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Cedar Valley United Way

EIN 42-0801846 · Waterloo, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UNITING OUR COMMUNITY TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO THRIVE.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
6
Volunteers
115
Highest pay
$104,291, president

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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

    23 of 23 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 (2)
  1. $1.4 million spent. CEDAR VALLEY UNITED WAY WORKS TO ADVANCE THE COMMON GOOD BY FOCUSING ON EDUCATION, FINANCIAL STABILITY, AND HEALTH. THESE ARE THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR A GOOD LIFE. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES THE TOOLS TO A QUALITY EDUCATION, WHICH LEADS TO A STABLE JOB, AND ENOUGH INCOME TO SUPPORT A FAMILY THROUGH RETIREMENT AND GOOD HEALTH. THE GOAL IS TO INVEST TODAY TO MAKE THE LASTING IMPACT TO PREVENT PROBLEMS FROM HAPPENING.THE ORGANIZATION DIRECTS EDUCATION RESOURCES SO CHILDREN ARE PREPARED TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL, SO YOUNG PEOPLE CAN GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL, AND SO YOUNG ADULTS MAKE A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO WORK LIFE. THE ORGANIZATION HELPS FAMILIES BECOME FINANCIALLY STABLE AND INDEPENDENT BY INVESTING IN PROGRAMS WITH PROVEN STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE ECONOMIC WELL-BEING. PROGRAMMING INCLUDES JOB AND SKILLS TRAINING, OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO FAMILY-SUSTAINING WAGES, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND SERVICES THAT COVER THE FULL SPECTRUM OF HOUSING NEEDS FOR THOSE SEEEKING A PLACE TO CALL HOME.THE ORGANIZATION STRATEGICALLY INVESTS IN COMMUNITY PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT EDUCATION FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD THROUGH ADULTHOOD. INITIATIVES INCLUDE CAPACITY-BUILDING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS, LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AND SUPPORT FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, PARTICULARLY FOR VULNERABLE YOUTH. THE ORGANIZATION ADVOCATES FOR A MULTI-GENERATIONAL APPROACH TO ENHANCE IMPACTS, HELPING BOTH CHILDREN AND PARENTS ACHIEVE SUCCESS THROUGH EDUCATION.THE ORGANIZATION DIRECTS RESOURCES TO IMPROVING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES THROUGHOUT THE LIFESPAN. WE INVEST IN MULTI-GENERATIONAL HEALTH INITIATIVES PROMOTING HEALTHCARE ACCESS, MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH, AND PREVENTING AND ADDRESSING FAMILY VIOLENCE AND CHILD AND ELDER ABUSE. THROUGH COLLABORATION, THE ORGANIZATION AIMS TO REDUCE HEALTH BARRIERS, PROMOTE HEALTHY BEHAVIORS, AND EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS TO LEAD HEALTHIER LIVES. CONTINUUM OF SERVICES RANGE FROM PREVENTION TO TREATMENT AND CRISIS INTERVENTION. THE ORGANIZATION INVESTS IN EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS SO A TEMPORARY SET BACK DOES NOT BECOME PERMANENT.THE ORGANZATION PROVIDES ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES USING THE 211 SYSTEM.THE ORGANZATION HAS THE ABILITY TO RESPOND AS NEEDS ARISE THROUGH SOCIAL INNOVATION AND COMMUNITY PARTNER FUNDING.THE ORGANIZATION DIRECTS MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT FOR BOOKS FOR BABIES, THE CAMPAIGN FOR GRADE LEVEL READING, THE CEDAR VALLEY MENTAL HEALTH SUMMIT, LOCAL BOOK DRIVES AND THE A WOMEN'S CAREER MENTORING PROGRAM.
  2. $217,116 spent. EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE ORGANIZATION TO IDENTIFY, PRIORITIZE, AND ASSIST COMMUNITY NEEDS, PROVIDE OUTCOME MEASUREMENT TRAINING TO VARIOUS ENTITIES IN THE COMMUNITY, PROVIDE PROGRAM ASSESSMENT, REVIEW, SELECTION, AND ADMINISTRATION OF GRANTS, PROVIDE FINANCIAL AND STEWARDSHIP OVERSIGHT OF GRANT RECIPIENTS, AND PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS TO ADVANCE COMMON GOALS.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 December 1957.

    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.