United Way of 1000 Lakes

What it reported doing in 2024

5-2-1-0 playstations - the 5-2-1-0 playstation initiative is a trunk containing sports gear that supports families raising healthy children through more physical activity. Playstations are located in six local parks and neighborhoods to encourage play among children of all ages, regardless of their family's financial ability to purchase equipment. Volunteer portal - united way's cloud-based volunteer portal connects individuals and groups in the itasca county area to meaningful service opportunities at area nonprofits. Launched in july 2020, the platform is part of united way's capacity-building efforts to strengthen volunteerism. In 2025, united way facilitated 619 volunteer connections, generating 1439 service hours across 52 local organizations-matching community members with causes that need their time and talents. Day of action - the region's largest volunteer event, day of action mobilizes volunteers to complete projects that enhance community spaces and build community resilience. Since 2013, it has been central to itasca county's volunteer-led initiatives, engaging 1,298 volunteers who have donated over 7,553 hours of service-an estimated value of 223,743. Flavors of our community - a food insecurity initiative that increases access to culturally specific foods. Pantry packs are thoughtfully assembled and distributed through schools and community partners. In 2025, the program delivered 662 pounds of food to 551 families across 12 school- based pantries-helping ensure families receive nourishing foods that reflect their cultural preferences. Home for good - a financial stability program that provides essential household items-such as cleaning supplies and toiletries-to families facing economic hardship. In collaboration with homelessness prevention advocates, the program helps support access to safe, stable housing. In 2025, over 51 families received critical supplies valued at 3,086 that eased financial strain and promoted long-term housing stability. Resource library - the resource library offers nonprofits, civic groups, and grassroots initiatives access to tools that support their missions. Available at no cost, resources include technology, electronics, convening supplies, and a hybrid meeting space-all designed to strengthen community development and collaborative work. Stuff the bus - a ready kids, resilient families' initiative, stuff the bus promotes equity by providing students with the tools they need to succeed. Backpacks filled with classroom-specific supplies help reduce barriers for families and support student success. In 2025, more than 363 students received educational tools and resources across 19 schools. United way 2-1-1 - united way is a partner of 2-1-1 Minnesota, a statewide service that provides free and confidential health and human services information. The comprehensive 2-1-1 database is available 24/7 and offers individuals and professionals access to more than 40,000 resources through online search and chat or by dialing 2-1-1. United for alice - united for alice is a united way initiative that highlights households that are asset limited, income constrained, employed-families earning above the federal poverty level but still unable to cover the basics like housing, food, child care, and health care. In itasca county, 27% of households are alice, and when combined with the 13% living in poverty, 40% of households struggle to make ends meet. Dental care collaboration - united way, in partnership with the forward health foundation and 14 community partners, is addressing oral health gaps through education, expanded local services, career pathways, and advocacy for rural funding. A pilot mobile clinic funded by united way provided preventive and restorative care to uninsured and underinsured children ages 3-14, completing 14 cleanings and 14 treatments in march 2025. 2-gen coalition - united way's 2-gen coalition brings 18 nonprofit and service partners together monthly to align strategies, s

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 97%; rating input score 97
• Program expense ratio: 74.4%; rating input score 74
• Fundraising efficiency: $4.68 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 21; 21st percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 90.9%; rating input score 91; 13th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 83.4%; rating input score 83; 49th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 6 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 75
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -30.4%; rating input score 9; 9th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.76; rating input score 34; 34th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.36; rating input score 14; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 16.3%; rating input score 23; 23rd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -0.5% per year; rating input score 0; 29th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 1.5% per year; rating input score 100; 32nd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 2.2% per year; rating input score 100; 34th percentile among comparable filings