2026-05-08T15:04:28-05:00 2025-06-30 061667465 Prager Metis CPAs PLLC 32 Orange Street Asheville NC 28801 990 2024-07-01 560890133 Henderson County United Way Inc HEND 8286921636 PO Box 487 Hendersonville NC 287930487 Katherine Carlton Executive Director 8286921636 2026-05-08 1 1 Christopher M Forrest P01329692 8282813161 2026-05-08 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z United Way of Henderson County Katherine Carlton PO Box 487 Hendersonville NC 287930487 3407739 0 X liveunitedhc.org X 1953 NC Improve the lives of Henderson County residents. 18 18 8 2377 0 0 1352359 3378651 0 0 58319 29088 0 0 1410678 3407739 559514 1092382 0 0 604537 667705 0 0 122260 305642 1093798 1469693 2853885 -59015 553854 1623517 2938700 507509 1219287 1116008 1719413 X To organize and mobilize community resources to improve lives of Henderson County residents. 0 0 2627196 1092382 0 United Way of Henderson County (UWHC) has served our community since 1953 and is committed to serving our Henderson County neighbors for decades to come. Our work to organize and mobilize community resources to improve the lives of Henderson County residents is making a lasting and transformational impact throughout our community. On September 27th, 2024, Tropical Storm Helene caused devastating damage throughout our community. Building upon decades of partnerships, trust, and experience mobilizing resources, UWHC stepped up to serve at an elevated capacity to help our community. Our team was on the ground the first week after the storm mobilizing volunteers and supplies, raising funds, driving emergency information routes for EMS, and creating the framework for our county's nonprofit response and recovery. Our rapid and impactful response in the aftermath of Helene demonstrates our steadfast ability to build upon seventy years of partnerships and service to meet our communities' greatest needs. As you will read below, these monumental accomplishments occurred in tandem with the growing impact that we continue to create through our signature programming. Our strategic direction is guided by our 2023-28 Strategic Plan. The plan focuses on 4 bold goals relating to community impact, resource development, community engagement and education, and organizational capacity, while ensuring that we build capacity and embed equity throughout our organization. UWHC maintains rigorous standards of financial stewardship and public accountability. We undergo an annual independent audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. UWHC holds a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Transparency designation from Candid. Governed by a committed volunteer Board of Directors, UWHC ensures that all community investment funding decisions are made by panels of community volunteers who evaluate programs and outcomes. This community-driven approach ensures transparency, accountability, and alignment with local priorities.UWHC works hard to leverage broad community support (financial, in-kind, volunteer) to ensure that our community receives the maximum benefit. We are proud that UWHC puts over a dollar of value back into the community for every dollar raised when accounting for cash and non-cash value of in-kind and volunteer hours. Our core mission support, covering our fundraising, management and general expenses, is 7%. UWHC's cash investment to assist the community during the 2024-25 fiscal year was more than $2.6 million. In total, UWHC awarded more than 75 grants to local nonprofit agencies FY25 and helped to provide more than 40,000 local services to Henderson County neighbors in need. Our 2024-25 Community Investment grant funding includes support for 42 programs across 25 local nonprofits supporting the health, education, financial stability and basic needs of Henderson County neighbors. We also provided pivotal funding for 13 local food pantries to increase access to healthy, nutritionally dense foods for families in need and awarded 30 local Helene Response and Recovery Grants to support our community as we continue to recover from Helene. Our ability to organize and mobilize local volunteers and leverage gift-in-kind donations provided over 10,000 volunteer hours for a non-cash value of over $470,000 in local support. In October 2024 alone, we connected more than 1,500 volunteers to serve 6,600 hours to support Helene response and recovery. Our Annual Days of Caring initiative mobilized 280 volunteers who contributed 1,293 hours in May 2025. Collectively, we completed 26 projects at 22 organizations in addition to providing essential support for the National Letter Carriers' Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive that collected over 39,000 pounds of nonperishable food from residents to support local food pantries. Throughout the year, our Women United affinity group and local corporate partners held donation drives providing additional gift-in-kind support. Bikes 4 Kids (B4K) is an annual fundraiser that provides bicycles