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United Way of Cleveland County Inc

EIN 56-6030073 · Shelby, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The United Way of Cleveland County helps people by uniting resources and programs to responsibly meet the needs of our community.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
4
Volunteers
63
Highest pay
$94,191, executive dir.

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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 50% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

    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

    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. $869,027 spent. The Children's Homes of Cleveland CountyThe Program provides services for Cleveland County children and families. School aged children ages 5-21 can live in a safe stable environment in one of the two residential facilities; Aarons House and James Home. The ultimate goal is to serve children and families in crisis so they can leave the group home and go to a safe, stable permanent family. The primary clients are children between 5 & 18 who have victims of abuse and/or neglect.Cleveland County Abuse Prevention CouncilServices for victims of Sexual Assault provides confidential services to adults and teens that have been affected by unfortunate situations. This includes crisis response, a 24-hour emergency hotline, safe shelter, counseling and court advocacy. Shelter Services provide emergency shelter for women and their children in need of temporary assistance. During the stay services are centered on helping clients to obtain independent living.The Boys and Girls ClubThe program provides one on one support after school with homework, character building and tutoring. Many of the kids attending the program do not have support at home and therefore the programming provided by the staff and volunteers at the club is very important in participants doing well in the classroom. Primary clients are students from all grade levels.
  2. $316,498 spent. Hospice Cleveland County exists to provide high quality skilled compassionate care and support for individuals with a life-limiting illness, their families, and the community, regardless of their ability to pay. The program provides not only skilled nursing services but also spiritual counseling, bereavement services, social work services and more.
  3. $18,316 spent. Boys and girls club of cleveland county; This program offers individualized assistance after school, including homework help, character development, and tutoring. A significant number of children benefiting from the program lack support at home, emphasizing the vital role played by the dedicated staff and volunteers in fostering academic success among participants. Primary clients are students across various grade levels.

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 November 6, 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 December 1971.

    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 November 4, 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.