United Way of the Kearney Area Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE UNITED WAY OF THE KEARNEY AREA'S PRIMARY MISSION IS TO INCREASE THE OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THOSE IN THE REGION.
- Income
- $360,047
- Spending
- $422,908
- Spent on programs
- 65%
- Reserves
- 3.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 87%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $56,552, executive director
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
Fair: 63 out of 100.
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 13% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1565% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 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: 97 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2522 of 22 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 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 (3)
- $56,453 spent. COMMUNITY SERVICES: YOUTH OPPORTUNITY - IMPROVING ON-TIME GRADUATION RATES CHANGES EVERY COMMUNITY FOR THE BETTER AND IT STARTS BY PREPARING ALL CHILDREN FOR KINDERGARTEN AND KEEPING THEM ENGAGED IN SCHOOL THROUGH MENTORING AND ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: RECREATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS, COATS FOR KIDS, OUTDOOR FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT, RANDOM ACTS OF KINDESS WEEK, AND FREE LITTLE LIBRARIES. PROGRAMS WERE FUNDED AS FOLLOWS: ADULT BASIC EDUCATION - $250; ARC OF BUFFALO COUNTY - $4,018; FRANKLIN CO CASA - $3,785; COLLAGE CENTER - $6,168; GIRL SCOUTS - $3,026; HEAD START - $6,193; THE FRIENDS PROGRAM - $10,543.
- $92,214 spent. COMMUNITY SERVICES: FINANCIAL SECURITY - MANY LOCAL FAMILIES SPEND MORE THAN 40% OF THEIR TAKE HOME PAY ON HOUSING, WHICH DOES NOT LEAVE ENOUGH TO COVER OTHER NECESSITIES LIKE FOOD, UTILITIES, OR MEDICAL CARE. UNITED WAY'S PARTNER AGENCIES COLLABORATE TO PREVENT EVICTIONS AND HOMELESSNESS BY PROVIDING ASSISTANCE FOR RENT AND UTILITIES.UNITED WAY PARTNERS WITH POSTAL CARRIERS TO STAMP OUT HUNGER, WHICH BROUGHT IN OVER 4,500 POUNDS OF FOOD TO SUPPORT AREA FOOD PANTRIES. PROGRAMS WERE FUNDED AS FOLLOWS: HOMELESS PREVENTION - $8,901; JUBILEE CENTER - $21,018; MINDEN SENIOR CENTER - $2,850; RAFT - $9,710; SALVATION ARMY - $8,849.
- $125,892 spent. COMMUNITY SERVICES: HEALTHY COMMUNITY - EACH YEAR THE UNITED WAY OF THE KEARNEY AREA INVESTS IN PROGRAMS THAT IMPROVE HEALTHY BEHAVIORS, PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY SAFETY, AND ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES.UNITED WAY HOSTED A PICKLBALL TOURNAMENT TO ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO LEARN A NEW SPORT. PROGRAMS WERE FUNDED AS FOLLOWS: ARC OF BUFFALO COUNTY - $4,554; FRANKLIN CO CASA - $1,391; COLLAGE CENTER - $6,602; COMPASS - $10,433; FAMILY ADVOCACY NETWORK - $23,085; HELPCARE CLINIC - $20,552; KEARNEY/BUFFALO COUNTY CASA - $7,430; MID-NE C.S.F.P. - $3,635; MINDEN SENIOR CENTER - $2,848; S.A.F.E. CENTER - $11,213; SALVATION ARMY - $4,000; IMMUNIZATION CLINIC - $3,651.
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
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1971.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.