Accountability

 BBB A+ Rating

United Way has been evaluated and met all 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability – attaining an A+ as a BBB Accredited Charity.

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standards for Charity Accountability were developed to assist donors in making sound giving decisions and to foster public confidence in charitable organizations. The standards seek to encourage fair and honest solicitation practices to promote ethical conduct by charitable organizations and to advance support of philanthropy.

BBB assigns letter grades from A+ (highest) to F (lowest) based on accountability, governance and oversight, measurements of effectiveness, and transparency. According to BBB standards, organizations should spend no more than 35 percent of funds raised on administrative costs. United Way of Greater Toledo spends only 15 percent on administrative costs.

Four Star Charity Navigator Rating

Charity Navigator, America’s largest and most-utilized independent charity evaluator, has awarded United Way of Greater Toledo another four-star rating – it’s highest rating – for sound financial management and commitment to accountability and transparency. Charity Navigator’s new two-dimensional rating system now measures each charity's accountability and transparency in addition to the traditional financial health measurement. We were only one of 28 charities in Ohio to receive this prestigious rating. Learn more about Charity Navigator, read reviews, and view our profile here.

2011 United Way Worldwide Membership Requirements Completed

United Way of Greater Toledo has completed all 2011 reporting requirements for United Way Worldwide, and has been granted membership in their international organization.  Categories reviewed included fiscal responsibility, governance, campaign policies and success and community investments. To view a complete list of the Worldwide requirements, visit their page here.

Accountability

The United Way system has developed comprehensive requirements for completion of audited financial statements. They are intended to create a uniform set of standards for all United Ways to follow in preparing audited financial statements to ensure consistency and transparency on the part of each United Way. The requirements are based on current best practices in our industry as well as generally accepted accounting principles and requirements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board. The United Way system has also developed requirements for completion of the IRS Form 990 that clarify various areas of ambiguity and establish a single United Way standard for the 990 where the IRS allows for several different approaches.