United Way of Acadiana Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
UNITED WAY OF ACADIANA'S MISSION IS TO UNITE PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS WITH PASSION, EXPERTISE AND RESOURCES TO CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR A BETTER LIFE.
- Income
- $3.8 million
- Spending
- $4.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 8.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 59%
- Employees
- 58
- Volunteers
- 483
- Highest pay
- $132,517, president & 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
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 16% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 21 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, 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 (4)
- $2.0 million spent. THROUGH A FEDERAL GRANT AWARDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, DEPARTMENT OF HEAD START, THE UNITED WAY OF ACADIANA OPERATES AN EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM SERVING 103 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THE CENTER-BASED PROGRAM SERVES CHILDREN 6 WEEKS TO THREE YEARS OLD AND THE HOME-BASED PROGRAM SERVES PREGNANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN UP TO 3 YEARS OLD. THE PROGRAM OPERATES TWO (2) EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTERS; ONE IN ABBEVILLE SERVING VERMILION PARISH AND THE OTHER IN LAFAYETTE SERVING FAMILIES IN THE 70501, 70503, 70506 AND 70507 ZIP CODE AREAS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SERVICES TO ENSURE ALL CHILDREN ENTER SCHOOL READY TO LEARN. ADDITIONALLY, WE HELP EVERY FAMILY BY CONNECTING THEM TO RESOURCES TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES AND ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS FOR EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND HOUSING. THIS APPROACH PLAYS A TRANSFORMATIVE ROLE ACROSS GENERATIONS. EVERY CHILD COMPLETING A COMPLETE PROGRAM YEAR EXCEEDED THE SCHOOL READINESS GOALS BY 85% IN OVERALL GROWTH IN AREAS OF SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, LITERACY, MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT. CHILDREN ARE SELECTED INTO OUR PROGRAM THROUGH A RATING SYSTEM THAT GIVES PRIORITY TO CHILDREN WHO HAVE A DISABILITY, WHO ARE HOMELESS OR THOSE IN FOSTER CARE. IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19, UWA EHS DEVELOPED A PLAN OF ACTION THAT OUTLINED SPECIFIC STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT OVERALL SAFETY AND WELLNESS OF OUR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND STAFF. OUR TOP PRIORITIES WERE THE ONGOING EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT NEEDED AS PARENTS WERE ENGAGING WITH THEIR CHILDREN AT HOME, ALONG WITH THE COMMITMENT TO HELPING FAMILIES MEET THEIR BASIC NEED FOR FOOD DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES. DURING CENTER CLOSURES, UWA EHS PROVIDED ALL CHILDREN, CENTER-BASED AND HOME BASED WITH A WEEK'S WORTH OF FROZEN, PRE-PACKED HEALTHY MEALS TO INCLUDE BREAKFAST, SNACK, AND LUNCH. THE STAFF CREATED DAILY LESSON PLANS THAT WERE EASY, EFFECTIVE AND ENGAGING, ALLOWING LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT TO CONTINUE WITHIN THE HOME. THE TEAM PROVIDED SUPPLIES NEEDED TO COMPLETE ACTIVITIES IN THE LESSON PLAN AND BOOKS TO HELP BUILD HOME LIBRARIES. THE EHS LEADERSHIP TEAM IDENTIFIED RESOURCES TO EDUCATE OUR PARENTS ON THE PANDEMIC AND HELPED THEM UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF REMINAING SAFE AND HEALTHY.
