United We March Forward
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
United We March Forward (UWMF) is operating as a community-based charitable nonprofit organization.
- Income
- $90,147
- Spending
- $112,832
- Reserves
- 2.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 85%
- Highest pay
- $52,360, executive director
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 29 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 34% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 25% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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)
- $62,058 spent. Driver's Education: United We March Forward's Drivers Education for Immigrants (DEFI) program provides culturally responsive drivers education and literacy support to immigrants and refugee participants who are seeking transportation independence and workforce access. In 2024, we supported 25 participants and in 2025, the program supported 36 individuals particularly non-English speakers, in obtaining learners permit and developing safe driving skills. The program provided instruction in the participants primary language to improve understanding of Iowa traffic laws, public safety expectations, and financial responsibilities associated with vehicle ownership and transportation. The program combined classroom instruction, permit preparation, interpretation support, driving simulation, and practical driving education to help participants safely navigate transportation systems and improve access to employment, healthcare, schools, and community resources.
- $33,850 spent. Management/ General: This category included core operational services, community coordination, outreach, transportation support, and essential organizational programming. UWMF's Resource Directory program was established in 2018, it connected immigrant and refugee families with housing, workforce development, healthcare, and educational resources. Over 500 family households served through the Resource Directory program. One early participant entered the program while experiencing housing instability and living in her vehicle after relocating to Iowa. Within 30 days, we had connected her with housing, childcare, workforce support, and enrollment into a Certified Nursing Assistant training program. She now works full-time in healthcare and continues pursuing nursing education. Due to financial limitations in 2025, the organization ended its case management services in order to focus on sustaining core programs. Remaining activities included our English Literacy Program (over 50 individuals enrolled), Adopt-a-Family, a holiday support program for children under 18 (we served 45 children), transportation coordination, community outreach (over 200 individuals), and administrative operations necessary to support direct services.
- $16,924 spent. Grow Pamoja: United We March Forward (UWMF) Grow Pamoja (Swahili meaning together) included urban gardening initiatives and food access support aimed at improving food security, sustainability, and community wellness. Prior to the closure of our 3 food pantries due to funding limitations, the organization serve more than 5,000 individuals monthly through three food pantry sites. These pantry sites supported immigrants families, non-immigrants families, veterans, elderly residents, and young families. The urban gardening initiative supported fourteen immigrant and refugee growers who maintained garden plots, distributed produce at the Downtown Farmers Market, and donated a majority of harvested food through community pantry systems. The program also promoted food equity, urban agriculture education, and economic empowerment. Multiple participants expanded into independent agricultural production, including one participant who established an LLC and now distributes food locally. So far this initiative had produce over 5 individuals who are now upscaling their production. Due to funding challenges, UWMF closed all three food pantry operations in 2025 to preserve long-term organizational sustainability but we continue to support urban growers through gardening initiatives.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 August 2018.
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.
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.