United Way of 1000 Lakes
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
UNITED WAY'S MISSION IS TO IMPROVE LIVES BY MOBILIZING THE CARING POWER OF ITASCA-AREA COMMUNITIES. OUR VISION IS AN EQUITABLE ITASCA AREA WHERE ALL PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO THRIVE.
- Income
- $328,804
- Spending
- $428,798
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 5.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 97%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 395
- Highest pay
- $69,759, executive di
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: 50 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 36% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 30% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 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
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $243,700 spent. UNITED WAY OF 1000 LAKES STRIVES TO CREATE AN EQUITABLE ITASCA AREA WHERE EVERYONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES TO THRIVE. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH COMMUNITIES TO IDENTIFY PATTERNS, UNCOVER THE GREATEST NEED AND CHANGE SYSTEMS SO MORE PEOPLE HAVE ECONOMIC STABILITY. WE UNITE INDIVIDUALS, COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO INVEST THEIR TIME, FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND TALENTS AS PART OF OUR MOVEMENT TO BRING ECONOMIC WELL-BEING TO ALL FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE REGION. IN 2025, UNITED WAY FOCUSED ON CREATING IMPACT THROUGH KEY STRATEGIES: COORDINATING EFFORTS THROUGH A NEW SAFETY NET AND UPWARD MOBILITY FRAMEWORK THAT CENTERS A TWO-GENERATION APPROACH FOSTERING PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS SECTORS TO BRING INNOVATION, QUALITY, AND MEASURING AND REPORTING PROGRESS CONVENING COLLECTIVE ACTION AROUND GOALS AND COMMUNITY ISSUE AREAS BY LEADING AND SUPPORTING COALITIONS BUILDING CAPACITY OF ORGANIZATIONS AND FUNDING PARTNERS STRENGTHENING VOLUNTEERISM ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY ADVANCING OUTREACH, EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND PUBLIC POLICY AROUND GOALS PRIORITIZING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESS, AND INCLUSION AMONG THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS PRODUCED BY THIS STRATEGY IN 2025 INCLUDE: INVESTED OVER 144 THOUSAND ACROSS TWELVE ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS FOUR IMPACT AREA PILLARS: KIDS, RESILIENT FAMILIES; FAMILY FINANCIAL STABILITY; MINDS & BODIES; AND SAFETY NET ENGAGED THE COMMUNITY IN UNITED WAY INITIATIVES, WHICH COLLECT ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES AND DISTRIBUTED THEM TO LOCAL RESIDENTS. DEVELOP A SET OF SHARED OUTCOME METRICS AMONG GRANTEES LED THE TWO-GENERATION (2GEN) COALITION OF CHILD AND FAMILY ADVOCATES COMMITTED TO AMPLIFYING FAMILY WELL-BEING BY INTENTIONALLY AND SIMULTANEOUSLY WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND THE ADULTS IN THEIR LIVES. AMPLIFIED VOLUNTEERISM THROUGH ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT AND CLOUD BASED VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT PORTAL. UNITED WAY OF 1000 LAKES STRIVES TO CREATE AN EQUITABLE ITASCA AREA WHERE EVERYONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES TO THRIVE. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH COMMUNITIES TO IDENTIFY PATTERNS, UNCOVER THE GREATEST NEED AND CHANGE SYSTEMS SO MORE PEOPLE HAVE ECONOMIC STABILITY. WE UNITE INDIVIDUALS, COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO INVEST THEIR TIME, FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND TALENTS AS PART OF OUR MOVEMENT TO BRING ECONOMIC WELL-BEING TO ALL FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE REGION. IN 2025, UNITED WAY FOCUSED ON CREATING IMPACT THROUGH KEY STRATEGIES: COORDINATING EFFORTS THROUGH A NEW SAFETY NET AND UPWARD MOBILITY FRAMEWORK THAT CENTERS A TWO-GENERATION APPROACH FOSTERING PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS SECTORS TO BRING INNOVATION, QUALITY, AND MEASURING AND REPORTING PROGRESS CONVENING COLLECTIVE ACTION AROUND GOALS AND COMMUNITY ISSUE AREAS BY LEADING AND SUPPORTING COALITIONS BUILDING CAPACITY OF ORGANIZATIONS AND FUNDING PARTNERS STRENGTHENING VOLUNTEERISM ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY ADVANCING OUTREACH, EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND PUBLIC POLICY AROUND GOALS PRIORITIZING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESS, AND INCLUSION AMONG THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS PRODUCED BY THIS STRATEGY IN 2025 INCLUDE: INVESTED OVER 144 THOUSAND ACROSS TWELVE ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS FOUR IMPACT AREA PILLARS: KIDS, RESILIENT FAMILIES; FAMILY FINANCIAL STABILITY; MINDS & BODIES; AND SAFETY NET ENGAGED THE COMMUNITY IN UNITED WAY INITIATIVES, WHICH COLLECT ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES AND DISTRIBUTED THEM TO LOCAL RESIDENTS. DEVELOP A SET OF SHARED OUTCOME METRICS AMONG GRANTEES LED THE TWO-GENERATION (2GEN) COALITION OF CHILD AND FAMILY ADVOCATES COMMITTED TO AMPLIFYING FAMILY WELL-BEING BY INTENTIONALLY AND SIMULTANEOUSLY WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND THE ADULTS IN THEIR LIVES. AMPLIFIED VOLUNTEERISM THROUGH ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT AND CLOUD BASED VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT PORTAL.
