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United Way of Southwest Minnesota

EIN 41-6023143 · Marshall, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA INVESTS DONATIONS INTO OUR COMMUNITIES PRIMARILY THROUGH COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANTS. WE FOCUS ON FOUR KEY AREAS: YOUTH OPPORTUNITY, HEALTHY COMMUNITIES, FINANCIAL SECURITY, AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE. PROGRAMS THAT RECEIVE FUNDING ARE CAREFULLY SELECTED BASED ON THEIR SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF RESIDENTS IN LINCOLN, LYON, MURRAY, YELLOW MEDICINE, AND PARTS OF COTTONWOOD, LAC QUI PARLE, NOBLES, AND REDWOOD COUNTIES IN MINNESOTA.

Income
$409,767
Spending
$518,506
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
12.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
2
Volunteers
201
Highest pay
$64,614, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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 June 30, 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. $302,789 spent. COMMUNITY IMPACT: UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA IS A MINNESOTA NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. IT IS A LOCAL AUTONOMOUS 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION WORKING TO CREATE LASTING CHANGES IN PEOPLE'S LIVES AND THE COMMUNITIES IN LINCOLN, LYON, MURRAY, YELLOW MEDICINE AND PORTIONS OF COTTONWOOD, LAC QUI PARLE, NOBLES AND REDWOOD COUNTIES OF MINNESOTA. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS BY PARTNERING WITH NON-PROFIT AGENCIES, SCHOOLS OR LOCAL UNITS OF GOVERNMENT THAT SERVE PEOPLE IN THIS AREA OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND BY TARGETING GRANTS FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAMS THAT PRODUCE OUTCOMES WITHIN THE AREAS OF YOURTH OPPORTUNITY, HEALTHY COMMUNITIES, FINANCIAL STABILITY, AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE. ANNUALLY, THE UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS DETERMINES THE OVERALL FUNDING LEVEL FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANTS BASED UPON RESOURCES GATHERED DURING THE PRECEDING FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN. QUALIFYING ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE LOCAL PEOPLE ARE INVITED TO PREPARE GRANT PROPOSALS THAT ADDRESS STRATEGIES WITHIN THE ABOVE LISTED PRIORITY AREAS. GRANT APPLICATIONS UNDERGO REVIEW THROUGH AN ORGANIZED CITIZEN REVIEW PROCESS (OUTLINED IN PART IV, SCHEDULE I, PART 1, LINE 2). RECOMMENDATIONS ARE THEN PRESENTED TO THE UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR FINAL REVIEW AND APPROVAL. APPROVED GRANTS BECOME AVAILABLE JULY 1 OF EACH YEAR. ALL COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANTS ARE PAID OUT IN QUARTERLY INSTALLMENTS. COMMUNITY IMPACT: UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA IS A MINNESOTA NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. IT IS A LOCAL AUTONOMOUS 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION WORKING TO CREATE LASTING CHANGES IN PEOPLE'S LIVES AND THE COMMUNITIES IN LINCOLN, LYON, MURRAY, YELLOW MEDICINE AND PORTIONS OF COTTONWOOD, LAC QUI PARLE, NOBLES AND REDWOOD COUNTIES OF MINNESOTA. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS BY PARTNERING WITH NON-PROFIT AGENCIES, SCHOOLS OR LOCAL UNITS OF GOVERNMENT THAT SERVE PEOPLE IN THIS AREA OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND BY TARGETING GRANTS FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAMS THAT PRODUCE OUTCOMES WITHIN THE AREAS OF YOURTH OPPORTUNITY, HEALTHY COMMUNITIES, FINANCIAL STABILITY, AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE. ANNUALLY, THE UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS DETERMINES THE OVERALL FUNDING LEVEL FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANTS BASED UPON RESOURCES GATHERED DURING THE PRECEDING FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN. QUALIFYING ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE LOCAL PEOPLE ARE INVITED TO PREPARE GRANT PROPOSALS THAT ADDRESS STRATEGIES WITHIN THE ABOVE LISTED PRIORITY AREAS. GRANT APPLICATIONS UNDERGO REVIEW THROUGH AN ORGANIZED CITIZEN REVIEW PROCESS (OUTLINED IN PART IV, SCHEDULE I, PART 1, LINE 2). RECOMMENDATIONS ARE THEN PRESENTED TO THE UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR FINAL REVIEW AND APPROVAL. APPROVED GRANTS BECOME AVAILABLE JULY 1 OF EACH YEAR. ALL COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANTS ARE PAID OUT IN QUARTERLY INSTALLMENTS.
