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United Way of the Cape Fear Area Inc

EIN 56-0529949 · Wilmington, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

For every $1 an individual donated last year, $4.78 was invested into local programs and initiatives. The United Way of the Cape Fear Area (UWCFA) mission is to work with our community to leverage resources to improve the lives of local people. The last two years UWCFA leveraged more resources and invested them into the community than any other time in the history of the organization.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$2.9 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
83
Volunteers
228
Highest pay
$98,296, ceo

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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

    19 of 19 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 (3)
  1. $653,583 spent. Senior Community Service Employment program (SCSEP) has been affiliated with the United Way of the Cape Fear Area for more than 30 years. This Federally funded program trains and prepares low-income senior workers (55 and older) for entry or re-entry into the workforce.
  2. $5,254 spent. The Marketing and Communications program supports key functions within UWCFA's structure including: community impact; resource development; SCSEP; and other critical initiatives identified by the community. UWCFA Marketing works to build awareness and visibility of the brand as a way to continually educate and inform the general public about what UWCFA and it's member agencies do and how this system of services are intertwined in the community. UWCFA uses visual and written communications and a variety of different advertising vehicles including: print, digital and social media avenues.
  3. $1.7 million spent. UWCFA, a local independent, autonomous 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is affiliated with United Way Worldwide. To maintain this membership, UWCFA adheres to numerous performance standards designed to ensure good volunteer governance, financial accountability and overall transparency. These standards are integrated with UWCFA's business model to assure the use of efficient administrative practices that maximize community impact. Community impact is the means by which donors can invest their charitable gifts in addressing the community's most critical issues and challenges and actually see measurable results of 71 local programs and initiatives that are changing lives. UWCFA provided your community with $2,386,641 in grants and allocations between July 1st 2024 and June 30th 2025. Each year, over 600 volunteer hours are invested in making sure each 3-year investment provides the best social return on the donation for the contributions.

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 May 1955.

    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.