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United Way of Northwest Arkansas Inc

EIN 71-0305700 · Fayetteville, AR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak27 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UNITED WAY OF NWA IS A FORWARD THINKING ORGANIZATION WORKING TO IMPROVE THE CAPACITY OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES BY MOBILIZING THE CARING POWER OF OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH OUR PARTNERS.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Employees
29
Volunteers
607
Highest pay
$81,963, interim ceo

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

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 53% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 53% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 36 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 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 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 (3)
  1. $696,064 spent. 211 A FREE REFERRAL SERVICE ACCESSED THROUGH TELEPHONE, CHAT, AND WEBSITE SEARCH. SERVES INDIVIDUALS IN NEED TO IMPORTANT COMMUNITY SERVICES IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS. 211 SERVES AS A DIRECT LINK BETWEEN CONNECTING PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP TO RESOURCES THAT CAN GIVE THEM HELP. AREAS OF SUPPORT MOST ARE HEALTHCARE, UTILITIES, HOUSING, AND EMPLOYMENT. THE 211 CALL CENTER SERVES BENTON, CARROLL, MADISON, AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES AND IS AVAILABLE 24/7/365.
  2. $142,863 spent. DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY OFFERS FREE MONTHLY BOOKS TO CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE FIVE. FAMILIES CAN SUPPORT READING AT HOME AND PREPARE THEIR CHILDREN FOR SCHOOL WITH THEIR OWN LIBRARY OF BOOKS.
  3. $82,393 spent. OTHER PROGRAM EXPENSES

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 November 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 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.