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United Way of Santa Cruz County

EIN 94-1422471 · Capitola, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE UNITED WAY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY IS TO IGNITE OUR COMMUNITY TO GIVE, ADVOCATE AND VOLUNTEER SO THAT OUR YOUTH SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND IN LIFE, OUR RESIDENTS ARE HEALTHY AND OUR FAMILIES ARE FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT.OUR MOST SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITY IS THE UNITED FOR YOUTH INITIATIVE, A COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP THAT WORKS TO REDUCE YOUTH POVERTY BY CREATING ENVIRONMENT CHANGES GIVING CHILDREN MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LIVING IN A HEALTHIER, THRIVING, AND SAFER SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.Cradle to career and black health initiative as fiscal sponsorship.

Income
$5.6 million
Spending
$5.4 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 64%
Employees
38
Volunteers
400
Highest pay
$168,914, president & 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

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $1.8 million spent. UNITED WAY OF SCC PROVIDES PROGRAMS AND ADMINISTATION SOLUTIONS FOR FIRST 5 OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. FIRST 5 SANTA CRUZ COUNTY IMPROVES THE LIVES OF CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY WHO NEED THE MOST SUPPORT TO MAKE SURE ALL CHILDREN HAVE THE EARLY EXPERIENCES THEY NEED TO SUCCEED. FIRST 5'S PRIORITIES FALL IN THREE MAJOR GOAL AREAS: CHILDREN ARE HEALTHY; CHILDREN ARE LEARNING AND READY FOR SCHOOL; FAMILIES ARE STRONG; SERVICES ARE FAMILY FRIENDLY.
  2. $1.3 million spent. UNITED FOR COMMUNITY ALSO KNOWN AS 2-1-1 IS A CENTRALIZED HELPLINE FOR THE PUBLIC TO GET INFORMATION ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. CALLERS CAN USE THE EASY-TO-REMEMBER, TOLL-FREE NUMBER, 2-1-1, WHERE A TRAINED SPECIALIST WILL MATCH NEEDS TO LOCAL SERVICES. IN TIMES OF DISASTER, 2-1-1 PROVIDES UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON ROAD CLOSURES, EVACUATION SITES AND TEMPORARY SHELTER, RELIEVING THE BURDEN ON 9-1-1. YOUTH AND FAMILIES CAN CONNECT TO CRITICAL SERVICES FOR BASIC NEEDS BY CALLING THE HOTLINE, TEXTING THEIR ZIP CODE TO 211-211, OR VISITING THE WEBSITE,WWW.211SANTACRUZCOUNTY.ORG UNITED FOR YOUTH CENTERS YOUTH VOICE AND POSITIONS YOUTH AS DRIVERS OF COMMUNITY CHANGE. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO WORK WITH OUT-OF-SCHOOL PROGRAMS TO FOCUS ON AND SUPPORT POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH-ADULT PARTNERSHIPS, AND FOSTERING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY-LEVEL DECISION-MAKING. JOVENES SANOS (HEALTHY YOUTH) FOCUSES ON YOUTH LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY REGARDING HEALTH AND WELLNESS TO CREATE A HEALTHIER, THRIVING COMMUNITY. YOUTH ENHANCE THEIR LEADERSHIP AND ACADEMIC SKILLS BY ENGAGING IN LOCAL DECISION-MAKING TO PROMOTE HEALTHY EATING AND ACTIVE LIVING THROUGH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND NUTRITION WORKSHOPS. THE PROGRAM ALSO FOCUSES ON PROMOTING COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, ECONOMIC MOBILITY, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. UNITED WAY OF SCC PROVIDES COMMUNITY GRANTS TO SUPPORT LOCAL YOUTH-SERVING PROGRAMS IN MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. UNITED WAY OF SCC COLLABORATES WITH LOCAL AGENCIES TO DEVELOP NETWORKS AND STRATEGIC PLANS THAT IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. YOUTH PROGRAMS INCLUDE AFTER-SCHOOL ACADEMIC SUPPORT, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, HEALTHY EATING AND ACTIVE LIVING INITIATIVES, MENTORING, CAREER PATHWAYS, MINDFULNESS, NUTRITION WORKSHOPS, AND ADVOCACY TO PROMOTE HEALTHY COMMUNITIES. BY ENSURING YOUTH HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH THEIR GREATEST POTENTIAL, UNITED WAY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY IS FOCUSING ON YOUTH WELL-BEING TO PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES AND PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, ECONOMIC STABILITY, AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION AMONG SANTA CRUZ COUNTYS HIGHEST NEEDS YOUTH. UNITED 4 YOUTH IS A COLLABORATIVE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES AND PROGRAMS TO YOUTH AND FAMILIES THROUGHOUT SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. THE COLLABORATIVE ASSEMBLES NONPROFITS AND LOCAL LEADERS TO DESIGN INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS THAT LEAD TO POSITIVE AND SUSTAINABLE OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH - FROM ACADEMIC SUPPORT TO POLICY CHANGE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
