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United Way of the Ozarks

EIN 44-0552047 · Springfield, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UNITED WAY OZARKS REGION UNITES PEOPLE, RESOURCES AND IDEAS TO ENHANCE LIVES IN THE OZARKS.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
19.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
10
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$144,972, president

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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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 (2)
  1. $1.3 million spent. UNITED WAY OF THE OZARKS DBA UNITED WAY OZARKS REGION SUPPORTS A COMMUNITY SAFETY NET OF SERVICES FOCUSED ON HELPING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AND IMPACTING THE CYCLE OF POVERTY. THIS SAFETY NET INCLUDES 20 PROGRAMS HOSTED BY OUR 15 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS IN 14 COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST MISSOURI. PROGRAMS ARE ORGANIZED AROUND ISSUES OF CHAMPIONING CHILDREN AND PATHWAYS OUT OF POVERTY AND FOCUS BOTH ON STRATEGIES TO CREATE FINANCIAL STABILITY AND SELF-SUSTAINING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. THROUGH THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM, UNITED WAY VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATE IN TRAINING TO LEARN THE CRITICAL ISSUES FACING THE COMMUNITY AS AGREED UPON BY SEVERAL COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVES; REVIEW INFORMATION PRESENTED BY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS; THEN DIRECT FUNDS FOR GREATEST IMPACT.
  2. $78,099 spent. UNITED WAY OZARKS REGION SUPPORTED MANY INITIATIVES. THESE INITIATIVES INCLUDE THE CANCER INITIATIVE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP OF THE OZARKS; VETERAN'S ASSISTANCE INITIATIVE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AMERICAN RED CROSS; AND 2-1-1. DAY OF CARING PROVIDES MORE THAN 1,400 VOLUNTEERS FROM OVER 80 COMPANIES TO COMPLETE 130 PROJECTS FOR 54 NON-PROFIT AGENCIES FOR A TOTAL VALUE OF $220,577 IN VOLUNTEER MANHOURS. GIVE 5 IS A "CIVIC MATCHMAKING" PROGRAM FOR AREA SENIORS/RETIREES THAT IS ENTIRELY FUNDED BY GRANTS AND SPONSORSHIPS.

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 December 1967.

    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.