United Way of Central Jersey Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Financial SecurityUWCJ assists financially fragile households in multiple capacities, including our year-round IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, administration oversight of FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter funding in Middlesex County NJ, supporting the NJ211 information and referral service, UWCJ's Family Financial Opportunity Center (FFOC), and the Middlesex County Alliance for Child and Family Success program.(Additional Information provided on Schedule O)UWCJ has a multi-level focus to provide much-needed financial security for community residents. VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)Individuals and families making $75,000 or less per year can have their federal and state income tax returns prepared and filed for free by IRS-certified volunteers in UWCJ's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance ('VITA') Program. The volunteer-driven program supports over 2,500 individuals in Middlesex County and returns an average of $2.5 million dollars in refunds, including Earned Income Tax Credits ('EITC'), and Child Care credits for taxpayers. Unlike other VITA programs, United Way of Central Jersey provides VITA services year-round to assist late filers, delinquent filers, filers responding to IRS and State tax notices, and preparation of ITIN applications and renewals. Low-income VITA tax clients also received FEMA-funded grocery gift cards. THE 2024 NUMBERS:145 volunteers 4,478 tax returns filed$2.5 million refunds & creditsFamily Financial Opportunity Center (FFOC)Our FFOC opened in May 2024 and provides the tools for our priority population of unemployed and underemployed parents of young children to thrive financially. Financial, employment and income support coaches provide resources and support to enable clients and their families to improve their financial well-being. During its initial 6- months of operation, the FFOC engaged 70 clients who were primarily female and Hispanic with monthly incomes under $2,000.FEMA Emergency Food & ShelterUWCJ provides administrative support for Middlesex County's Local FEMA Board, responsible for recommending Awards to local organizations providing emergency shelter; rent, mortgage and utility assistance and emergency food, diapers and infant formula. The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board informed New Jersey Local Boards of their Phase 42 Allocations in December 2023. Middlesex County's Award totaled $385,562. However, no further information has been received by the Local Board regarding next steps for the Phase 42 process.RIDE UNITEDLaunched in July, our Ride United Transportation Access initiative provided no-cost rides for individuals and families participating in our direct-service programs. Lyft transportation is available to our clients for the following purposes: health appointments, employment interviews, access to food and food-related benefits, education, legal issues, housing and economic stability needs.NJ211UWCJ supports United Ways of New Jersey's NJ 211 helpline, available 24/7/365 in multiple languages. During 2024, NJ 211 received 34,249 calls from Middlesex County residents and 12,167 web searches. Top live assistance needs were, in priority order: utilities assistance, at risk of homelessness and homeless housing programs, housing expense assistance, benefits screening and general information. Top web searches, in priority order were: housing expense assistance, residential housing options, utility assistance, emergency shelter and emergency food.Middlesex County Alliance for Child and Family SuccessThe Alliance is a community resource that residents can call for assistance with housing, childcare, benefits, immigration and other issues. In 2024, the Alliance handled 1,080 calls, including 138 callers with 183 young children. Alliance clients typically are women who have annual incomes below $29,000, about two-thirds of whom are Hispanic. Most clients were having trouble finding adequate housing and food. Jamesburg Healthy Food ProgramUWCJ operat

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 96.3%; rating input score 96
• Program expense ratio: 89.5%; rating input score 89
• Fundraising efficiency: $13.47 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 47; 47th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.8%; rating input score 94; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 2 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 33
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 96%; rating input score 96; 31st 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: -7.4%; rating input score 16; 16th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.01; rating input score 62; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.1; rating input score 59; 59th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 8.7%; rating input score 35; 35th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -8.5% per year; rating input score 0; 3rd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: -4% per year; rating input score 0; 4th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 2% per year; rating input score 100; 19th percentile among comparable filings