United Way of Ne Minnesota

What it reported doing in 2024

Healthy communitiesunited way of northeastern Minnesota (uwnemn) is committed to eliminating barriers so that everyone in our region has the opportunity to live a long, healthy life. We know that improving health outcomes, particularly through access to comprehensive care, proper nutrition, and strong social connections leads to a more resilient and vibrant community.we also recognize that food access is foundational to health. Without reliable access to nutritious meals, individuals, especially children and vulnerable populations, are at greater risk for poor physical and mental health outcomes. That's why hunger relief is a key component of our healthy communities strategy.in-house programsbuddy backpacks: this well-known uwnemn program is a vital hunger-relief effort that directly supports the health and success of children by providing weekend meal kits during the school year to students in every school in our service area. Without basic needs like food being met, children struggle to focus, grow, and learn.meet up and chow down: a free summer lunch program that offers nutritious meals to children ages 1-18 at 14 sites throughout the region. This program helps bridge the nutrition gap when school meals are not available, supporting healthy growth and reducing childhood hunger.united for veterans: a veteran-led initiative that supports the overall well-being of local veterans. In addition to offering crisis funds and holiday meal baskets to veterans and their families, the program also hosts connection events and healing retreats. These efforts help combat isolation, reduce mental health challenges such as ptsd and depression, and build a sense of belonging and purpose among those who have served.smiles united: launched in partnership with children's dental services (cds), this program delivers vital dental care including cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, x-rays, and restorative procedures to underinsured and uninsured individuals. Services are offered in local schools during the academic year and at the uwnemn office in the summer. Originally focused on children, the program has expanded to serve patients of all ages. To further address rural dental care shortages, uwnemn formed a dental health task force to raise awareness and advocate for expanded services. Grant funding has also been secured to help individuals in urgent dental crises access care.volunteer center: uwnemn operates a regional volunteer center promoting both internal and external volunteer opportunities across it's entire service area.community investmentsuwnemn also funds seven agency partners committed to supporting the health and independence of vulnerable community members. These partners provide: advocacy and support for individuals and families facing cancer or life-limiting illnesses, services that help seniors remain safe, healthy, and independent in their homes and communities, enhanced care and outreach to veterans and programs that promote safe, supportive environments and overall well-being.together, these programs and partnerships ensure that individuals and families across northern st. Louis county, koochiching county, lake of the woods county, and parts of itasca county have access to the care, nutrition, and support they need to thrive - physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 90.3%; rating input score 90
• Fundraising efficiency: $17.47 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 55; 55th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 94.1%; rating input score 94; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 31.4%; rating input score 31; 13th 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: 8 of 8 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: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -16.5%; rating input score 8; 8th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.44; rating input score 50; 50th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.14; rating input score 53; 53rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 3.8%; rating input score 63; 63rd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 4.4% per year; rating input score 100; 36th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 3.8% per year; rating input score 100; 32nd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 4.2% per year; rating input score 100; 30th percentile among comparable filings