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United Way of Gaston County Inc

EIN 56-0653356 · Gastonia, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO BE A COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS LEADER THAT MOBILIZES THE CARING POWER OF THE COMMUNITY, TO MEASURABLY ADDRESS NEEDS AND IMPROVE LIVES BY MAKING EVERY CONTRIBUTION COUNT.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
11.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
5
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$98,208, president/ce

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

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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 49% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (5)
  1. $184,000 spent. EDUCATION AGENCIES: OUTCOMES: (1) YOUNG CHILDREN SUCCEED IN SCHOOL. (2) MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MOVE THROUGH GRADE PROGRESSION TO GRADUATION. (3) STUDENTS OF ALL AGES CONTINUE TO LEARN AND ACQUIRE MARKETABLE JOB/CAREER SKILLS.
  2. $108,000 spent. FINANCIAL STABILITY (CRISIS ASSISTANCE) AGENCIES: OUTCOMES: (1) MEET SHORT TERM CRISIS NEEDS FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY (2) INCREASE SELF-SUFFICIENCY/DECREASE POVERTY IN THOSE WHO ARE IN FINANCIAL CRISIS FINANCIAL STABILITY (LONG-TERM FINANCIAL STABILITY) AGENCIES: OUTCOMES: (1) INCREASE FINANCIAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY (2) PROFICIENCY IN MONEY MANAGEMENT (3) PROLONG PERIODS OF EMPLOYMENT
  3. $74,000 spent. HEALTH AGENCIES: OUTCOMES: (1) CLIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE AWARE OF HEALTH CHOICES AVAILABLE IN COMMUNITY. (2) FAMILIES LIVING WITH ILLNESS RECEIVE SERVICES AND PRODUCTS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE. (3) INCREASE USE OF LOWER LEVELS OF HEALTHCARE AND DECREASE EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS/HOSPITAL STAYS
  4. $592,440 spent. BASIC NEEDDS: PEOPLE ARE STABILIZED WITH EMERGENCY FOOD, SAFE SHELTER, AND OTHER CRITICAL SERVICES.
  5. BASIC NEEDDS: PEOPLE ARE STABILIZED WITH EMERGENCY FOOD, SAFE SHELTER, AND OTHER CRITICAL SERVICES.

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 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 June 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 July 1954.

    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.