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100 N Pennsylvania Ave., 2nd Floor
2nd Floor
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701-3507
Wilkes-Barre PA | IRS ruling year: 1958 | EIN: 24-0831490
Organization Mission
The United Way of Wyoming Valley is a nonprofit whose mission is to bring together individuals and businesses in our area, help them invest in our community and in t ... (More)
The United Way of Wyoming Valley is a nonprofit whose mission is to bring together individuals and businesses in our area, help them invest in our community and in turn, make it stronger. One third of all children under age 5 in Luzerne County is growing up below the poverty line. It doesn't get much better for all youngsters under age 18; nearly 25.3 per cent of them live in poverty. Our goal is to reduce those statistics, by creating a movement that engages all of us to bring passion, creativity, and philanthropy to the fight against childhood poverty. Please join us! (Less)
Great
This charity's score is 100%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores, weighted as follows: 85% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 5% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
We recognize that not all metrics and beacons equally predict a charity’s success. The percentage each beacon contributes to the organization’s overall rating depends on the number of beacons an organization has earned.
Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned.
| Date Published | Form 990 FYE | Overall Score | Overall Rating |
| Rating Version: 2.1 | |||
| 3/1/2022 | 2020 | 100.00 | |
| 6/1/2021 | 2019 | 97.76 | |
| 11/1/2020 | 2019 | 96.39 | |
This organization received multiple star ratings within this fiscal year, due to an update to its Accountability and Transparency data and/or the receipt of an amended Form 990. | |||
| 7/1/2019 | 2018 | 91.88 | |
| 7/1/2018 | 2017 | 95.31 | |
| 11/1/2017 | 2016 | 86.92 |  |
| 11/1/2016 | 2015 | 86.85 | |
| 6/1/2016 | 2014 | 86.73 | |
| Rating Version: 2.0 | |||
| 11/1/2015 | 2014 | 81.61 | |
| 7/1/2014 | 2013 | 87.03 | |
| 9/1/2013 | 2012 | 82.14 | |
| 9/1/2012 | 2011 | 80.62 | |
| 12/1/2011 | 2010 | 85.21 | |
| 9/20/2011 | 2009 | 87.50 | |
| Rating Version: 1.0 | |||
| 11/24/2010 | 2009 | 82.09 | |
| 9/1/2009 | 2008 | 86.70 | |
| 10/1/2008 | 2007 | 97.11 | |
| 8/1/2007 | 2006 | 93.79 | |
| 9/1/2006 | 2005 | 85.63 | |
| 11/1/2005 | 2004 | 73.41 |  |
Score
Most Recent Fiscal Year:
FY 2022
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
Learn more
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No CreditMajority Independent Board Members - 100% independent members8 out of 8 points Majority Independent Board Members - 100% independent members8 out of 8 points
Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. We check to see if at least 50% of board members are indentified as independent on their tax form.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Board Size - 25 independent members7 out of 7 points Independent Board Size - 25 independent members7 out of 7 points
Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. For most organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least three board members. For large, donor-funded organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least five independent board members
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Audit or Financial Review - Yes15 out of 15 points Independent Audit or Financial Review - Yes15 out of 15 points
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
| Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
| $2 million or higher and 40% or higher donor support | Expected to complete an audit and have an audit oversight committee |
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Material Diversion of Assets - None10 out of 10 points Material Diversion of Assets - None10 out of 10 points
A diversion of assets — any unauthorized conversion or use of the organization's assets other than for the organization's authorized purposes, including but not limited to embezzlement or theft — also can seriously call into question a charity's financial integrity. We review the charity's most recent IRS Form 990 to see if the charity has reported any diversion of assets.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditWebsite Listed on Tax Form - Listed2 out of 2 points Website Listed on Tax Form - Listed2 out of 2 points
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed4 out of 4 points Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed4 out of 4 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Listed4 out of 4 points Whistleblower Policy - Listed4 out of 4 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed4 out of 4 points Document Retention and Destruction - Listed4 out of 4 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Documents Board Meeting Minutes - Yes2 out of 2 points Documents Board Meeting Minutes - Yes2 out of 2 points
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the IRS Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditTax Form Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Listed4 out of 4 points Tax Form Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Listed4 out of 4 points
For almost all charities, we check the charity's IRS Form 990 to see if it discloses that the Form 990 is available on the charity's website. As with the audited financial statement, donors need easy access to this financial report to help determine if the organization is managing its financial resources well.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditLiabilities to Assets: Ratio - 8.92%15 out of 15 points Liabilities to Assets: Ratio - 8.92%15 out of 15 points
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent IRS Form 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization's solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense: Ratio - 88.55%25 out of 25 points Program Expense: Ratio - 88.55%25 out of 25 points
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three IRS Forms 990). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
Source: IRS Form 990
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
No Data Available
Salary data is coming soon.
