United Way of Lee County Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades is a volunteer driven organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all people in our community. Continued on Schedule OOur United Way supports and helps coordinate the human service network in our community so that the network can provide high quality social service programs that make a difference in people's lives.
- Income
- $27.0 million
- Spending
- $28.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 94%
- Reserves
- 2.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 81%
- Employees
- 100
- Volunteers
- 6,576
- Highest pay
- $268,636, president/chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 19% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 41% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1594% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2564 of 65 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
10 of 10Gave 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, 2024, 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 (4)
- $20.2 million spent. Community Impact Fund:The United Way Community Impact Fund supports over 260 programs throughout a large network of social service agencies. These critical community programs address vital areas such as strengthening families, building resiliency for our most vulnerable populations, supporting youth and empowering communities.The United Way of Lee County Gifts In Kind Program: The United Way Gifts In Kind Program provides nonprofit, health and human services organizations, in Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties with access to quality in-kind goods. GIK acts as a liaison between local and national donors, and participating agencies. Continued on Schedule OThe purpose of GIK is to assist agencies in leveraging their dollars while providing donors with an outlet for distributing surplus and increasing their contribution and support of the local community. United Way and its Gifts In Kind Program is leading the Hurricane Ian Donations Committee for the Unmet Needs Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG) in Lee County, ensuring all participants with LTRG have up to date information and access to the Program for their clients and organizations. United Way Resiliency Hubs: United Way Resiliency Hubs bring needed services into vulnerable communities through the mobilization of the United Way network and key community partners. These centralized locations provide space for agencies to provide their critical programs, providing over 450,000 services each year throughout the network of 18 locations.
- $4.1 million spent. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding was awarded through a collaboration with the Lee County Government to ensure that 59 Lee County nonprofit social service agencies maintained the organizational capacity to administer 62 projects to help mediate the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. United Way was also awarded to maintain the infrastructure requisite to educate potential Sub-Awardees on the application process and functionally administer federal support to all awarded Agencies. A portion of the award received by United Way led to strengthening internal processes and operations, resulting in dramatically enhanced social service programming in Lee County with the ultimate goal of mitigating long-term COVID-19 impacts. Continued on Schedule OMore than $14 million dollars was distributed since 2022 to Lee County nonprofit agencies for programming that was directly impacted by COVID-19 such as financial health, rehousing, domestic violence counseling, direct medical/dental attention, etc. Through the administration of ARPA awards, United Way was able to support area nonprofit organizations to reach disproportionately impacted populations and focus on improved community health and well-being.
- $2.1 million spent. United Way 211 is the connection for community members in need in Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties to ensure they can access information and services to remain independent and successful. Whether it be assistance with household financial needs, school uniforms for their children or access to legal services, a caller to 211 is provided resource options to assist. During times of disaster, 211 becomes the trusted disaster information line, providing needed information on resources such as shelters, evacuation routes and recovery services. Veterans and their families are assisted through the 211 Mission United Program linking them to information and services designated for Veterans and active military members. United Way 211 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by dialing 211 or 239-433-3900.
- $778,255 spent. Other program services for our members in need.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.
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 May 1964.
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.