WITHOUT RELIABLE ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS MEALS, INDIVIDUALS, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, ARE AT GREATER RISK FOR POOR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES. THAT'S WHY HUNGER RELIEF IS A KEY COMPONENT OF OUR HEALTHY COMMUNITIES STRATEGY.IN-HOUSE PROGRAMSBUDDY BACKPACKS: THIS WELL-KNOWN UWNEMN PROGRAM IS A VITAL HUNGER-RELIEF EFFORT THAT DIRECTLY SUPPORTS THE HEALTH AND SUCCESS OF CHILDREN BY PROVIDING WEEKEND MEAL KITS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR TO STUDENTS IN EVERY SCHOOL IN OUR SERVICE AREA. WITHOUT BASIC NEEDS LIKE FOOD BEING MET, CHILDREN STRUGGLE TO FOCUS, GROW, AND LEARN.MEET UP AND CHOW DOWN: A FREE SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM THAT OFFERS NUTRITIOUS MEALS TO CHILDREN AGES 1-18 AT 14 SITES THROUGHOUT THE REGION. THIS PROGRAM HELPS BRIDGE THE NUTRITION GAP WHEN SCHOOL MEALS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, SUPPORTING HEALTHY GROWTH AND REDUCING CHILDHOOD HUNGER.UNITED FOR VETERANS: A VETERAN-LED INITIATIVE THAT SUPPORTS THE OVERALL WELL-BEING OF LOCAL VETERANS. IN ADDITION TO OFFERING CRISIS FUNDS AND HOLIDAY MEAL BASKETS TO VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES, THE PROGRAM ALSO HOSTS CONNECTION EVENTS AND HEALING RETREATS. THESE EFFORTS HELP COMBAT ISOLATION, REDUCE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES SUCH AS PTSD AND DEPRESSION, AND BUILD A SENSE OF BELONGING AND PURPOSE AMONG THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED.SMILES UNITED: LAUNCHED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CHILDREN'S DENTAL SERVICES (CDS), THIS PROGRAM DELIVERS VITAL DENTAL CARE INCLUDING CLEANINGS, FLUORIDE TREATMENTS, SEALANTS, X-RAYS, AND RESTORATIVE PROCEDURES TO UNDERINSURED AND UNINSURED INDIVIDUALS. SERVICES ARE OFFERED IN LOCAL SCHOOLS DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR AND AT THE UWNEMN OFFICE IN THE SUMMER. ORIGINALLY FOCUSED ON CHILDREN, THE PROGRAM HAS EXPANDED TO SERVE PATIENTS OF ALL AGES. TO FURTHER ADDRESS RURAL DENTAL CARE SHORTAGES, UWNEMN FORMED A DENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE TO RAISE AWARENESS AND ADVOCATE FOR EXPANDED SERVICES. GRANT FUNDING HAS ALSO BEEN SECURED TO HELP INDIVIDUALS IN URGENT DENTAL CRISES ACCESS CARE.VOLUNTEER CENTER: UWNEMN OPERATES A REGIONAL VOLUNTEER CENTER PROMOTING BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS IT'S ENTIRE SERVICE AREA.COMMUNITY INVESTMENTSUWNEMN ALSO FUNDS SEVEN AGENCY PARTNERS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING THE HEALTH AND INDEPENDENCE OF VULNERABLE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THESE PARTNERS PROVIDE:ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FACING CANCER OR LIFE-LIMITING ILLNESSES, SERVICES THAT HELP SENIORS REMAIN SAFE, HEALTHY, AND INDEPENDENT IN THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES, ENHANCED CARE AND OUTREACH TO VETERANS AND PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE SAFE, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS AND OVERALL WELL-BEING.TOGETHER, THESE PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS ENSURE THAT INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ACROSS NORTHERN ST. LOUIS COUNTY, KOOCHICHING COUNTY, LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY, AND PARTS OF ITASCA COUNTY HAVE ACCESS TO THE CARE, NUTRITION, AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO THRIVE - PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY.
- $437,244 spent. COMMUNITY RESILIENCYUNITED WAY OF NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA (UWNEMN) PRIORITIZES ENSURING THE SAFETY, STABILITY, AND SECURITY OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO MEETING ESSENTIAL NEEDS PROMPTLY AND WITH COMPASSION DURING TIMES OF CRISIS WHILE ALSO HELPING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WORK TOWARD LONG-TERM SELF-SUFFICIENCY ONCE STABILIZED.OUR IN-HOUSE PROGRAMS ADDRESSING THIS FOCUS AREA INCLUDE:COMFORTS OF HOME: PROVIDES HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES RECOVERING FROM A FIRE OR TRANSITIONING INTO STABLE, PERMANENT HOUSING.CRISIS RESPONSE: IN JUNE 2024, UWNEMN RESPONDED SWIFTLY TO THE DEVASTATING FLOODING THAT IMPACTED COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR SERVICE AREA, INCLUDING THE DESTRUCTION IN THE CITY OF COOK. WE MOBILIZED VOLUNTEERS FOR CLEANUP EFFORTS, RAISED FUNDS TO SUPPORT AFFECTED HOMEOWNERS AND BUSINESSES, AND SERVED AS A CENTRAL HUB FOR INFORMATION, RESOURCES, AND REFERRALS.BEYOND OUR INTERNAL PROGRAMS, UWNEMN FUNDS 10 AGENCY PARTNERS THAT PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO STABILIZE INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS. THESE PARTNERS WORK TO:ADDRESS EMERGENCY FOOD INSECURITY, PROVIDE SHELTER AND HOUSING STABILITY, SUPPORT VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, REDUCE THE PREVALENCE OF ABUSE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, PROMOTE ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND SAFE LIVING ENVIRONMENTS.ADDITIONALLY, UWNEMN SUPPORTS ALL LOCAL FOOD SHELVES WITHIN OUR REGION, HELPING TO ENSURE CONSISTENT ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD FOR THOSE IN NEED.THESE PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS SERVE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT NORTHERN ST. LOUIS COUNTY, KOOCHICHING COUNTY, LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY, AND PARTS OF ITASCA COUNTY, REINFORCING OUR COMMITMENT TO BUILDING A RESILIENT, COMPASSIONATE, AND STABLE REGION FOR ALL.
