United Way of Virginia's Blue Ridge Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

United way of Virginia's blue ridge is a unique asset to our community. Uw engages local businesses, nonprofits and individuals to determine and prioritize our region's most pressing needs. A committed network of community volunteers determines which programs make the biggest difference in addressing these needs. From july 1, 2024 - june 30, 2025, united way of Virginia's blue ridge invested over $4.2 million dollars in quality programs, initiatives, and small grants that make a positive difference in the community. $3.7 million came in the form of grants specifically awarded to directly support united way's signature initiatives - early learning strategies and family health strategies, and the remainder came from donations to the community impact fund. Additionally, united way made investments in the work of other non-profit organizations providing services which addressed key priorities identified in the areas of early learners, successful youth and healthy adults using a funding model that builds on partnerships among service providers to better address client needs and build coalitions that share outcomes to attract other funders. This model results in sustained social progress, streamlined access for clients and deepened connections among partners. In 2024 - 2025 fy, funding was awarded in two tiers. Tier 1 was for the collaborative partnership that addresses family needs through the community resource hub. Families are identified through community health workers, who then work one on one to identify needs and align the family with supports to meet those needs. United way invested $200,000 in the community resource hub partnership. Tier 2 is for system innovation collaborations that address complex social issues through partnerships among the service provider network. United way invested $230,000 in 3 system innovation collaborations that addressed early education, youth programming, and workforce development. This model has seen over 6,000 children access quality early learning programs and after school care with 439 receiving medical services; 387 youth were served at after school programs, over 1,000 adults and youth were connected with mental health services; 2,905 people who worked with community health workers were assisted with locating necessary resources, and 308 adults were assisted with employment services. An additional $70,000 was provided in small grants that supported youth mental health, domestic violence, and other health and wellness programs.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 80.6%; rating input score 81
• Program expense ratio: 81%; rating input score 81
• Fundraising efficiency: $13.01 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 46; 46th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.8%; rating input score 94; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 99.2%; 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: 0.8%; rating input score 37; 37th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.24; rating input score 45; 45th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.1; rating input score 58; 58th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 3.5%; rating input score 65; 65th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -0.1% per year; rating input score 0; 13th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: -0.7% per year; rating input score 0; 9th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -2.5% per year; rating input score 0; 6th percentile among comparable filings