- $75,113 spent. 5-2-1-0 PLAYSTATIONS - THE 5-2-1-0 PLAYSTATION INITIATIVE IS A TRUNK CONTAINING SPORTS GEAR THAT SUPPORTS FAMILIES RAISING HEALTHY CHILDREN THROUGH MORE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. PLAYSTATIONS ARE LOCATED IN SIX LOCAL PARKS AND NEIGHBORHOODS TO ENCOURAGE PLAY AMONG CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, REGARDLESS OF THEIR FAMILY'S FINANCIAL ABILITY TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT. VOLUNTEER PORTAL - UNITED WAY'S CLOUD-BASED VOLUNTEER PORTAL CONNECTS INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS IN THE ITASCA COUNTY AREA TO MEANINGFUL SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AT AREA NONPROFITS. LAUNCHED IN JULY 2020, THE PLATFORM IS PART OF UNITED WAY'S CAPACITY-BUILDING EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN VOLUNTEERISM. IN 2025, UNITED WAY FACILITATED 619 VOLUNTEER CONNECTIONS, GENERATING 1439 SERVICE HOURS ACROSS 52 LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS-MATCHING COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH CAUSES THAT NEED THEIR TIME AND TALENTS. DAY OF ACTION - THE REGION'S LARGEST VOLUNTEER EVENT, DAY OF ACTION MOBILIZES VOLUNTEERS TO COMPLETE PROJECTS THAT ENHANCE COMMUNITY SPACES AND BUILD COMMUNITY RESILIENCE. SINCE 2013, IT HAS BEEN CENTRAL TO ITASCA COUNTY'S VOLUNTEER-LED INITIATIVES, ENGAGING 1,298 VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE DONATED OVER 7,553 HOURS OF SERVICE-AN ESTIMATED VALUE OF 223,743. FLAVORS OF OUR COMMUNITY - A FOOD INSECURITY INITIATIVE THAT INCREASES ACCESS TO CULTURALLY SPECIFIC FOODS. PANTRY PACKS ARE THOUGHTFULLY ASSEMBLED AND DISTRIBUTED THROUGH SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS. IN 2025, THE PROGRAM DELIVERED 662 POUNDS OF FOOD TO 551 FAMILIES ACROSS 12 SCHOOL- BASED PANTRIES-HELPING ENSURE FAMILIES RECEIVE NOURISHING FOODS THAT REFLECT THEIR CULTURAL PREFERENCES. HOME FOR GOOD - A FINANCIAL STABILITY PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES ESSENTIAL HOUSEHOLD ITEMS-SUCH AS CLEANING SUPPLIES AND TOILETRIES-TO FAMILIES FACING ECONOMIC HARDSHIP. IN COLLABORATION WITH HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION ADVOCATES, THE PROGRAM HELPS SUPPORT ACCESS TO SAFE, STABLE HOUSING. IN 2025, OVER 51 FAMILIES RECEIVED CRITICAL SUPPLIES VALUED AT 3,086 THAT EASED FINANCIAL STRAIN AND PROMOTED LONG-TERM HOUSING STABILITY. RESOURCE LIBRARY - THE RESOURCE LIBRARY OFFERS NONPROFITS, CIVIC GROUPS, AND GRASSROOTS INITIATIVES ACCESS TO TOOLS THAT SUPPORT THEIR MISSIONS. AVAILABLE AT NO COST, RESOURCES INCLUDE TECHNOLOGY, ELECTRONICS, CONVENING SUPPLIES, AND A HYBRID MEETING SPACE-ALL DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND COLLABORATIVE WORK. STUFF THE BUS - A READY KIDS, RESILIENT FAMILIES' INITIATIVE, STUFF THE BUS PROMOTES EQUITY BY PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO SUCCEED. BACKPACKS FILLED WITH CLASSROOM-SPECIFIC SUPPLIES HELP REDUCE BARRIERS FOR FAMILIES AND SUPPORT STUDENT SUCCESS. IN 2025, MORE THAN 363 STUDENTS RECEIVED EDUCATIONAL TOOLS AND RESOURCES ACROSS 19 SCHOOLS. UNITED WAY 2-1-1 - UNITED WAY IS A PARTNER OF 2-1-1 MINNESOTA, A STATEWIDE SERVICE THAT PROVIDES FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INFORMATION. THE COMPREHENSIVE 2-1-1 DATABASE IS AVAILABLE 24/7 AND OFFERS INDIVIDUALS AND PROFESSIONALS ACCESS TO MORE THAN 40,000 RESOURCES THROUGH ONLINE SEARCH AND CHAT OR BY DIALING 2-1-1. UNITED FOR ALICE - UNITED FOR ALICE IS A UNITED WAY INITIATIVE THAT HIGHLIGHTS HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE ASSET LIMITED, INCOME CONSTRAINED, EMPLOYED-FAMILIES EARNING ABOVE THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL BUT STILL