United Community Ministries Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO BUILD THRIVING COMMUNITIES AND CREATE EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES BY PROVIDING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND ADVANCING COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS.
- Income
- $7.1 million
- Spending
- $7.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 3.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 44%
- Employees
- 87
- Volunteers
- 72
- Highest pay
- $159,008, coo
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
Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 27% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 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
0 of 10Did not give 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 (9)
- $2.8 million spent. SOCIAL SERVICES: THE EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM MANAGES A FOOD PANTRY WHICH PROVIDES A WIDE VARIETY OF FOOD ASSISTANCE ON A REGULAR BASIS. FAMILIES LIVING WITHIN OUR SERVICE AREA COME UP TO THE PANTRY TO RECEIVE CANNED GOODS, FRESH PRODUCE, EGGS, MEAT, AND MORE WEEKLY. IN ADDITION, WE WORK WITH A NETWORK OF VOLUNTEERS IN SEVEN NEIGHBORHOODS TO DELIVER FOOD DIRECTLY INTO COMMUNITIES ALONG THE ROUTE 1 CORRIDOR. THE FAMILY ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM (FAP) PROVIDES WRAP-AROUND SOCIAL SERVICES TO TANF-ELIGIBLE FAMILIES LIVING BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE. EACH FAMILY IS SUPPORTED BY A QUALIFIED SOCIAL WORKER AND MAY BE PROVIDED WITH SERVICES SUCH AS CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE, TRANSPORTATION, JOB SKILLS TRAINING, WORK EXPERIENCE, JOB READINESS TRAINING, AND OTHER EDUCATION AND WORK RELATED EXPENSES.
- $2.1 million spent. CHILD DEVELOPMENT: UCM'S HEALTHY FAMILIES FAIRFAX PROGRAM PROVIDES HOME-BASED PARENTING EDUCATION, HEALTH INFORMATION, COMMUNITY SUPPORT, AND SCHOOL READINESS FOR PARENTS FROM PREGNANCY UNTIL THE CHILD REACHES AGE THREE. FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALISTS WORK WITH FAMILIES TO PROMOTE POSITIVE PARENTING, IMPROVE CHILD HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, ENCOURAGE SCHOOL READINESS, AND PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. EARLY LEARNING CENTER (ELC) PROVIDES HIGH-QUALITY DAYCARE AND CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AGES SIX WEEKS TO 5 YEARS. ALL CHILDREN RECEIVE POSITIVE CLASSROOM EXPERIENCES THAT NATURALLY STIMULATE CHILDREN'S CURIOSITY AND DEVELOPMENT. CHILDREN 3 YEARS AND OLDER RECEIVE FREE MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND VISION SCREENINGS. FOUR AND FIVE-YEAR-OLDS WORK IN CURRICULUM-BASED CLASSROOMS FOCUSED ON KINDERGARTEN READINESS. PARENTS ARE SUPPORTED WITH PARENTING EDUCATION AND REFERRALS TO APPROPRIATE RESOURCES.
- $676,180 spent. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: SACRAMENTO NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER AND CREEKSIDE VILLAGE COMMUNITY CENTER SERVE AS HUBS FOR 15 LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS TO MEET, LEARN, AND GROW AS NEIGHBORS AND AS A LARGER COMMUNITY. THESE CENTERS ARE PLACES WHERE RESIDENTS CONNECT WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS, LEARN TO LEAD, AND MAKE CHANGES THAT STRENGTHEN THEIR COMMUNITY, WITH PROGRAMS THAT ARE DEVELOPED BY AND FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS. THE CREEKSIDE LOCATION WAS VACATED AND PROGRAM INITIATIVES ENDED EFFECTIVE AUGUST 31, 2024. THE SPARK PROGRAM (SUCCESS THROUGH PURPOSE, ACHIEVEMENT, RESPECT, AND KNOWLEDGE) IS A MULTIFACETED YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 1-12. SPARK PROVIDES A SAFE AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER ENVIRONMENT WHERE AT-RISK YOUTH CAN RECEIVE HOMEWORK HELP, LEARN NEW SKILLS, AND ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE LEADERSHIP AND INTERVENTION/PREVENTION OF NEGATIVE BEHAVIORS. WORKING WITH FAIRFAX COUNTY, UCM PROVIDES RESOURCES FOR LEARNING, MENTORSHIP, AND HEALTH SCREENINGS TO COMMUNITY RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES.UCM SPONSORS TWO COMMUNITY SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT WALT WHITMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND MOUNT VERNON WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. UCM WORKS WITH TEACHERS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH DIRECT ACCESS TO THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES THEY NEED TO SUCCEED IN AND OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM. UCM PROVIDES STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH ACCESS TO YOUTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT PROMOTE STRONGER FAMILIES AND HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES.