  3. $898,250 spent. CRADLE TO CAREER (C2C) IS A PARENT ADVOCACY INITIATIVE AND COMMUNITY CONNECTOR. OUR COLLECTIVE BRINGS TOGETHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND CONNECTS THEM TO LOCAL YOUTH AND PARENTS, TO HEAR DIRECTLY ABOUT HOW TO SUPPORT THE HOPES, DREAMS, AND CONCERNS OF LOCAL FAMILIES. OUR MISSION IS TO WORK COLLECTIVELY TO EMPOWER FAMILIES, DELIVER RESOURCES, AND ADVOCATE FOR EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE SUPPORT SYSTEMS TO ELIMINATE DISPARITIES AND ENSURE ALL SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CHILDREN THRIVE IN THEIR EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND CHARACTER.BY ENSURING YOUTH HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH THEIR GREATEST POTENTIAL, UNITED WAY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY IS FOCUSING ON YOUTH WELL-BEING TO PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES AND PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, ECONOMIC STABILITY, AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION AMONG SANTA CRUZ COUNTYS HIGHEST NEEDS YOUTH. UNITED 4 YOUTH IS A COLLABORATIVE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES AND PROGRAMS TO YOUTH AND FAMILIES THROUGHOUT SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. THE COLLABORATIVE ASSEMBLES NONPROFITS AND LOCAL LEADERS TO DESIGN INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS THAT LEAD TO POSITIVE AND SUSTAINABLE OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH - FROM ACADEMIC SUPPORT TO POLICY CHANGE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.YOUTH ACTION NETWORK (YAN) CENTERS YOUTH VOICE, AND POSITIONS YOUTH AS THE DRIVERS FOR COMMUNITY CHANGE. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO WORK WITH OUT-OF-SCHOOL PROGRAMS TO FOCUS ON AND SUPPORT POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH & ADULT PARTNERSHIPS, AND FOSTERING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS BY PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY-LEVEL DECISION MAKING. JOVENES SANOS (HEALTHY YOUTH) IS YOUTH LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY REGARDING HEALTH AND WELLNESS TO CREATE A HEALTHIER, THRIVING COMMUNITY. YOUTH ENHANCE THEIR LEADERSHIP AND ACADEMIC SKILLS BY ENGAGING IN LOCAL DECISION-MAKING TO INCREASE HEALTHY EATING ACTIVE LIVING THROUGH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND NUTRITION WORKSHOPS.COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT PROJECT IS A NATIONALLY AND INTERNALLY RECOGNIZED DATA REPORT THAT EXAMINES THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SANTA CRUZ COUNTY RESIDENTS BY REPORTING SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH INDICATORS SUCH AS ECONOMICS, EDUCATION, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT, AND PUBLIC SAFETY. IT INCLUDES A BI-ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY OF OUR COUNTYS RESIDENTS PERCEPTION OF THEIR OWN WELL-BEING AS WELL AS EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TO SET COLLECTIVE COMMUNITY GOALS IN THE FIVE AREAS. THE DATA IDENTIFIES COMMUNITY NEEDS TO SPARK PLANS TO REDUCE DISPARITIES AND ENHANCE EQUITY IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
  4. $145,754 spent. BLACK HEALTH MATTERS INITIATIVE (BHMI)BLACK HEALTH MATTERS INITIATIVE (BHMI) WORKS TO ADVANCE HEALTH EQUITY AND IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING OF BLACK INDIVIDUALS, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. THE INITIATIVE COLLABORATES WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, LOCAL LEADERS, AND RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS HEALTH DISPARITIES, INCREASE ACCESS TO RESOURCES, AND PROMOTE EQUITABLE HEALTH OUTCOMES. BHMI PROVIDES COMMUNITY EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, OUTREACH, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOCUSED ON MENTAL HEALTH, WELLNESS, ECONOMIC MOBILITY, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THROUGH COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY-DRIVEN STRATEGIES, BHMI SEEKS TO CREATE A HEALTHIER, MORE INCLUSIVE, AND THRIVING COMMUNITY FOR BLACK FAMILIES AND RESIDENTS.

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 1954.

    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.

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