- $1.1 million spent. UNITED WAY OF ACADIANA GRANTED $410,296 TO SUPPORT A TOTAL OF 15 COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES IN THE FORM OF PACT GRANTS AND OTHER GRANTS THAT FOCUS ON EDUCATION, EARNINGS, AND ESSENTIAL FOCUS AREAS. UNITED WAY OF ACADIANA TARGETS ITS GRANTMAKING TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL ON TIME; TO HELP HARD WORKING, LOW-INCOME FAMILIES BECOME MORE FINANCIALLY STABLE BY BUILDING AND SUSTAINING APPRECIATING ASSETS; AND TO HELP RESIDENTS MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS AFTER TEMPORARY FINANCIAL SETBACKS OR WIDE-SCALE DISASTER. DOLLY PARTONS IMAGINATION LIBRARY (DPIL) PROVIDES A FREE, NEW, AGE-APPROPRIATE BOOK EACH MONTH TO ENROLLED CHILDREN FROM BIRTH UP TO 5 YEARS OF AGE. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THE BEST WAY TO HELP CHILDREN LEARN TO READ IS TO READ TO THEM; YET MOST HOMES IN POVERTY HAVE ONLY 4 OR FEWER BOOKS. DPIL HELPS FAMILIES GIVE THEIR CHILDREN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS RICH IN EDUCATION EXPERIENCES AND ENCOURAGES PARENTS TO SPEND TIME READING WITH THEIR CHILDREN.UNITED WAY OF ACADIANA IS HELPING TO IMPLEMENT FRANKLIN COVEYS THE LEADER IN ME IN ALL INTERESTED SCHOOLS IN OUR SERVICE AREA. BASED ON STEVEN COVEYS THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE, THE LEADER IN ME IS A SCHOOL-WIDE PROCESS THAT TRANSFORMS THE CULTURE OF THE SCHOOL AND INSTILLS STUDENTS WITH THE KEY SKILLS THAT BUSINESSES AND EDUCATORS HAVE IDENTIFIED AS VITAL FOR SUCCESS IN THE 21ST CENTURY. THE LEADER IN ME REACHED STUDENTS IN 67 SCHOOLS IN THE ACADIANA REGION. STUDIES HAVE PROVEN THAT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LEADER IN ME, EVEN IN HIGH-POVERTY SCHOOLS LEADS TO INCREASED STUDENT ATTENDANCE AND DECREASED DISCIPLINE ISSUES, WITH THE END RESULT BEING HIGHER ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.UNITED WAY OF ACADIANA FOCUSES ON FOCUSES ON INCREASING AWARENESS OF THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT (EITC) AND INCREASING ACCESS TO FREE VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE (VITA). DONORS TO UWA MAY DESIGNATE THAT THEIR GIFT BE DIRECTED TO A UNITED WAY SERVING ANOTHER COMMUNITY IN LOUISIANA OR ANOTHER STATE OR TO ANY 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION PROVIDED THAT ORGANIZATION MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE USA PATRIOT ACT OF 2011. UWA FORWARDED $56,826 TO OTHER NOT-FOR-PROFITS INCLUDING OTHER UNITED WAYS PER THESE DONOR DESIGNATIONS.
- $331,985 spent. UNITED WAY OF ACADIANAS VISION IS FOR AN EDUCATED, PROSPEROUS AND SAFE ACADIANA WHERE ALL INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ACHIEVE THEIR POTENTIAL. UNITED WAY OF ACADIANAS MISSION IS TO UNITE PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS WITH PASSION, EXPERTISE AND RESOURCES TO CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR A BETTER LIFE. UWA'S VOLUNTEER CENTER MAINTAINS A BASE OF VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT EDUCATION, EARNINGS, AND ESSENTIALS. OUR MULTI-TENANT FACILITY ALSO MADE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE FOR MEETINGS BY OTHER NON-PROFITS AND IS USED FOR STORAGE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR ITEMS USED IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER PARTNERS FOR DISASTER RECOVERY, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, AND BUILDING SUPPLIES. IT ALLOWS NON-PROFITS TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN CAPACITY TO WORK WITHIN OUR MAIN FOCUS AREA OF EDUCATION, EARNINGS, AND ESSENTIALS THROUGH OCCUPANCY SUPPORT AT BELOW MARKET RATES. UWA TENANTS ARE LAFAYETTE PARISH PUBLIC LIBRARY, AMERICAN RED CROSS, CASA OF SOLA, AND SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS AND ACADIANA.
- $72,044 spent. LOUISIANA VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN DISASTERS (LAVOAD) HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY VITAL TO THE STATES EFFORTS IN IDENTIFYING NEEDS, DEPLOYING ASSETS, GATHERING INFORMATION AND COORDINATING DISASTER RESPONSE AND RECOVERY EFFORTS THROUGH AN ORGANIZED STATEWIDE NETWORK OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. UWA CONTINUES TO SERVE IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS FOR LAVOAD AND THE LOCAL ACADIANA VOAD (AVOAD). UWA STAFF WILL LEAD THE ORGANIZATIONS EFFORTS IN ACTIVATING RESOURCES TO IMPACT ACADIANA PARISHES IN RESPONSE TO DISASTERS. UWA ALSO PARTICIPATES IN THE EFSP PROGRAMS IN ACADIANA. THE EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER PROGRAM (EFSP) IS GOVERNED BY A NATIONAL BOARD, CHAIRED BY THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY. THE PROGRAM WAS CREATED TO HELP MEET THE NEEDS OF HUNGRY AND HOMELESS PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND ITS TERRITORIES BY ALLOCATING FEDERAL FUNDS FOR THE PROVISION OF FOOD AND SHELTER. THROUGH LOCAL BOARDS RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING WHICH ORGANIZATIONS WILL RECEIVE FUNDS AND WHICH SERVICES ARE FUNDED, THE EFSP DISTRIBUTES FUNDS TO HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1961.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.
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