- $437,862 spent. COLLECTIVE IMPACT: UCM'S COLLECTIVE IMPACT INITIATIVE, COMMUN1TY+, STRIVES TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER IN A STRUCTURED WAY TO ACHIEVE SOCIAL CHANGE. WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE FAIRFAX COUNTY OPPORTUNITY NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAM, COMMUN1TY+ ALIGNS RESOURCES AND EFFORTS TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES BASED ON THE NEEDS EXPRESSED BY MOUNT VERNON RESIDENTS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE EQUITY AND REDUCE DISPARITIES IN HEALTH, SAFETY, ECONOMIC STRENGTH, CHILD AND YOUTH WELL-BEING, AND NEIGHBORHOOD LIVABILITY. RESIDENTS BECOME LEADERS BY BRINGING COMMUNITY VOICE TO THE FOREFRONT OF POLICY AND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT IMPACTING MOUNT VERNON NEIGHBORHOOD ALONG THE ROUTE 1 CORRIDOR.
- THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM OPERATES A COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY THAT PROVIDES FAMILIES IN THE SERVICE AREA WITH A WIDE RANGE OF ESSENTIAL GROCERIES ON A WEEKLY BASIS. VISITORS TO THE PANTRY CAN ACCESS CANNED GOODS, FRESH PRODUCE, EGGS, MEAT, AND OTHER STAPLES TO HELP MEET THEIR NUTRITIONAL NEEDS. BEYOND THE PANTRY, THE ORGANIZATION PARTNERS WITH A DEDICATED NETWORK OF VOLUNTEERS ACROSS SEVEN NEIGHBORHOODS TO DELIVER FOOD DIRECTLY INTO COMMUNITIES ALONG THE ROUTE 1 CORRIDOR, ENSURING THAT FAMILIES FACING TRANSPORTATION OR MOBILITY CHALLENGES STILL RECEIVE CONSISTENT SUPPORT
- THE FAMILY ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM (FAP) OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE WRAP-AROUND SOCIAL SERVICES TO FAMILIES ELIGIBLE FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) WHO ARE LIVING BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE. EACH PARTICIPATING FAMILY IS PAIRED WITH A QUALIFIED SOCIAL WORKER WHO PROVIDES PERSONALIZED SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE. SERVICES MAY INCLUDE CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE, TRANSPORTATION, JOB SKILLS TRAINING, WORK EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES, JOB READINESS PROGRAMS, AND COVERAGE FOR EDUCATION AND WORK-RELATED EXPENSES. THIS HOLISTIC APPROACH IS DESIGNED TO HELP FAMILIES OVERCOME BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT AND ACHIEVE LONG-TERM ECONOMIC STABILITY.
- THE ORGANIZATION SPONSORS TWO COMMUNITY SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT WALT WHITMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND MOUNT VERNON WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, CREATING STRONG PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES. THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS, THE ORGANIZATION COLLABORATES WITH TEACHERS TO ENSURE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES THAT SUPPORT SUCCESS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM. IN ADDITION TO THESE SERVICES, THE ORGANIZATION CONNECTS FAMILIES TO YOUTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND OFFERS ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT FOSTER STRONGER FAMILY BONDS AND HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES OVERALL.
- THE PROGRESO LITERACY AND CITIZENSHIP CENTER EMPOWERS IMMIGRANTS BY PROVIDING EDUCATION, CITIZENSHIP PREPARATION, AND IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE SERVICES. ITS MISSION IS TO HELP COMMUNITY MEMBERS GAIN THE SKILLS AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO SUCCEED. THE CENTER OFFERS SEMESTER-LONG ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) CLASSES FOR ADULT LEARNERS AT ALL PROFICIENCY LEVELS AND IS COMMITTED TO PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE U.S. CITIZENSHIP EXAM AND ORAL INTERVIEW. ADDITIONALLY, PROGRESO HAS AN IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT ON STAFF WHO ASSISTS CLIENTS WITH A RANGE OF IMMIGRATION-RELATED LEGAL MATTERS, INCLUDING ASYLUM APPLICATIONS, GREEN CARDS, TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS, FAMILY PETITIONS, AND CITIZENSHIP APPLICATIONS. THROUGH THESE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES, PROGRESO OPENS DOORS FOR IMMIGRANTS TO ACHIEVE STABILITY AND INTEGRATION WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
- $362,553 spent. LITERACY AND CITIZENSHIP: PROGRESO LITERACY AND CITIZENSHIP CENTER EMPOWERS IMMIGRANTS THROUGH EDUCATION, CITIZENSHIP SERVICES, AND IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE SERVICES. AT PROGRESO, UCM OPENS DOORS FOR FELLOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS BY HELPING THEM ACQUIRE THE SKILLS AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO SUCCEED. UCM PROVIDES SEMESTER-LONG ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) CLASSES FOR ADULT LEARNERS OF ALL LANGUAGE LEVELS. PROGRESO IS ALSO DEDICATED TO HELPING THOSE ON THE PATH TO OBTAINING US CITIZENSHIP, OFFERING CITIZENSHIP CLASSES THAT ARE DESIGNED TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR THE US CITIZENSHIP EXAM AND ORAL INTERVIEW. UCM HAS AN IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT ON STAFF TO HELP CLIENTS WITH IMMIGRATION-RELATED LEGAL ISSUES INCLUDING ASYLUM, GREEN CARDS, TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE STATUS, FAMILY PETITIONS, AND CITIZENSHIP APPLICATIONS.
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 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 June 2025.
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 June 1970.
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.
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