United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Community schools every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential. United way is committed to working with community partners to clear the path to success, from early childhood through college and career. Our staff show up to work every day in one of nine public schools where they are responsible for aligning resources and partnerships to create hubs of support for students and families. One example: between september 4 and december 18, 2025, 4,382 people attended the 55 community nights held at local schools. Families found a healthy meal for the whole family, opportunities to connect with teachers and neighbors, and access academic support for their children. United for youth this multi-generational, cross-sector, cradle-to-career partnership was forged between asheville city schools, buncombe county schools, united way of asheville and buncombe county, and representatives of local health, social service, higher education, and youth services community partners. Ensuring that by 2035, all youth graduate from high school ready to achieve their goals and dreams is the group's bold community goal. The united for youth leadership team, which included members representing each school district, city, and county governments, alongside 14 other key partners, met throughout the year to outline the strategy for doing just that. Mobilizing volunteers hands on asheville-buncombe, united way's volunteer center, makes it easy for individuals and groups to get involved in meaningful volunteer opportunities with local nonprofit organizations and schools. Our staff works closely with local businesses, providing ways for teams to support our community. And during times of crisis, we play a key role in response efforts, as we did during hurricane helene. One example of this work in action: we secured 17 americorps nccc crewmembers last year. Together, these federally funded workers helped our community distribute 30,000 lbs of groceries and 25,000 lbs of essential supplies, remove 2,400 lbs of debris, and assist in building 10 homes.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 48.6%; rating input score 49
• Program expense ratio: 81.7%; rating input score 82
• Fundraising efficiency: $16.39 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 52; 52nd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 94.1%; rating input score 94; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 95.7%; rating input score 96; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Limited
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 41.2%; rating input score 92; 92nd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.59; rating input score 53; 53rd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.03; rating input score 87; 87th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 4.1%; rating input score 59; 59th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 3.5% per year; rating input score 100; 29th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.5% per year; rating input score 100; 48th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 3.6% per year; rating input score 100; 26th percentile among comparable filings