- $136,638 spent. FINANCIAL SECURITYUWNEMN SEEKS TO GENERATE A STRONGER FINANCIAL FUTURE FOR EVERY GENERATION. WE BELIEVE FINANCIAL STABILITY IS KEY TO A THRIVING, RESILIENT REGION. THAT'S WHY UNITED WAY OF NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA (UWNEMN) IS FOCUSED NOT ONLY ON MEETING IMMEDIATE NEEDS - BUT ALSO ADDRESSING THE LONG-TERM BARRIERS THAT PREVENT INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FROM ACHIEVING LASTING ECONOMIC SECURITY.DAY OF ACTION: 170 VOLUNTEERS UNITED IN NASHWAUK IN JUNE FOR UWNEMN'S ANNUAL DAY OF ACTION, A POWERFUL DISPLAY OF WHAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH COMMUNITY COLLABORATION. VOLUNTEERS COMPLETED 35 REVITALIZATION PROJECTS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY, SUPPORTING HOMEOWNERS, SMALL BUSINESSES, AND THE CITY ITSELF.RESIDENTS EITHER APPLIED FOR ASSISTANCE OR WERE NOMINATED BY NEIGHBORS. PROJECTS WERE PRIORITIZED BASED ON FINANCIAL OR PHYSICAL BARRIERS THAT MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR HOMEOWNERS TO COMPLETE THE WORK THEMSELVES. THIS INITIATIVE BRINGS NOT JUST IMMEDIATE RELIEF BUT REAL, LASTING VALUE TO THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST.ALICE: THIS YEAR, UWNEMN JOINED UNITED WAYS ACROSS MINNESOTA TO BRING THE ALICE REPORT A GROUNDBREAKING TOOL THAT REVEALS THE TRUE EXTENT OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIP IN OUR STATE. FOR DECADES, WE RELIED ON THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES, A FORMULA CREATED IN THE 1960S THAT NO LONGER REFLECTS THE REAL COST OF LIVING. ALICE CHANGES THAT.ALICE (ASSET LIMITED, INCOME CONSTRAINED, EMPLOYED) HOUSEHOLDS EARN ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE BUT STILL STRUGGLE TO AFFORD BASIC NECESSITIES SUCH AS HOUSING, CHILDCARE, TRANSPORTATION, FOOD, AND HEALTHCARE. THE DATA IS UPDATED ANNUALLY AND BROKEN DOWN BY COMMUNITY, OFFERING A CLEARER, MORE ACCURATE VIEW OF ECONOMIC VULNERABILITY.ACROSS OUR REGION NEARLY 1 IN 3 HOUSEHOLDS ARE WORKING HARD BUT STILL FALLING BEHIND.THESE ARE OUR NEIGHBORS, COWORKERS, CAREGIVERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THEY ARE DOING EVERYTHING RIGHT BUT SIMPLY CAN'T KEEP UP.UWNEMN IS ALREADY REACHING ALICE FAMILIES THROUGH PROGRAMS LIKE BUDDY BACKPACKS, COMFORTS OF HOME, AND DAY OF ACTION. BUT WE KNOW IT'S NOT ENOUGH.WE'RE ACTIVELY EDUCATING LOCAL LEADERS AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS ABOUT THE REALITIES ALICE FAMILIES FACE, USING ALICE DATA TO INFORM PROGRAM DESIGN, INVESTMENTS, AND POLICY ADVOCACY AND ENCOURAGING AGENCY PARTNERS TO ADAPT THEIR ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA TO INCLUDE ALICE HOUSEHOLDS.WHILE WE ARE STILL DEVELOPING NEW INITIATIVES SPECIFICALLY TARGETED TO ALICE, WE ARE DEEPLY COMMITTED TO LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS, NOT JUST TEMPORARY RELIEF.TOGETHER, WE CAN ENSURE THAT WORKING FAMILIES AREN'T LEFT BEHIND AND THAT A STRONGER FINANCIAL FUTURE IS POSSIBLE FOR EVERY GENERATION.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1966.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.