Financial Accountability

We Fight For:

United Way Blackhawk Region 211 logo

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COVID-19 Response

Thanks to the generosity of our community, United Way is helping families and people in need access critical information and providing relief to those left vulnerable by the pandemic.

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Our Charity Ratings

Charity Navigator 4 Star logo

Charity Navigator, America’s premier independent charity evaluator, has awarded United Way Blackhawk Region four out of a possible four stars 9 years in a row. This score indicates that UWBR adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way. Review UWBR’s Charity Navigator rating.

For 2024, United Way Blackhawk Region has again earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency (highest rating available) by Candid. Every year, millions of nonprofits spend trillions of dollars around the world. Candid finds out where that money comes from, where it goes, and why it matters. Candid’s data tools are the most comprehensive in the world. In 2019, Foundation Center and GuideStar joined forces to become Candid, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Each year, local United Ways must adhere to standards set forth by United Way Worldwide to remain members in good standing. United Way Blackhawk Region’s volunteer Board of Directors certify a document attesting to our compliance, including:

  • Tax exemption adherence
  • Legal requirements
  • Effective board governance
  • Diversity, equity, & inclusion practices
  • Trademark utilization
  • Code of ethics
  • Independent audit

Transparency

United Way Blackhawk Region plays a unique role as both a resource to corporate partners and as a leader in the non-profit sector, building trust through all we do. This bond of trust goes beyond legal or regulatory requirements to include transparency, a core value we hold dear. We believe that a key element of transparency is freely sharing not only our IRS Form 990 (as required by law) but also our independently audited financial statements. It is our hope that doing so demonstrates our commitment to public accountability for the financial stewardship of the assets our donors have entrusted to us.

Our Commitment to Our Donors

We will not sell, share or trade our donors’ names or personal information with any other entity, nor send mailings to our donors on behalf of other organizations. This policy applies to all information received by United Way Blackhawk Region, both online and offline, on any Platform (‘Platform’, includes the United Way Blackhawk Region website, ePledge, e-CImpact, and mobile applications), as well as any electronic, written, or oral communications.

To the extent any donations are processed through a third-party service provider, our donors’ information will only be used for purposes necessary to process and recognize the donation.

Public Charity

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recognizes United Way Blackhawk Region (UWBR) as a Section 501(c)(3) public charity. Our Federal Tax ID Number is  39-6006734. Contributions to UWBR may be eligible for tax deduction in the U.S.A., please consult your tax advisor for eligibility. No goods or services were offered or provided in exchange for this contribution.

Financial Accountability

Each United Way is independently governed by a local volunteer board, in order to best meet our local needs and opportunities. We must, however, adhere to a stringent set of membership standards that focus on governance, ethics, financial management, and general operations.

United Way brings together citizens, community leaders, business, the faith community, government, nonprofit organizations and other institutions to determine the most critical human issues that require collective, not just individual, action.

These issues range from basic human needs – like food, shelter and emergency assistance – to emerging and growing issues like the need for affordable housing, services and support for seniors, and positive youth development.

United Way then raises money locally in an annual campaign, generates other revenue outside of the campaign, secures non-cash in-kind resources, and advocates for sound public policy, along with employing other relevant strategies in order to produce life-changing impact.

United Way is one of the few remaining not-for-profit vehicles to pool investments in order to create a greater return on the individual investment.

Your investment is unique because of our ability to mobilize resources, individuals, and institutions in a combined effort. Leveraging our relationships with such a diverse group of players produces greater results for all.