United Way of Chester County Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Chester county united way's agency relations and community development team is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of chester county residents. By building and nurturing partnerships with local nonprofits, the team ensures that vital resources and services reach those who need them most. Our strategic approach focuses on wise fund allocation, capacity building, and innovative community initiatives that create a lasting, positive impact. We are committed to addressing the most pressing challenges and working collaboratively to foster a thriving, resilient community for all. Impact highlights from the last fiscal year: -the total number of chester county residents assisted was 132,177. - invested 1,600,000: through a combination of grants to 35 agencies, special initiative funding, and donor designations, we strategically invested 1.6 million directly into the chester county community. This funding has supported essential programs and services, enhancing the capacity of our nonprofit partners and creating new opportunities for residents. - prepared 3,677 tax returns: our volunteer income tax assistance (vita) program, a cornerstone of our financial stability efforts, helped residents prepare 3,677 tax returns, generating an economic impact of over 5 million. By offering free tax preparation services, we empower individuals and families to maximize their refunds and use those resources to improve their financial situations. - completed 59 mobile home tax reassessment appeals: we successfully advocated for 59 mobile homeowners, as part of our ongoing mobile home tax reassessment initiative. This effort has now pushed the total assessments to 1,111, resulting in a projected 9 million in savings for mobile home owners over a decade. These savings provide families with much-needed financial relief, stability, and security. -provided financial coaching and supportive services: nearly 286 individuals benefited from our financial stability center's personalized coaching, counseling, and other supportive services. By offering tailored assistance, we empower residents to achieve their financial goals, whether it's budgeting, saving for a home, or managing debt. These accomplishments reflect united way of chester county's unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for our neighbors. We believe that by working together, we can overcome challenges and create sustainable, positive change. Our focus on collaboration, innovation, and accountability ensures that every dollar and effort invested makes a real, measurable difference, helping to build a more inclusive, prosperous chester county for all.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 75.6%; rating input score 76
• Program expense ratio: 81.5%; rating input score 82
• Fundraising efficiency: $10.98 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 41; 41st percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 0 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 0
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Missing
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 99.9%; rating input score 100; 51st 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 56; 56th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.62; rating input score 58; 58th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.24; rating input score 28; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 17.5%; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -7.1% per year; rating input score 0; 6th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: -5.8% per year; rating input score 0; 5th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -0.3% per year; rating input score 0; 17th percentile among comparable filings