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (United Way of Wyoming Valley) or EIN (240831490) in the 'Search Term' field.
Not Currently Scored
United Way of Wyoming Valley cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Score
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditConstituent Feedback - Data Available100/100 points Constituent Feedback - Data Available100/100 points
100% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. The methodology leveraged for Constituent Feedback is based on The Core Principles of Constituent Feedback, which describes listening and responding well to feedback. Charity Navigator participates in a consortium with other feedback experts and leading nonprofit infrastructure platforms to drive Constituent Feedback's advancement, promotion, and data collection.
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
SMS text surveys, Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Constituent (client or resident, etc.) advisory committees
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
With whom does your organization share the feedback you got from the people you serve?
The people we serve, Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Note: The organization reported no challenges faced.
Briefly describe a recent change that your organization made in response to feedback from the people you serve.
Note: The organization did not respond to this question.
Equity Practices - No Data AvailableUnscored Equity Practices - No Data AvailableUnscored
This organization has not provided information regarding the Equity Practices it is presently implementing. As such, the organization has not earned a score on this metric. This assessment demonstrates the importance of implementing practices that contribute positively to an organization's overall culture, both internally and with respect to community engagement. Furthermore, equity centered frameworks and similar approaches have drawn much attention from donors, experts, and sector leaders who underscore its value to the nonprofit's overall health and capacity for mission success. Currently, the Equity Strategies Checklist assessment consists of practices and policies that promote racial equity in their operations and programs (per the Equity Strategies checklist administered by Candid). As we refine our DEI assessment, Charity Navigator partners with DEI consultants and field experts to broaden and deepen this work.
Score
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditMission 10/10 points Mission 10/10 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
The United Way of Wyoming Valley is a nonprofit whose mission is to bring together individuals and businesses in our area, help them invest in our community and in turn, make it stronger. One third of all children under age 5 in Luzerne County is growing up below the poverty line. It doesn't get much better for all youngsters under age 18; nearly 25.3 per cent of them live in poverty. Our goal is to reduce those statistics, by creating a movement that engages all of us to bring passion, creativity, and philanthropy to the fight against childhood poverty. Please join us!
Vision 10/10 points Vision 10/10 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
Childhood poverty in the Wyoming Valley is eliminated and all children have the opportunity to be su
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals 20/20 points Goals 20/20 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Education: To help at-risk children enter kindergarten ready to learn and move through school and beyond with confidence.
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Goal Two: Health: To help at-risk children and families achieve good health.
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Leadership Development 15/15 points Leadership Development 15/15 points
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Describe an investment in leadership
We frequently enroll key staff in a year long, community based leadership program. We also encourage staff to attend programs and conferences sponsored by our national organization.
Mobilizing for Mission 15/15 points Mobilizing for Mission 15/15 points
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
This organization mobilizes for mission in the following ways:
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Community Building
Policy Advocacy
What are this organization’s external mobilizaton efforts?
Our organization engages with many other agencies, school districts, foundations, donors, and community leaders to meet the needs of at-risk children in our community. We have not only presented at conferences, but developed conferences on improving graduation rates, trauma, grade level reading. We work extensively with schools that have high risk student populations. We also advocate for children through monthly op-eds in our local papers and through social media.
Adaptability Story 30/30 points Adaptability Story 30/30 points
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
When the school buildings closed due to the pandemic, several of our school-based initiatives and programs were immediately put on hiatus. Meanwhile, we transformed some of these programs to be delivered in the current environment. Examples include: Summer Learning Workbooks to help reduce increased exposure to the "summer slide." We provided nearly 7,000 Kindergarten through 2nd grade students with high-quality summer learning materials focusing on literacy and math. We also communicated with families about the importance of encouraging students to complete the age-appropriate workbooks. We assembled 3,000 COVID hygiene kits to support personal hygiene needs to boost the overall health and well-being of students learning in a remote setting. The kits contained essential items for elementary-age children such as shampoo, soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, a reusable facemask, and shelf stable food products. We facilitated our first ever "United to Read" virtual volunteer event to honor Read Across America Week and to support local literacy efforts. More than 150 classrooms and 4,000 K-6 students participated. We convened Zoom meetings with local school districts superintendents/representatives to better understand the most current needs of our earliest learners and responded by providing a 2nd year of Summer Learning Workbooks for nearly 4,000 K-2 students in our most impoverished school districts.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
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