Mesa United Way Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Helens Hope Chest lightens the burden of foster and kinship families through tangible resources and compassionate support.
- Income
- $1.4 million
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- 7.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 97%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 836
- Highest pay
- $126,644, ceo & 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 2510 of 10 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 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 (1)
- $1.1 million spent. Helens Hope Chest reduces the financial burden on foster and kinship families while creating a safe, welcoming, and dignified space for the children in their care. Through its shop-by-appointment boutique located in Mesa, foster and kinship children pick out clothing, books, school supplies, birthday gifts, and more at no cost. The holiday season culminates with JaKelles Christmas Box, when foster and kinship families choose from an assortment of high-quality gifts. The event brings even more holiday joy because it comes at no cost to the foster/kinship families. Newly formed agency partnerships have been valuable in creating a stronger program, while sharing resources and strengthening the network of services available for foster and kinship families in Arizona. Operating with a small staff and large army of seasonal and year-round volunteers, Helens Hope Chest accomplishes much. Sorting donations, laundering, organizing, displaying attire, and assisting shopping families with thoughtful attention creates a culture of care for those in need. With careful attention to costs and use of resources, funds are used to maintain a safe and welcoming environment and to ensure that inventory on hand meets the needs of each child who shops in the boutique. In 2025, with more than 7,000 shopping visits, Helens Hope Chest provided more than 56,000 items of quality clothing and shoes and 14,000 age-appropriate books for children in foster and kinship care. The need is as immense as the financial relief provided.
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? Worth knowing.
Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 August 2014.
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.