Black River United Way
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FOR MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY, BLACK RIVER UNITED WAY HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER PEOPLE AND RESOURCES TO TACKLE COMPLEX ISSUES AND DRIVE SUSTAINABLE, POSITIVE CHANGE. FROM STRENGTHENING LOCAL RESILIENCE, TO ADVANCING YOUTH OPPORTUNITY, WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO CO-CREATE SOLUTIONS TO THESE PRESSING CHALLENGES, TAKING A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH, AND LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO LOCAL NEEDS. BLACK RIVER UNITED WAY IS LEADING GEORGETOWN AND WILLIAMSBURG COUNTIES TO SUSTAINABILITY BY EMPOWERING THE LIVES OF ITS COMMUNITY MEMBERS. WE EMPOWER OUR COMMUNITIES BY WORKING COLLABORATIVELY TO IMPROVE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUCCESS AND ENSURING OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE PREPARED FOR DISASTERS. COMMUNITY FOCUSED WE ARE COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH AND FOR THE CITIZENS OF GEORGETOWN AND WILLIAMSBURG COUNTIES. COMMITMENT TO ACCESS WE WILL PROVIDE EQUITABLE ACCESS AND AWARENESS FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO THE PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT BRUWS PURPOSE BY REMOVING BARRIERS AND LEVERAGING RESOURCES. COLLABORATIVE WE EN
- Income
- $313,221
- Spending
- $436,996
- Spent on programs
- 53%
- Reserves
- 5.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 67%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 165
- Highest pay
- $76,459, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 40% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 31% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1553% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 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 December 31, 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)
- $113,322 spent. THE WACCAMAW REGION FOR CHILDHOOD SUCCESS IS OUR TRI-COUNTY RESPONSE TO EARLY CHILDHOOD NEEDS IN GEORGETOWN, HORRY, AND WILLIAMSBURG COUNTIES. BLACK RIVER UNITED WAY FOCUSES ON GEORGETOWN AND WILLIAMSBURG COUNTIES (UNITED WAY OF HORRY COUNTY FOCUSES ON HORRY COUNTY). THIS INITIATIVE FOCUSES ON KINDERGARTEN READINESS AND EARLY GRADE READING, BIRTH 3RD GRADE, AND PROMOTES WORKING COLLABORATIVELY BETWEEN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES THAT ARE COMMITTED TO THE SUCCESS OF EVERY CHILD. THROUGH OUR WACCAMAW REGION FOR CHILDHOOD SUCCESS INITIATIVE WE WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CHILD DEVELOPMENT FACILITIES, AND EARLY EDUCATION PARTNERS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS STRUGGLING IN READING, PREPARE RISING LEARNERS FOR KINDERGARTEN, AND EMPOWER FAMILIES, CAREGIVERS, AND TEACHERS TO HELP CHILDREN READ, LEARN, AND THRIVE. WACCAMAW REGION FOR CHILDHOOD SUCCESS IMPLEMENTING THE FIVE BASICS PRINCIPLES IN LOCAL CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS THE BASICS WACCAMAW CONTINUES TO GROW ACROSS OUR REGION, BRINGING EARLY LEARNING PRINCIPLES TO LIFE THROUGH CREATIVE, HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. GROUNDED IN EARLY CHILDHOOD BRAIN SCIENCE, THE BASICS EMPOWERS FAMILIES, CAREGIVERS, AND EDUCATORS TO MAKE EVERYDAY INTERACTIONS POWERFUL MOMENTS FOR LEARNING. THE FIVE BASICS PRINCIPLES 1.MAXIMIZE LOVE, MINIMIZE STRESS 2.TALK, SING, & POINT 3.COUNT, GROUP, & COMPARE 4.EXPLORE THROUGH MOVEMENT & PLAY 5.READ & DISCUSS STORIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BLACK RIVER UNITED WAY, UNITED WAY OF HORRY COUNTY, AND THE WACCAMAW REGION FOR CHILDHOOD SUCCESS, LOCAL CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS ARE INCORPORATING THESE PRINCIPLES INTO DAILY ROUTINESHELPING CHILDREN BUILD LANGUAGE, MOTOR, SOCIAL, AND COGNITIVE SKILLS FROM THE START. WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE COLLABORATED WITH THE FOLLOWING CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS IN 2025 TO IMPLEMENT THE BASICS: 1. LITTLE LAMB CHILD CARE 2. LITTLE SMURFS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER 3. PAWLEYS ISLAND CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER 4. SAMPIT COMMUNITY CHILD CARE CENTER 5. THE BIBLEWAY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER 6. THE SUNSHINE PLACE ALL SIX CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS ENTHUSIASTICALLY PARTICIPATED IN MONTHLY MADNESS, AN ENGAGING AND INTERACTIVE INITIATIVE CREATED SPECIFICALLY FOR 3 AND 4-YEAR-OLDS. THIS THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED ACTIVITY PACKET OFFERED A WIDE RANGE OF FUN, HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES THAT ENCOURAGED CHILDREN TO EXPLORE, IMAGINE, AND LEARN THROUGH PLAY. EACH ACTIVITY WAS CAREFULLY ALIGNED WITH EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT GOALS, FOCUSING ON BUILDING FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS IN LANGUAGE, MOTOR DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL INTERACTION, AND COGNITIVE GROWTH. THE GOAL OF MONTHLY MADNESS WAS NOT ONLY TO PROVIDE VARIETY IN THE CLASSROOM, BUT ALSO TO PROMOTE MEANINGFUL BRAIN DEVELOPMENT DURING THESE CRITICAL EARLY YEARS. TEACHERS AND CAREGIVERS REPORTED THAT THE CHILDREN LOOKED FORWARD TO EACH NEW ACTIVITY, AND THE PROGRAM ADDED AN EXCITING LAYER TO THEIR DAILY ROUTINES. BY FOSTERING CREATIVITY AND CURIOSITY IN SUCH AN INTENTIONAL WAY, MONTHLY MADNESS PROVED TO BE A VALUABLE RESOURCE FOR BOTH EDUCATORS AND YOUNG LEARNERS ACROSS ALL PARTICIPATING CENTERS. THRIVING FAMILIES WITH TRIPLE P TRIPLE P (POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM) CONTINUES TO EQUIP PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS WITH THE TOOLS, STRATEGIES, AND CONFIDENCE TO NAVIGATE THE EVERYDAY UPS AND DOWNS OF RAISING CHILDRENESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO BEHAVIOR AND EMOTIONS. OFFERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHILDRENS TRUST OF SOUTH CAROLINA, TRIPLE P IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM THAT HELPS STRENGTHEN PARENTCHILD RELATIONSHIPS, BUILD RESILIENCE, AND ENCOURAGE POSITIVE BEHAVIOR THROUGH PRACTICAL, PROVEN STRATEGIES. IN 2025, BRUW WAS PROUD TO BRING TRIPLE P TO FAMILIES ACROSS GEORGETOWN AND WILLIAMSBURG COUNTIESHOSTING SESSIONS IN COLLABORATION WITH A FATHERS PLACE, LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. THESE PARTNERSHIPS ENSURE PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS CAN ACCESS SUPPORT WHERE FAMILIES ALREADY LEARN AND GROW TOGETHER. WHETHER YOUR CHILD IS FACING A CHALLENGING PHASE OR YOU SIMPLY WANT TO BUILD STRONGER CONNECTIONS AT HOME, TRIPLE P OFFERS GUIDANCE THAT HELPS FAMILIES THRIVE. 2025 YTD TRIPLE P PARTICIPANT DATA: 128 UNDUPLICATED ENROLLED FAMILIES 14 DUPLICATED ENROLLED FAMILIES 15 SEMINARS COMPLETED 212 CHILDREN IN FAMILIES 147 FAMILY PARTICIPANTS 5 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 3 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS BUILDING A CULTURE OF EARLY LITERACY: 1,000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN WE ARE EXCITED TO SUPPORT A NATIONWIDE INITIATIVE THATS SIMPLE, FUN, AND IMPACTFUL1,000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP PREPARE YOUNG CHILDREN FOR A LIFETIME OF LEARNING. THE CONCEPT IS EASY: FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ 