United Way Emerald Coast
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
United Way Emerald Coast does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
UWEC does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least Every 2 Years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
UWEC does not meet this Standard because:
- Although the organization produced a written effectiveness assessment report for its June 2025 assessment, the report did not include recommendations for future actions.
Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.
UWEC does not meet this Standard because:
- The 2023-2024 annual report did not include the organization's financial information for the year ended June 30, 2024.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability: 3, 14
United Way Emerald Coast meets the remaining 15 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to unite people with resources to improve the quality of life in Okaloosa and Walton counties."
Year, State Incorporated:
1957, FL
United Way Emerald Coast (UWEC) reports that it is a volunteer-based organization that brings citizens and vetted non-profits together in a community wide effort to help individuals with their health, education, and financial stability. The organization evaluates its community's needs, mobilizes community members, and directs resources to the areas that will have the greatest impact. In 2024, UWEC states that it provided 105,459 meals, had 3,465 volunteers, distributed grants to 66 local organizations, launched the Change Starts With U podcast, built the Born Learning Trail, and launched its microgrants for local non-profits.
For the year ended June 30, 2024, United Way Emerald Coast's program expenses were:
| Public assistance | $666,132 |
| RSVP | $196,545 |
| Project HEAL | $90,581 |
| Donor networks | $55,662 |
| ReadingPals | $38,565 |
| Total Program Expenses | $1,047,485 |
Chief Executive
Kelly Jasen, President and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$87,318
Chair of the Board
Sheila Fitzgerald
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Deputy County Administrator, Okaloosa County
Board Size
24
Paid Staff Size
8
*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Grant proposals, Internet, Workplace Giving
Fundraising costs were 10% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,241,863, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on United Way Emerald Coast's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024.
Source of Funds
| Campaign contributions, net | $754,398 |
| Grants and similar programs | $343,443 |
| In-kind contributions | $72,451 |
| Contributions of financial assets | $71,571 |
| Rental income | $7,650 |
| Interest and miscellaneous income | $2,530 |
| Total Income | $1,252,043 |
Programs: 84% Fundraising: 10% Administrative: 6%
| Total Income | $1,252,043 |
| Total expenses: | $1,248,883 |
| Program expenses | $1,047,485 |
| Fundraising expenses | $126,932 |
| Administrative expenses | $74,466 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $3,160 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $959,283 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $19,011 |
| Ending Net Assets | $981,454 |
| Total Liabilities | $672,644 |
| Total Assets | $1,654,098 |
Note 1: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to recovery of bad debt.
Note 2: According to UWEC's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024, the organization received $72,451 in contributed goods and services including specialized services ($41,002), goods, supplies, and prize giveaways ($15,909), and marketing and advertising ($15,540).
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
RELATED CONTENT
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB of Northwest Florida