United Way of Pierce County
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
We mobilize and unite the caring power of Pierce County to tackle our community's toughest challenges to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways. Our bold goal is to lift 15,000 households out of poverty in Pierce County by 2028.
- Income
- $6.9 million
- Spending
- $7.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 19.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 53%
- Employees
- 41
- Volunteers
- 891
- Highest pay
- $242,884, president and chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 2523 of 25 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 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 (8)
- $2.2 million spent. Community Impact Program: In 2017 we made a bold goal to lift 15,000 household out of poverty by 2028. This takes a community wide effort of forming collaborations, agreeing on key measurements and tracking indicators with nonprofits, government, educators and businesses. 14,802 families have moved toward self-sufficency since we set this bold goal. Highlights in this area: Through grants from various collaborative partners, we offered Individual Development Accounts (IDA) which is a matched savings program where a participant builds assets for reliable transportation, education, debt reduction, start a business or steps towards home ownership. 184 individuals participated. The IDA program resulted in $1,318,908 of assets built. (source annual report). Our second cash assistance program served 190 families who received $500 a month for 12 months. Participants gained access to financial coaching, budgeting tools and workforce training. The impact goes beyond the numbers. Participants shared how the extra money allowed them to return to school, start a small business and spend more with their children. These are not just short-term gains-they are life-changing shifts that strengthen families and the broader community.
- $1.6 million spent. Community impact grants of $680,000 were distributed to various nonprofit agencies providing programs that help reduce poverty in Pierce County Washington. Grants are reviewed by staff and volunteers before being submitted to the United Way Board for approval. Capacity grants of $502,750 were given to 6 community partners providing finance and job coaches for our Centers for Strong Families (CSF) model. Individuals improve their financial condition, get better jobs and access to benefits. 1,000 individuals were served via CSF. 152 increased their income, 164 increased their net worth and 151 improved their credit score. The organization also distributed other grants of $361,066 that were donor designated to poverty reduction activities and $42,850 of board designated funds for emerging community needs.
- $1.1 million spent. 211 is a free and confidential service that connects people with critical resources helping to stabilize individuals in Pierce, Thurston and Lewis counties. 211 became part of a statewide system in October of 2025. As a result of that we formed Access Pierce serving Pierce County where navigators who are experts in the areas of transportation, behavioral health, basic food, housing and early learning assist individuals to fill needs. 3,365 calls were answered in the last quarter of 2025. An example of an individual being helped by this program: A pregnant 18-year-old student faced a housing crisis and United Way staff responded immediately securing emergency shelter and guiding her through the process of qualifying for a low-income apartment. This resulted in stable housing for both mother and child.
- $540,262 spent. Betye Martin Baker Human Service Center: Since 1995 our mission has been to offer other nonprofits significantly below market rent so they can put more money back into their missions. The service center is funded from tenant rents and capital campaign grants for major projects. Our aim is to have tenant rents 30% below market with the daycare at 70%. Reduced rents saved tenants approximately $343,327. Major upgrades in 2025 included the modernization of two elevators and adding disability access to the three entrances.
- $489,754 spent. Donor Voice Program provides donors the opportunity to designate their gift to other charities. All charities are verified as to their nonprofit status and compliance with the Patriot Act.
- $162,852 spent. Gifts in Kind: This program receives donations from companies and individuals and then gives those products out to other nonprofits to give to their low-income clients. United Way does not charge for this program. Examples of products received and distributed include diapers, gloves, paper products, small household appliances new and lightly used clothing and bedding. From time-to-time local entertainment venues donate tickets. Of the total program costs of $208,162, $117,578 were goods distributed to the community with the remaining $45,274 spent to run the program.
- $175,154 spent. Volunteer Engagement: United Way connects volunteers with other nonprofits. It also utilized volunteers in our own activities such as our MLK Day of Service, United Way Day of Action and our Summer reading and food program. We engaged 709 volunteers in 2,014 hours of service, including corporate teams that participated in MLK Month of Service, various Hygiene Kit projects and Summer of Action Snack Pack activities.
- $70,707 spent. United Way Worldwide Dues Program Support: Provides for educational opportunities, strategic direction, advocacy support and the concept of local community impact to assist our various program activities.
Source: Form 990 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 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 December 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 March 1953.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.