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United Way of Missoula County

EIN 81-0287854 · Missoula, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UNITED WAY OF MISSOULA COUNTY BUILDS A BETTER COMMUNITY FOR ALL, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION, FINANCIAL STABILITY, AND HEALTH. WE COLLABORATE WITH DIVERSE COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY IMPORTANT SOCIAL ISSUES AND BRING TOGETHER RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THEM. WE GIVE DONORS A TRUSTED WAY TO SUPPORT CRITICAL SERVICES FOR PEOPLE IN NEED, AND WE MAKE SURE THAT DONATIONS ARE INVESTED WISELY.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 68%
Employees
13
Volunteers
132
Highest pay
$105,134, 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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

    16 of 16 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 (1)
  1. $1.3 million spent. form 990, part iii, line 4a - program service accomplishmentsthrough broad-based, results-oriented collaborations with other nonprofits, donors, businesses, the university of montana, local and county government, the school district, the faith community and other diverse partners, united way drives progress in implementing solutions to identified priorities in its three areas of focus.united way also serves as a conduit for donors who desire a trusted, one-stop way to invest in high-quality programs that produce measurable results, ensuring that charitable dollars are spent wisely and well in the community. current initiatives in which united way plays a leadership role in terms of visioning, convening, funding, staffing, and in-kind assistance include the following:education: missoula zero to five (working to ensure that all children arrive at kindergarten ready to learn and thrive)dolly parton's imagination library (free book-gifting program that promotes kindergarten readiness); back to school backpacks (annual school-supply drive).financial stability: reaching home: missoula's 10-year plan to end homelessness. united way remains the plan's principal private-sector fundraiser and advocate, securing funding for the temporary safe outdoor space and the centralized housing solutions fund. Missoula Child Care Advantage an innovative approach to expanding child care slots in the short-term and stabilizing existing child care providers across the community for the long-term.health: 5-2-1-0 let's move! missoula (encouragingincreased physical activity and healthy eating in school aged children through midday move); project tomorrow montana (suicideprevention); missoula substance use disorder connect (promoting prevention, treatment and support for those in recovery).disaster relief: wildfire ready missoula (reduce catastrophic property loss in the wildland urban interface). united way is also missoula county's designated financial partner, serving as a repository for private donations to alleviate natural disasters, such as fire and floods. united way receives, acknowledges and, with a panel of volunteer advisors, disburses donated funds to help families and organizations affected bynatural disasters. united way also provides grant funding to carefully screened and qualified nonprofit organizations in missoula and ravalli counties whose work aligns with and advances the goals of the above education, financial stability and health initiatives. each initiative has its own advisory board of local volunteers with expertise in the respective initiative areas. funding decisions are made collaboratively by united way staff, members of the community impact committee, andthe board of directors. funded programs comply with certain mutually agreed-upon conditions, spelled out in written memoranda of understanding, and results are evaluated by united way, in order to ensure that donor dollars are invested wisely and well.

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 October 1967.

    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.