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United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore Inc

EIN 52-6016589 · Salisbury, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CONNECTING COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN DORCHESTER, SOMERSET, WICOMICO AND WORCESTER COUNTIES WITH DIRECT AND PARTNER RESOURCES TO STRENGTHEN HEALTH, EDUCATION AND FINANCIAL SECURITY SO ALL NEIGHBORS CAN THRIVE.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
4.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
13
Volunteers
2,186
Highest pay
$110,199, president/ceo (nonvoting)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 37% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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

    14 of 14 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 August 31, 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. $565,720 spent. COMMUNITY INVESTMENT: UNITED WAY OF THE LOWER EASTERN SHORE INVESTS CONTRIBUTIONS IN THREE IMPACT AREAS. 1) HELPING CHILDREN AND ADULTS SUCCEED IN LEARNING TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL; 2) PROVIDING EMERGENCY AND CRISIS HELP AND SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC SECURITY AND STABILITY; 3) IMPROVING ACCESS TO AND AWARENESS OF LOCAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES TO EMPOWER AND SUPPORT ALL NEIGHBORS IN ACHIEVING BETTER HEALTH AND WELLNESS.COMPREHENSIVE STEWARDSHIP OF DONORS' DOLLARS IS PROVIDED TO ENSURE ALL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE DIRECTED TO LOCAL PROGRAMS SERVING THESE AREAS OF GREAT NEED IN THE COMMUNITY. EACH YEAR COMMITTEE MEMBERS INVEST THEIR TIME AND ENERGY TO VISIT WITH APPLICANTS AND LEARN ABOUT THEIR WORK AND PROGRAMS AND REVIEW EACH APPLICATION INCLUDING BUDGETS, OUTCOMES AND EFFICIENCIES IN MEETING LOCAL NEEDS. FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS ARE ALLOCATED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BASED ON ANNUAL FUNDRAISING AND BUDGET, AND ARE DISTRIBUTED MONTHLY TO APPROVED NONPROFIT PARTNERS. THE PROCESS ASSURES UNITED WAY DONORS THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE BEING INVESTED AS EQUITABLY AND EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE IN LOCAL NONPROFITS AND DIRECT PROGRAMS WHICH ARE ADDRESSING CRITICAL COMMUNITY NEEDS AND EMPOWERING LOCAL NEIGHBORS. IN THE 2024-25 YEAR, UNITED WAY OF THE LOWER EASTERN SHORE AND 37 NONPROFIT PARTNERS RECEIVED FUNDING SUPPORT FOR 57 PROGRAMS SERVING LOWER EASTERN SHORE RESIDENTS.
  2. $736,627 spent. UNITED WAY OF THE LOWER EASTERN SHORE ALSO PROVIDES DIRECT PROGRAMS AND IS ACTIVE IN NUMEROUS COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS, INCLUDING FOR 2024-25:THE IMAGINATION LIBRARY LITERACY PROGRAM FOR BIRTH-FIVE, INCLUDING THE SMARTSTART COLLABORATION WITH THE LOCAL HEALTH SYSTEM TO ENCOURAGE NEWBORN ENROLLMENTS, COLLEGIATE STUDENT UNITED WAY CLUB, WELLNESS MADE EASY HEALTH LITERACY PROGRAM, READ TO SUCCEED AND READ WITH ME READING PROGRAMS FOR PRE-K THROUGH 3RD GRADE STUDENTS, RIDE UNITED TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM, WOMEN UNITED AND EMERGING LEADERS AFFINITY/VOLUNTEER GROUPS, HOLIDAY OUTREACH PROGRAMS, ADDICTION AWARENESS YOUTH ART COMPETITION, MARYLAND ALICE REPORT, DATA TOOLS AND FACILITATED SIMULATIONS, NONPROFIT TRAINING AND SUPPORT AND INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES.UNITED WAY OF THE LOWER EASTERN SHORE ALSO OPERATES THE GET CONNECTED VOLUNTEER CENTER, AS THE DESIGNATED VOLUNTEER CENTER FOR THE LOWER SHORE OF MARYLAND, TO CONNECT ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER WITH ABOUT 200 LOCAL NONPROFITS ACROSS THE REGION, PROVIDING FREE ACCESS TO EVERYONE TO MANAGE AND TRACK VOLUNTEER IMPACT. UNITED WAY OF THE LOWER EASTERN SHORE IS INVOLVED IN SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGES IN NUMEROUS COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS TO ELEVATE AWARENESS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP NEIGHBORS IN NEED. UNITED WAY OF THE LOWER EASTERN SHORE IS INVOLVED IN SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGES IN NUMEROUS COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS, COLLABORATIONS AND ADVOCACY GROUPS TO ELEVATE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND SUPPORT THE NONPROFIT SECTOR. EXAMPLES INCLUDE THE ANNUAL LOWER SHORE NONPROFIT SUMMIT TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR NONPROFIT LEADERS AND STAFF, AND BOARD LEADERSHIP AND FACILITATION FOR THE EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER PROGRAM TO ENSURE FEDERAL FUNDS ARE DISTRIBUTED TIMELY AND EQUITABLY TO LOWER SHORE NONPROFITS SERVING NEIGHBORS FACING FOOD AND HOUSING INSECURITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1974.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.