1,000 BOOKS WITH THEIR CHILDREN BEFORE THEY ENTER KINDERGARTEN. READING ALOUD FROM BIRTH PLAYS A CRUCIAL ROLE IN STRENGTHENING LANGUAGE SKILLS, BUILDING VOCABULARY, AND LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR READING SUCCESS AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GEORGETOWN COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM, GENEROUS COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, AND DONORS, WE ARE WORKING TO SPREAD THE JOY OF READING AND MAKE EARLY LITERACY A SHARED COMMUNITY PRIORITY. OUR GOAL IS CLEAR: TO BUILD A STRONG CULTURE OF READING AND EARLY LITERACY THROUGHOUT GEORGETOWN COUNTY AND BEYOND, EMPOWERING EVERY CHILD TO START SCHOOL READY TO LEARN, GROW, AND THRIVE. BRIDGING THE GAP TO KINDERGARTEN: KINDERWAVES KINDERGARTEN READINESS CAMP BLACK RIVER UNITED WAY IS COMMITTED TO HELPING YOUNG CHILDREN START SCHOOL WITH CONFIDENCE AND SUCCESS. RECOGNIZING THE VITAL ROLE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, WEVE LAUNCHED INITIATIVES THAT SUPPORT FAMILIES AS THEIR CHILDREN PREPARE FOR KINDERGARTEN. OUR KINDERWAVES KINDERGARTEN READINESS CAMP, HELD JUNE 912, GAVE RISING KINDERGARTNERS FROM MARYVILLE, KENSINGTON, ANDREWS, AND WACCAMAW ELEMENTARY A FUN AND ENGAGING START TO THEIR SCHOOL JOURNEY. THE 4-DAY CAMP HELPED CHILDREN ADJUST TO CLASSROOM ROUTINES, BUILD SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS, AND EXPLORE HANDS-ON LEARNING. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED CRAFTS, GAMES, AND A SPECIAL VISIT FROM MOLLY MCNEILL WITH SCDNR, WHO SHARED PHOTOS OF SEA ANIMALS, R
- $102,691 spent. EVERY COMMUNITY DESERVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROSPER. AT BLACK RIVER UNITED WAY WE WORK WITH OUR NEIGHBORS TO BUILD RESILIENT COMMUNITIES THAT ARE READY FOR ANY CHALLENGE. THROUGH DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RECOVERY AND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, WE ARE STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNITIES FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE AND SECURE FUTURE. BE READY DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & RECOVERY THROUGH BE READY BLACK RIVER UNITED WAY EMPOWERS OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO PREPARE FOR, RECOVER FROM, AND RESPOND TO DISASTER. OUR PROACTIVE APPROACH ENSURES THAT ALL OUR RESIDENTS ARE RESILIENT AND READY FOR ANY KIND OF NATURAL OR MAN-MADE DISASTER. THROUGH OUR BE READY KIDS EDITION, BRUW PROVIDED IN-SCHOOL DISASTER TRAINING TO 1,114 STUDENTS AND EACH STUDENT RECEIVED A DISASTER KIT. WINYAH BAY COAD: COLLABORATION IN ACTION AS THE LEAD AGENCY FOR THE WINYAH BAY COAD (COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN DISASTER), WE WORK ALONGSIDE A DEDICATED STEERING COMMITTEE OF EIGHT PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS TO STRENGTHEN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY ACROSS GEORGETOWN AND WILLIAMSBURG COUNTIES. OUR WORK DOESNT START WHEN A STORM HITS IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY, IN THE BLUE SKIES BUILDING STRONG SYSTEMS AND TRUSTED RELATIONSHIPS SO OUR COMMUNITY IS READY WHEN THE GREY SKIES COME. IN 2025, WE EXPANDED OUR IMPACT BY PARTNERING WITH THREE FOOD TRUCKS TO DELIVER MEALS TO AFFECTED COMMUNITIES AND JOINED FORCES WITH TWO MINISTERIAL ALLIANCES TO PROVIDE CRITICAL EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT DURING RECOVERY. LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026, WERE DEEPENING THESE COLLABORATIONS AND REFINING OUR DISASTER RESPONSE STRATEGIES ALL TO ENSURE THAT EVERY NEIGHBOR RECEIVES THE CARE, SUPPORT, AND DIGNITY THEY DESERVE AFTER DISASTER STRIKES. REACHING