  2. $100,742 spent. INTERNAL PROGRAMS: UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA FOCUSES ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, FINANCIAL STABILITY, HUNGER, AND SAFETY & WELL-BEING. THE UNITED WAY SUCCESS BY 6 INITIATIVE STRIVES TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL CHILDREN ARE READY TO SUCCEED WHEN THEY ENTER KINDERGARTEN. CHILDREN WHO START BEHIND, STAY BEHIND. KEY STRATEGIES INCLUDE SPONSORSHIP OF THE DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY PROGRAM WHICH PUTS QUALITY, AGE APPROPRIATE BOOKS INTO THE HANDS OF CHILDREN (BIRTH - AGE 5) EACH MONTH AT NO COST TO THEIR FAMILIES; PREPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOOL READINESS KITS FOR ALL CHILDREN PRIOR TO ENTERING KINDERGARTEN; AND PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF LITERACY BUILDING AND ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS. OTHER INITIATIVE EXAMPLES: ANNUAL BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVES WHERE UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA PROVIDES STAFF SUPPORT, VOLUNTEERS, PUBLICITY, AND SERVES AS FISCAL AGENT; AND UNITED WAY STAFF ORGANIZE AND RECRUIT VOLUNTEERS FOR TARGETED COMMUNITY PROJECTS, I.E. DAYS OF ACTION, FOOD COLLECTION, AND VOLUNTEER READING EFFORTS. INITIATIVES ARE DEVELOPED OR SUPPORTED WHEN UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA IDENTIFIES A GAP OR NEED THAT IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO TAKE ACTION. INTERNAL PROGRAMS: UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA FOCUSES ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, FINANCIAL STABILITY, HUNGER, AND SAFETY & WELL-BEING. THE UNITED WAY SUCCESS BY 6 INITIATIVE STRIVES TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL CHILDREN ARE READY TO SUCCEED WHEN THEY ENTER KINDERGARTEN. CHILDREN WHO START BEHIND, STAY BEHIND. KEY STRATEGIES INCLUDE SPONSORSHIP OF THE DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY PROGRAM WHICH PUTS QUALITY, AGE APPROPRIATE BOOKS INTO THE HANDS OF CHILDREN (BIRTH - AGE 5) EACH MONTH AT NO COST TO THEIR FAMILIES; PREPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOOL READINESS KITS FOR ALL CHILDREN PRIOR TO ENTERING KINDERGARTEN; AND PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF LITERACY BUILDING AND ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS. OTHER INITIATIVE EXAMPLES: ANNUAL BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVES WHERE UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA PROVIDES STAFF SUPPORT, VOLUNTEERS, PUBLICITY, AND SERVES AS FISCAL AGENT; AND UNITED WAY STAFF ORGANIZE AND RECRUIT VOLUNTEERS FOR TARGETED COMMUNITY PROJECTS, I.E. DAYS OF ACTION, FOOD COLLECTION, AND VOLUNTEER READING EFFORTS. INITIATIVES ARE DEVELOPED OR SUPPORTED WHEN UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA IDENTIFIES A GAP OR NEED THAT IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO TAKE ACTION.
  3. $2,074 spent. SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM: IS TO PROVIDE AUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS, PROGRAMS, OR INITIATIVES IN NEED OF A SMALL, ONE-TIME GRANT FOR WORK THAT ALIGNS WITH UWSWMN GOALS FOR THE COMMON GOOD. UWSWMN SMALL GRANTS CAN BE USED FOR PROJECTS SUCH AS: PROGRAM WORK INCLUDING PLANNING, TRAINING AND/OR DEVELOPMENT; ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING INCLUDING STRATEGIC PLANNING, GOVERNANCE AND OTHER TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONAL PLANNING AND/OR DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES; COMMUNITY AND/OR HUMAN SERVICE WORK THAT INCLUDES VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION OR EMERGING OR UNMET NEEDS; AND/OR TO SUPPORT INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO LOCAL ISSUES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 April 1998.

    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.