United Way of Merced County Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
We mobilize the caring power of our community to advance health stability and opportunity for all.
- Income
- $6.5 million
- Spending
- $4.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 9.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 63%
- Employees
- 49
- Volunteers
- 51
- Highest pay
- $121,110, chief executive officer
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
Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.1 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 37% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 16% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 2510 of 10 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 (2)
- $2.4 million spent. United Way of Merced County operates a range of community support programs aimed at strengthening economic stability access to information and organizational capacity across Merced County and the surrounding region. Programs include free tax preparation assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance VITA program 2-1-1 information and referral services connecting residents to local resources language access services to reduce communication barriers for limited-English-proficient individuals capacity-building support for nonprofit organizations through its RISE initiative and disaster relief coordination in response to local emergencies. Together these programs reflect the organizations commitment to ensuring equitable access to essential services and building a more resilient community.
- $1.3 million spent. United Way of Merced County provides community-based healthcare services designed to improve health outcomes for underserved populations in Merced County. Through its Enhanced Care Management ECM Community Supports CS and Community Health Worker CHW programs the organization connects individuals to care coordination social services and health education. These programs serve individuals enrolled in Medi-Cal who face complex health and social needs with the goal of reducing barriers to care addressing social determinants of health and supporting whole-person wellness. Services are delivered through direct outreach care navigation and collaboration with managed care plans healthcare providers and community-based organizations.
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 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 June 2025.
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 July 1971.
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.