United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Since 1958, United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties has been raising funds and creating partnerships to improve lives and strengthen communities. We collaborate to support a foundation for the well-being, safety, and academic success of children, from birth to middle school.
- Income
- $2.0 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 69%
- Reserves
- 20.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 76%
- Employees
- 50
- Volunteers
- 72
- Highest pay
- $234,879, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 20.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 11% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 21% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1569% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2525 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, 2024, 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 (4)
- $330,277 spent. Donor Choice - We support local philanthropy by offering a safe, convenient donor-designated gift option. In 2024, over 200 non-profit organizations received designated contributions through our Donor Choice Program. Before distributing designated gifts, United Way screens each organization to verify compliance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and USA Patriot Act.
- $747,028 spent. Community Impact - We enhance student success through our Attendance Matters(R) mentoring program to support 350+ middle school students who are at risk of becoming chronically absent. During the 2024-25 school year, 60% of students averaged less than two absences per month after enrolling in the program. Attendance Matters(R) AmeriCorps members connected with an average of 528 students per month. We advance early learning through our partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. We raise funds and facilitate book orders to mail free monthly books to children, from birth to age five; 67,117 books were mailed in 2024.
- $239,882 spent. Community Grant Funding - We expand access to critical services through our 16 grants to local nonprofits. During 2024, more than 23,600 local children and their parents or caregivers accessed services and support provided by these grants.
- $322,888 spent. Community Solutions- Since 2006, our United Way has engaged the community in regional health and human services planning and implementation processes. In 2024, this included participating in local and regional committees and boards, providing access to regional data for decision making through www.bentonfranklintrends.org, and supporting local volunteerism.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.
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 January 1959.
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.