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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: June 2026 Expires: June 2028

United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
7
(414) 263-8100
225 West Vine Street
Milwaukee, WI, 53212
http://unitedwaygmwc.org/
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Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County does not meet the following 1 Standards for Charity Accountability:

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.

United Way GMWC does not meet this Standard because:

  • Although the organization produced a written effectiveness assessment report for its July 2025 assessment, the report was not submitted for approval to the board of directors.

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: 5

United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County meets the remaining 18 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to mobilize people and resources to drive strategic impact in health, education, and financial stability."

Year, State Incorporated:
1909, WI

United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County (United Way GMWC) reports that in partnership with corporate partners, local nonprofits, and volunteers, the organization works to improve Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties in Wisconsin through community investment. The organization works to invest in areas such as health, education, and financial stability. In 2025, United Way GMWC states that its programs served 192,430 individuals and an additional 235,876 individuals were served through its partner IMPACT 211. In addition, the organization reports that it provided grants to 150 local nonprofits that oversaw 20 programs to keep families in their homes, funded 18 programs that assisted individuals with career instability, supported 16 local high schools with mental health initiatives, and provided computers to those in need through its technology initiative.

For the year ended June 30, 2024, United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County's program expenses were:

Program investments, net $28,703,682
Community Impact $1,904,050
Grants $1,274,650
Volunteer engagement $1,054,032
Total Program Expenses $32,936,414

Chief Executive
Amy Lindner, President and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$364,149

Chair of the Board
George R. Oliver

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Johnson Controls

Board Size
49

Paid Staff Size
84

*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Telephone appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Television, Radio, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Membership appeals

Fundraising costs were 13% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $38,007,846, 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 of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024.

Source of Funds
Campaign revenue, net $33,706,097
Grants $4,301,749
Realized and unrealized gains on investments, net $1,839,268
Dividends and interest income $1,284,637
Other income $153,141
Total Income $41,284,892

Programs: 82% Fundraising: 12% Administrative: 7%

Total Income $41,284,892
Total expenses: $40,412,281
  Program expenses $32,936,414
  Fundraising expenses $4,819,296
  Administrative expenses $2,656,571
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $872,611
Beginning Net Assets $45,277,416
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $46,150,027
Total Liabilities $11,306,009
Total Assets $57,456,036

Note: According to United Way GMWC's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024, the organization received $670,662 in contributed goods and services including supplies for community programs ($559,500) and advertising ($111,162).

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

Report completed by:
BBB Serving Wisconsin