United Way of Cass-Clay

What it reported doing in 2024

At United Way of Cass-Clay, our expertise is cultivating solutions to end poverty. By connecting experts and data, we invest in programs and innovative solutions best positioned to lift families out of poverty.We know poverty isn't just one thing. Today in our community, families struggle with hunger, housing, childcare, family-sustaining jobs, and more - often all at the same time. (Continued on Schedule O)To address these challenges, we focus on these Bold Goals:-Preventing Hunger & Homelessness-Preparing Children to Succeed-Strengthening FamiliesBold Goal 1 - Prevent hunger for families and children through system-wide collaborative initiatives.- Prevent homelessness for families and youth through system-wide collaborative initiatives.Why we invest: We believe every family deserves a place to call home and nutritious food to keep them healthy. We collaborate with local experts to address the root causes of homelessness and hunger, striving to prevent families and children from facing these hardships. Additionally, we invest in shelters and food pantries, ensuring comprehensive support for families as they work toward breaking the cycle of poverty. The Issue:-1,050 individuals are homeless; of which 200 are children-16,000 individuals experience hunger; of which 6,400 are childrenThe Results: - 35,990 families received food assistance (over 3.8M pounds) - 2,763 individuals prevented from homelessness (of which 85% maintained housing) - 10,000+ children screened for hunger at a health care visit - $1.3M saved through the Housing Navigation Program (7-year cost savings of $4,250,179)Bold Goal 2 - Prepare children for kindergarten socially, emotionally, and academically.- Prepare students to graduate choice ready to continue their education or to enter the workforce.Why we invest: We believe kids deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential. We know that children who receive high-quality, early childhood education and start kindergarten prepared are more likely to succeed in school and graduate. This critical milestone sets the foundation for a future filled with opportunities and choices as kids grow into adulthood. The Issue:- Only 37% of children under 4 years old are enrolled in early education - Kids are 3x more likely to experience poverty as adults when in poverty as kidsThe Results: - 739 children enrolled in high-quality, early childhood education - 1,633 students were connected to a positive adult mentor- 96% of children entered kindergarten socially, emotionally, and academically readyBold Goal 3- Increase employment and income to improve financial stability.- Increase family and social support to reduce barriers to access social, emotional, and mental health resources.Why we invest: We believe every family deserves the opportunity to thrive. Breaking the cycle of poverty is not easy. By improving the health, well-being, and stability of families we help provide the foundation to strengthen and stabilize families creating generational change. The Issue: - 75% of children who need mental health support don't have access- 1 in 9 individuals live in poverty; many who are unemployed or underemployedThe Results: - 612 individuals secured employment - 2,500+ families accessed supportive services, and reported an 80.7% increase in well-being- 99 individuals improved their employability by gaining new credentials, certificates, or degrees

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 83%; rating input score 83
• Program expense ratio: 82.6%; rating input score 83
• Fundraising efficiency: $7.93 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 30; 30th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 94.4%; rating input score 94; 24th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 1 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 17
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 99.3%; rating input score 99; 38th 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: 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: 1%; rating input score 37; 37th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.58; rating input score 53; 53rd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.05; rating input score 71; 71st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 10.4%; rating input score 29; 29th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -0.4% per year; rating input score 0; 12th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 1.5% per year; rating input score 100; 18th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 4.1% per year; rating input score 100; 30th percentile among comparable filings