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Mile High United Way Inc

EIN 84-0404235 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MILE HIGH UNITED WAY'S MISSION IS TO UNITE PEOPLE, IDEAS, AND RESOURCES TO ADVANCE THE COMMON GOOD. MILE HIGH UNITED WAY'S VISION IS A COMMUNITY UNITED TO CREATE BETTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL. MILE HIGH UNITED WAY TACKLES THE BIG, COMPLEX ISSUES FACING METRO DENVER BY UNITING THE FULL FORCE OF THE COMMUNITY. MILE HIGH UNITED WAY'S WORK IS FOCUSED AROUND FOUR INITIATIVES: GIVING ALL CHILDREN A STRONG START, READING MATTERS, DEVELOPING TOMORROW'S TALENT, AND CREATING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL.

Income
$43.4 million
Spending
$43.1 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
8.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 48%
Employees
154
Volunteers
900
Highest pay
$452,125, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 39% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 25

    49 of 50 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 June 30, 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)
  1. $22.8 million spent. MILE HIGH UNITED WAY DISTRIBUTED 22.8 MILLION TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP & IMPACT INVESTMENTS GRANTS. GRANTS WERE AWARDED TO NONPROFIT AGENCIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES IN FOUR INTERCONNECTED INITIATIVES: GIVING ALL CHILDREN A STRONG START, READING MATTERS, DEVELOPING TOMORROW'S TALENT, AND CREATING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL. THE INITIATIVES ARE AIMED TO ENSURE ALL CHILDREN ARE READY FOR SCHOOL AND READING AT GRADE LEVEL OR BEYOND BY THE END OF THIRD GRADE. DEVELOPING TOMORROW'S TALENT STRIVES TO ENSURE ALL YOUTH GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND ARE READY TO TRANSITION TO COLLEGE, ADVANCED TRAINING, OR THE WORKPLACE. CREATING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IS FOCUSED ON ENSURING ALL INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ARE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE TOWARD ECONOMIC SUCCESS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER, (ARPA BIO FUND) 0.6 MILLION OF GRANTS SUPPORTED OVER 40 SMALL BUSINESSES TO HELP THEM REALIZE THEIR GROWTH POTENTIAL. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE STATE OF COLORADO (OPPORTUNITY NOW COLORADO GRANT PROGRAM) WHICH FOCUSES ON INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO MEET COLORADO'S WORKFORCE NEEDS HAS SUPPORTED 57 GRANTEES FOR A TOTAL OF 18.9 MILLION. MILE HIGH UNITED WAY DISTRIBUTED 22.8 MILLION TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP & IMPACT INVESTMENTS GRANTS. GRANTS WERE AWARDED TO NONPROFIT AGENCIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES IN FOUR INTERCONNECTED INITIATIVES: GIVING ALL CHILDREN A STRONG START, READING MATTERS, DEVELOPING TOMORROW'S TALENT, AND CREATING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL. THE INITIATIVES ARE AIMED TO ENSURE ALL CHILDREN ARE READY FOR SCHOOL AND READING AT GRADE LEVEL OR BEYOND BY THE END OF THIRD GRADE. DEVELOPING TOMORROW'S TALENT STRIVES TO ENSURE ALL YOUTH GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND ARE READY TO TRANSITION TO COLLEGE, ADVANCED TRAINING, OR THE WORKPLACE. CREATING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IS FOCUSED ON ENSURING ALL INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ARE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE TOWARD ECONOMIC SUCCESS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER, (ARPA BIO FUND) 0.6 MILLION OF GRANTS SUPPORTED OVER 40 SMALL BUSINESSES TO HELP THEM REALIZE THEIR GROWTH POTENTIAL. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE STATE OF COLORADO (OPPORTUNITY NOW COLORADO GRANT PROGRAM) WHICH FOCUSES ON INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO MEET COLORADO'S WORKFORCE NEEDS HAS SUPPORTED 57 GRANTEES FOR A TOTAL OF 18.9 MILLION.
  2. $11.0 million spent. COMMUNITY IMPACT SERVICES CONSIST OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT WHICH IS OFFERED TO NONPROFIT AGENCIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. MILE HIGH UNITED WAY INVESTED IN ADVOCACY, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, EVALUATION (DATA TRACKING, ANALYSIS, AND COLLECTION), VOLUNTEERS, PROGRAM QUALITY IMPROVEMENT, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. EXPENSES FOR INTERNAL PROGRAMS TOTALED 7.9 MILLION AND INCLUDE THE 2-1-1 HELP CENTER, A FREE CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNITY REFERRAL SERVICE, WHICH RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY 120,000 CONTACTS FROM PEOPLE LOOKING FOR RESOURCES SUCH AS FOOD, SHELTER, RENT ASSISTANCE, CLOTHING, CHILD CARE OPTIONS, LEGAL ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER SERVICES TO MEET BASIC NEEDS. BRIDGING THE GAP, A PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES SUPPORT TO MORE THAN 150 EMANCIPATED FOSTER CARE YOUTH WITH HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, FINANCIAL LITERACY, HEALTH, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT; AND THE UNITED NEIGHBORHOODS IS A COMMUNITY BASED DUAL-GENERATIONAL APPROACH THAT STRENGTHENS UNDER-RESOURCED NEIGHBORHOODS IN METRO DENVER. COMMUNITY IMPACT SERVICES CONSIST OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT WHICH IS OFFERED TO NONPROFIT AGENCIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. MILE HIGH UNITED WAY INVESTED IN ADVOCACY, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, EVALUATION (DATA TRACKING, ANALYSIS, AND COLLECTION), VOLUNTEERS, PROGRAM QUALITY IMPROVEMENT, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. EXPENSES FOR INTERNAL PROGRAMS TOTALED 7.9 MILLION AND INCLUDE THE 2-1-1 HELP CENTER, A FREE CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNITY REFERRAL SERVICE, WHICH RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY 120,000 CONTACTS FROM PEOPLE LOOKING FOR RESOURCES SUCH AS FOOD, SHELTER, RENT ASSISTANCE, CLOTHING, CHILD CARE OPTIONS, LEGAL ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER SERVICES TO MEET BASIC NEEDS. BRIDGING THE GAP, A PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES SUPPORT TO MORE THAN 150 EMANCIPATED FOSTER CARE YOUTH WITH HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, FINANCIAL LITERACY, HEALTH, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT; AND THE UNITED NEIGHBORHOODS IS A COMMUNITY BASED DUAL-GENERATIONAL APPROACH THAT STRENGTHENS UNDER-RESOURCED NEIGHBORHOODS IN METRO DENVER.
  3. $3.8 million spent. MILE HIGH UNITED WAY RESPONSIBLY FULFILLS DONOR INTENT, INCLUDING DONATIONS THAT DONORS DESIGNATE TO NONPROFIT AGENCIES OTHER THAN MILE HIGH UNITED WAY. MILE HIGH UNITED WAY PROCESSED 3.8 MILLION IN DONOR DESIGNATIONS, DISTRIBUTING FUNDS TO OVER 1,000 NON-PROFIT AGENCIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. MILE HIGH UNITED WAY VERIFIES THAT EACH AGENCY IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE CHARITABLE DONATIONS AND REQUIRES EACH AGENCY TO CERTIFY ITS COMPLIANCE WITH THE USA PATRIOT ACT AND OTHER COUNTERTERRORISM LAWS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1959.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.