UNABLE TO COVER THE BASICS LIKE HOUSING, FOOD, CHILD CARE, AND HEALTH CARE. IN ITASCA COUNTY, 27% OF HOUSEHOLDS ARE ALICE, AND WHEN COMBINED WITH THE 13% LIVING IN POVERTY, 40% OF HOUSEHOLDS STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET. DENTAL CARE COLLABORATION - UNITED WAY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FORWARD HEALTH FOUNDATION AND 14 COMMUNITY PARTNERS, IS ADDRESSING ORAL HEALTH GAPS THROUGH EDUCATION, EXPANDED LOCAL SERVICES, CAREER PATHWAYS, AND ADVOCACY FOR RURAL FUNDING. A PILOT MOBILE CLINIC FUNDED BY UNITED WAY PROVIDED PREVENTIVE AND RESTORATIVE CARE TO UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED CHILDREN AGES 3-14, COMPLETING 14 CLEANINGS AND 14 TREATMENTS IN MARCH 2025. 2-GEN COALITION - UNITED WAY'S 2-GEN COALITION BRINGS 18 NONPROFIT AND SERVICE PARTNERS TOGETHER MONTHLY TO ALIGN STRATEGIES, SHARE RESOURCES, AND IMPLEMENT FAMILY-CENTERED APPROACHES LIKE FAMILY-CENTERED COACHING. WITH 2 -GEN SCHOLARSHIPS EXPANDING TRAINING, PARTNERS REPORT STRONGER FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND IMPROVED OUTCOMES-ADVANCING ECONOMIC SECURITY, EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT, AND HOLISTIC WELL-BEING FOR FAMILIES ACROSS THE REGION. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR NETWORK (VCN) - RURAL COMMUNITIES DEPEND ON VOLUNTEERS FOR OVER 60% OF CRITICAL SERVICES, YET NONPROFITS FACE GROWING CHALLENGES IN RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION. UNITED WAY LEADS THE VCN TO CONNECT VOLUNTEER MANAGERS, SHARE STRATEGIES, AND USE MODERN TOOLS LIKE A DIGITAL HUB. IN 2025, 45 NONPROFITS ENGAGED WITH VCN THROUGH MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS AND QUARTERLY CONVENINGS AND ONE ON ONE TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO MEET LOCAL NEEDS. 5-2-1-0 PLAYSTATIONS - THE 5-2-1-0 PLAYSTATION INITIATIVE IS A TRUNK CONTAINING SPORTS GEAR THAT SUPPORTS FAMILIES RAISING HEALTHY CHILDREN THROUGH MORE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. PLAYSTATIONS ARE LOCATED IN SIX LOCAL PARKS AND NEIGHBORHOODS TO ENCOURAGE PLAY AMONG CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, REGARDLESS OF THEIR FAMILY'S FINANCIAL ABILITY TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT. VOLUNTEER PORTAL - UNITED WAY'S CLOUD-BASED VOLUNTEER PORTAL CONNECTS INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS IN THE ITASCA COUNTY AREA TO MEANINGFUL SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AT AREA NONPROFITS. LAUNCHED IN JULY 2020, THE PLATFORM IS PART OF UNITED WAY'S CAPACITY-BUILDING EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN VOLUNTEERISM. IN 2025, UNITED WAY FACILITATED 619 VOLUNTEER CONNECTIONS, GENERATING 1439 SERVICE HOURS ACROSS 52 LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS-MATCHING COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH CAUSES THAT NEED THEIR TIME AND TALENTS. DAY OF ACTION - THE REGION'S LARGEST VOLUNTEER EVENT, DAY OF ACTION MOBILIZES VOLUNTEERS TO COMPLETE PROJECTS THAT ENHANCE COMMUNITY SPACES AND BUILD COMMUNITY RESILIENCE. SINCE 2013, IT HAS BEEN CENTRAL TO ITASCA COUNTY'S VOLUNTEER-LED INITIATIVES, ENGAGING 1,298 VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE DONATED OVER 7,553 HOURS OF SERVICE-AN ESTIMATED VALUE OF 223,743. FLAVORS OF OUR COMMUNITY - A FOOD INSECURITY INITIATIVE THAT INCRE
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
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 October 13, 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 June 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 September 1964.
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 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.