ACROSS SOUTH CAROLINA: STRENGTHENING RECOVERY EFFORTS STATEWIDE AFTER THE UNEXPECTED IMPACT OF HURRICANE HELENE, MANY COMMUNITIES IN SOUTH CAROLINAS MIDLANDS AND UPSTATE REGIONS WERE LEFT REELING. HURRICANES WERE NEVER EXPECTED TO REACH SO FAR INLAND, LEAVING THESE AREAS UNPREPARED FOR THE DEVASTATION. THE WINYAH BAY COAD HAS BEEN ACTIVELY SUPPORTING THESE COMMUNITIES BY TRAINING LONG-TERM RECOVERY GROUPS IN THE ESSENTIAL PROCESSES OF DISASTER RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE BUILDING. EVERY COMMUNITY DESERVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROSPER. AT BLACK RIVER UNITED WAY WE WORK WITH OUR NEIGHBORS TO BUILD RESILIENT COMMUNITIES THAT ARE READY FOR ANY CHALLENGE. THROUGH DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RECOVERY AND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, WE ARE STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNITIES FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE AND SECURE FUTURE. BE READY DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & RECOVERY THROUGH BE READY BLACK RIVER UNITED WAY EMPOWERS OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO PREPARE FOR, RECOVER FROM, AND RESPOND TO DISASTER. OUR PROACTIVE APPROACH ENSURES THAT ALL OUR RESIDENTS ARE RESILIENT AND READY FOR ANY KIND OF NATURAL OR MAN-MADE DISASTER. THROUGH OUR BE READY KIDS EDITION, BRUW PROVIDED IN-SCHOOL DISASTER TRAINING TO 1,114 STUDENTS AND EACH STUDENT RECEIVED A DISASTER KIT. WINYAH BAY COAD: COLLABORATION IN ACTION AS THE LEAD AGENCY FOR THE WINYAH BAY COAD (COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN DISASTER), WE WORK ALONGSIDE A DEDICATED STEERING COMMITTEE OF EIGHT PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS TO STRENGTHEN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY ACROSS GEORGETOWN AND WILLIAMSBURG COUNTIES. OUR WORK DOESNT START WHEN A STORM HITS IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY, IN THE BLUE SKIES BUILDING STRONG SYSTEMS AND TRUSTED RELATIONSHIPS SO OUR COMMUNITY IS READY WHEN THE GREY SKIES COME. IN 2025, WE EXPANDED OUR IMPACT BY PARTNERING WITH THREE FOOD TRUCKS TO DELIVER MEALS TO AFFECTED COMMUNITIES AND JOINED FORCES WITH TWO MINISTERIAL ALLIANCES TO PROVIDE CRITICAL EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT DURING RECOVERY. LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026, WERE DEEPENING THESE COLLABORATIONS AND REFINING OUR DISASTER RESPONSE STRATEGIES ALL TO ENSURE THAT EVERY NEIGHBOR RECEIVES THE CARE, SUPPORT, AND DIGNITY THEY DESERVE AFTER DISASTER STRIKES. REACHING ACROSS SOUTH CAROLINA: STRENGTHENING RECOVERY EFFORTS STATEWIDE AFTER THE UNEXPECTED IMPACT OF HURRICANE HELENE, MANY COMMUNITIES IN SOUTH CAROLINAS MIDLANDS AND UPSTATE REGIONS WERE LEFT REELING. HURRICANES WERE NEVER EXPECTED TO REACH SO FAR INLAND, LEAVING THESE AREAS UNPREPARED FOR THE DEVASTATION. THE WINYAH BAY COAD HAS BEEN ACTIVELY SUPPORTING THESE COMMUNITIES BY TRAINING LONG-TERM RECOVERY GROUPS IN THE ESSENTIAL PROCESSES OF DISASTER RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE BUILDING.
- $13,475 spent. COMMUNITY SUPPORT BLACK RIVER UNITED WAY PROVIDES OVERALL SUPPORT TO OUR COMMUNITIES THROUGH ONE PROGRAM: SC211 (HUMAN SERVICE HOTLINE) BLACK RIVER UNITED WAY IS THERE WHEN OUR COMMUNITIES NEED US. ONE WAY THAT HAPPENS IN 99% OF THE U.S. AND ACROSS CANADA IS THROUGH 211. THIS CONFIDENTIAL 24/7 CALL CENTER CONNECTS PEOPLE WITH LOCALLY AVAILABLE HELP. 211 IN GEORGETOWN AND WILLIAMSBURG COUNTIES RECEIVED: - 1,129 CALLS AND MADE - 2531 SERVICE REFERRALS
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1978.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.