United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
UNITED WAY OF NORTHERN NEVADA AND THE SIERRA'S MISSION IS TO UNITE COMMUNITIES TO IMPROVE LIVES. UWNNS'S VISION IS TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND INDIVIDUALS TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.
- Income
- $5.0 million
- Spending
- $6.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 93%
- Reserves
- 1.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 80%
- Employees
- 110
- Volunteers
- 264
- Highest pay
- $117,539, ceo and pres
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
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 49% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 25% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 57% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1593% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 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 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)
- $3.8 million spent. EDUCATION AND LITERACY SERVICES INCLUDES THE NEVADA READY STATE PRE-K PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES 3 TO 4-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN WITH A HIGH-QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION TO CHILDREN WHO OTHERWISE WOULD NOT HAVE ACCESS TO IT. IN ADDITION, THE UNITED READERS PROGRAM, PROVIDES FOUNDATIONAL LITERACY SKILLS THROUGH MENTORING WITH SPECIALLY TRAINED AMERICORPS MEMBERS FOCUSING ON PHONEMIC AWARENESS. FINALLY, UWNNS SERVES AS THE FACILITATOR FOR THE NORTHERN NEVADA READING COALITION, WHICH COLLABORATES WITH LOCAL LITERACY- FOCUSED ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT GRADE-LEVEL READING BY THE END OF THIRD GRADE INCLUDING PROGRAMS LIKE DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY.
- $1.6 million spent. COMMUNITY SAFETY NET SERVICES INCLUDES CRITICAL SERVICES SUCH AS THE EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER PROGRAM (EFSP), WHICH COLLABORATES WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO ENSURE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS HAVE THEIR BASIC NEEDS MET. IN ADDITION, THE SAFE PROGRAM PROVIDES ENERGY ASSISTANCE TO HOUSEHOLDS WHO HAVE CONFIRMED FINANCIAL NEED TO CATCH UP ON THEIR ENERGY BILLS. FINALLY THE RIDE UNITED PROGRAM WHICH ASSISTS CLIENTS WITH CRITICAL TRANSPORTATION AND DELIVERS LIFE-SUSTAINING SUPPLIES TO THEIR HOMES.
- $349,033 spent. THROUGH OUR COMPANY WORKPLACE CAMPAIGNS DONORS ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DESIGNATE THEIR GIFTS TO CERTIFIED 501(C)3 CHARITIES, ALLOWING THEM THE ABILITY TO GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY IN A MEANINGFUL WAY THAT WORKS FOR EACH OF THEM.
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
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.
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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1963.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.
California's Attorney General lists its registration as revoked as of December 31, 1990. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 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.