United Way Worldwide
United Way Worldwide experiences significant revenue decline and operates at a deficit in recent years.
EIN: 131635294 · Alexandria, VA · NTEE: T700 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $91.7M |
| Total Expenses | $65.7M |
| Program Spending | 75% |
| Net Assets | $49.1M |
| Transparency Score | 65/100 |
Is United Way Worldwide Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
United Way Worldwide directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About United Way Worldwide
United Way Worldwide (EIN: 131635294) is a nonprofit organization based in Alexandria, VA, classified under NTEE code T700. The organization reported total revenue of $91.7M and total assets of $68.0M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of United Way Worldwide's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
United Way Worldwide is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 92 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -4.9%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $51.6M |
| Total Expenses | $65.7M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-14,154,890 |
| Total Assets | $70.8M |
| Total Liabilities | $21.7M |
| Net Assets | $49.1M |
| Operating Margin | -27.4% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 30.7% |
| Months of Reserves | 12.9 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, United Way Worldwide reported a deficit of $14.2M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 12.9 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 30.7% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), United Way Worldwide's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.9%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -47.6% | -21.8% | -17.5% |
| 2022 | -13.2% | -23.0% | +2.4% |
| 2021 | -55.6% | -56.5% | +2.3% |
| 2020 | +2.6% | -2.1% | +5.4% |
| 2019 | +13.8% | +10.9% | -4.3% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1934 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates United Way Worldwide with a Mission Score of 65 out of 100 (Good). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 15%
- programs: 75%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, United Way Worldwide allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 75%, fundraising: 10%. With 75% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $14.2M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 30.7%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The provided data consistently shows 0% for officer compensation, which is highly unusual for an organization of United Way Worldwide's scale and revenue, suggesting that executive compensation details may be reported elsewhere in the 990 or are exceptionally low. This requires further scrutiny of the full 990 forms to understand the true compensation structure.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of United Way Worldwide's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant and sustained revenue decline from $255M in 2020 to $51M in 2023.
- Expenses exceeding revenue in multiple recent periods (e.g., 2023, 2019, 2018, 2016).
- Unusual reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, requiring further investigation.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for United Way Worldwide:
- Historically managed very large revenue streams, demonstrating capacity for significant fundraising.
- Maintained a relatively stable asset base (around $70-80 million) despite revenue fluctuations.
- Long filing history (13 filings) indicates consistent compliance with IRS reporting requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions about United Way Worldwide
Is United Way Worldwide a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, United Way Worldwide (EIN: 131635294) some concerns. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does United Way Worldwide spend its money?
United Way Worldwide directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to United Way Worldwide tax-deductible?
United Way Worldwide is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 131635294). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of United Way Worldwide's spending goes to programs?
United Way Worldwide directs 75% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does United Way Worldwide compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 65/100 (Good), United Way Worldwide is above average for NTEE category T700 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is United Way Worldwide located?
United Way Worldwide is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia and files with the IRS under EIN 131635294. It is classified under NTEE code T700.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does United Way Worldwide have?
United Way Worldwide has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $91.7M in total revenue.
Is United Way Worldwide experiencing a sustainable decline in revenue?
United Way Worldwide's revenue has decreased significantly from $255,214,771 in 2020 to $51,568,253 in 2023, indicating a substantial and potentially concerning trend that warrants further investigation into its causes and sustainability.
How does United Way Worldwide cover its expenses when revenue is lower?
In periods where expenses exceed revenue, such as in 2023 ($65,723,143 expenses vs. $51,568,253 revenue), United Way Worldwide likely draws from its accumulated assets or reserves to cover the deficit. This is sustainable only for a limited time without a reversal in financial trends.
What is the actual executive compensation for United Way Worldwide?
The provided data consistently states 'Officer Comp=0%', which is highly improbable for an organization of this size. A full review of the IRS Form 990, Part VII (Compensation of Officers, Directors, Trustees, Key Employees, Highest Compensated Employees, and Independent Contractors) is necessary to determine actual executive compensation.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for United Way Worldwide showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), United Way Worldwide's revenue has declined by 45.3%, moving from $94.2M to $51.6M. Total assets decreased by 31.4% over the same period, from $103.2M to $70.8M. Total functional expenses fell by 27.3%, from $90.3M to $65.7M. In its most recent filing year (2023), United Way Worldwide reported a deficit of $14.2M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $21.7M in liabilities against $70.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 30.7%), resulting in net assets of $49.1M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $51.6M | $65.7M | $70.8M | $21.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $98.5M | $84.1M | $85.8M | $23.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $113.4M | $109.2M | $83.8M | $36.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $255.2M | $251.3M | $82.0M | $44.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $248.8M | $256.7M | $77.8M | $40.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $218.7M | $231.4M | $81.3M | $30.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $175.8M | $147.4M | $101.9M | $37.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $109.3M | $117.9M | $76.6M | $35.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $99.2M | $89.5M | $84.4M | $37.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $89.3M | $80.2M | $76.0M | $37.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $78.7M | $89.9M | $66.6M | $29.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $96.1M | $93.9M | $82.3M | $41.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $94.2M | $90.3M | $103.2M | $64.0M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $51.6M, expenses of $65.7M, and assets of $70.8M (revenue -47.6% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $98.5M, expenses of $84.1M, and assets of $85.8M (revenue -13.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $113.4M, expenses of $109.2M, and assets of $83.8M (revenue -55.6% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $255.2M, expenses of $251.3M, and assets of $82.0M (revenue +2.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $248.8M, expenses of $256.7M, and assets of $77.8M (revenue +13.8% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $218.7M, expenses of $231.4M, and assets of $81.3M (revenue +24.4% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $175.8M, expenses of $147.4M, and assets of $101.9M (revenue +60.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $109.3M, expenses of $117.9M, and assets of $76.6M (revenue +10.1% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $99.2M, expenses of $89.5M, and assets of $84.4M (revenue +11.1% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $89.3M, expenses of $80.2M, and assets of $76.0M (revenue +13.5% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $78.7M, expenses of $89.9M, and assets of $66.6M (revenue -18.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $96.1M, expenses of $93.9M, and assets of $82.3M (revenue +2.0% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $94.2M, expenses of $90.3M, and assets of $103.2M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for United Way Worldwide:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for United Way Worldwide is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.