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United Way of Cowlitz County

EIN 91-0609306 · Kelso, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS IN COWLITZ AND WAHKIAKUM COUNTIES IN WASHINGTON.

Income
$379,579
Spending
$470,466
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
5.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
0
Volunteers
706
Highest pay
$77,287, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 97 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 (2)
  1. $272,133 spent. UNITED WAY OF COWLITZ COUNTY (D/B/A UNITED WAY OF COWLITZ AND WAHKIAKUM COUNTIES) MOBILIZES THE CARING POWER OF THE COMMUNITY TO CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE THE LIVES OF EVERY PERSON IN COWLITZ & WAHKIAKUM COUNTIES. THE ORGANIZATION WORKS TO CREATE LASTING CHANGES IN THE AREAS OF YOUTH OPPORTUNITY, FINANCIAL SECURITY, HEALTHY COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCY BY FUNDING PROGRAMS, PROVIDING DIRECT SERVICES, AND CONVENING COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO ADDRESS LOCAL NEEDS.UNITED WAY ALSO STANDS READY TO RESPOND WHEN EMERGENCY NEEDS ARISE, COORDINATING EFFORTS AND MOBILIZING RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY DURING TIMES OF CRISIS.
  2. $97,821 spent. UNITED WAY IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING LOCAL CHILDREN ENTER KINDERGARTEN PREPARED TO SUCCEED AND SERVES AS THE LOCAL PROGRAM PARTNER FOR DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY, WHICH ENHANCES EARLY LITERACY, IMPROVES KINDERGARTEN ASSESSMENT SCORES, AND INCREASES FAMILY ENGAGEMENT. UNITED WAY ALSO INVESTS IN PRESCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS, SUPPORTS EARLY LEARNING COLLABORATIVES, PROVIDES FAMILIES WITH TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO ENCOURAGE LEARNING AT HOME, AND CONNECTS PARENTS WITH EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 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 March 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 July 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.