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United Way of the Mid-South

EIN 56-1010742 · Memphis, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of United Way is to improve the quality of life for Mid- Southerners by mobilizing and aligning community resources to address priority issues.

Income
$17.2 million
Spending
$17.6 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 59%
Employees
91
Volunteers
350
Highest pay
$240,998, president & ceo (former)

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: 64 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 44% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    28 of 29 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. $6.4 million spent. The organization provides funding to over 500 non-profit agencies throughout the United States through donor designated funds. In addition United Way provides grant funding to 73 agencies within the 8 county service area. Grants are targeted to programs that improve education, financial stability, equity, and health and work collaboratively to reduce mid-south poverty.
  2. $490,437 spent. United Way of the Mid-South coordinates the work of multiple agencies to implement the Free Tax Prep / Volunteer Income Tax Assistance in Crittenden County, AR; DeSoto, Tunica, and Tate Counties in MS; and Fayette, Lauderdale, Tipton, and Shelby Counties in TN. This program provides free tax preparation to maximize the total amount of eligible tax credits for low and moderate-income tax filers. The Free Tax Prep / VITA program was supported by funding from the Internal Revenue Service, Wells Fargo, Entergy, Cummins, Regions, and United Way of the Mid-South investments. Funds were used to support the operation of VITA sites, mobile tax preparation, marketing, and volunteer recognition. In the fiscal year ending 6/30/2025, over 9,400 returns were filed serving more than 13,000 individuals. Clients saved over $2.5 million in estimated refund costs and received over $11 million in refunds.
  3. $8.6 million spent. United Way of the Mid-South (UWMS) has broadened its community impact agenda to include a focus on strategically funding initiatives that promote economic mobility, and financial self-sufficiency for families and individuals in the Mid-South service region, encompassing eight counties in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. UWMS now hosts, leads, manages, and is accountable for Driving The Dream(DTD), an unduplicated system of multi-domain human services and support that allows families living in poverty to grow their financial and social mobility. Driving the Dream creates a network of support by connecting human service agencies through a shared platform, enabling equitable access to services for the most vulnerable individuals and families. DTD provides a system that works for families.

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 June 1974.

    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.