and helmets to local families in need during the holiday season. In partnership with The Tempo Project and local bike club Tempo Cyclisme, B4K partners with local businesses, athletes, and volunteers to raise funds to purchase bikes and helmets for children in our community. During the 2024 holiday season, we donated more than 200 bikes and helmets to local children through The Storehouse's Blessings in Boxes program. In addition to the impactful funding and volunteer support we provide, we also run five internal programs that are making a big impact in Henderson County. Our signature programs are Born Learning Trails, Girls EMpowered, Rising Leaders, EveryDay Strong, and our newest program, the Disaster Recovery Partnership. Our Born Learning Trails are a series of 10 interactive, bilingual signs that offer fun, active learning for children and their families as they walk along the trail. We host two trails in Henderson County, located at Mills River Park and on the Oklawaha Greenway. These educational trails promote learning in a fun and interactive way while boosting language, reading, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.Girls EMpowered (GEM), is a weekly after school program designed to increase self-esteem and school success for girls. GEM helps ensure that every girl in our Henderson County Public School system has the opportunity to thrive as they reach for their goals. The program is offered to both 5th graders and 8th graders, as these are pivotal years where students prepare to transition from elementary to middle school, and then from middle to high school. GEM has empowered more than 400 girls since 2017 and continues to grow each year. Rising Leaders is a UWHC Program designed to develop the next generation of community leaders and board members for Henderson County non-profit organizations. In 2024-25, 16 Rising Leaders completed the 14th year of our Rising Leaders program. These graduates join more than 300 UWHC Rising Leaders graduates who are now ready and able to serve on local boards. EveryDay Strong focuses on training trusted adults, peers, and professionals in evidence-based mental and behavioral health practices to support youth. In 2024, UWHC held its first community class in WNC, attended by 40 nonprofit staff from 15 organizations, with sessions offered in English and Spanish. In 2025, trained presenters shared EveryDay Strong through more than 12 presentations including to WNC Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors, YMCA of WNC employees, and leadership at the Henderson County Education Foundation. Another way UWHC strengthens the safety net woven through our community is by ensuring people know how to access resources through nc211.org or by calling 2-1-1. NC 211 is an information and referral service provided by United Way of North Carolina and powered by local United Ways like UWHC. We are proud to partner with this essential service to help connect residents in need to local resources. UWHC plays a central role in strengthening and rebuilding Henderson County, from immediate disaster response to long-term recovery. Built on a strong foundation of collaboration, communication, and trust among nonprofit partners, UWHC leads coordinated community efforts during times of crisis. Following Hurricane Helene, UWHC served as the nonprofit leader and convener for disaster response and recovery across Henderson County. In partnership with Henderson County Government, FEMA, the American Red Cross, and more than 70 local and regional organizations, UWHC mobilized critical funding, volunteers, and essential supplies. UWHC also maintained a continuous presence at the County's Disaster Recovery Center from opening to closure, ensuring residents were connected to vital nonprofit resources.UWHC's proven track record of community engagement, accountability, and trusted leadership led the Henderson County Long-Term Recovery Steering Committee to select UWHC as the lead agency and fiscal sponsor of the newly established Disaster Recovery Partnership (DRP).The DRP is dedicated to uniting and empowering Henderson County communities in the face of disaster. Its mission is to promote effective information sharing, streamline access to essential resources for individuals and families, and collaboratively address unmet recovery needs. The partnership envisions a resilient, connected community that is prepared to overcome adversity and respond to future challenges with confidence and solidarity.Through this initiative, UWHC continues to fulfill its mission of organizing and mobilizing community resources by leveraging local, regional, and national networks to meet the ongoing recovery needs stemming from Helene. 2627196 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 1 8 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 18 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 X X X Robin Morgan 8286921636 722 5th Avenue West Hendersonville NC 28739 X Bartley Kyle Stratigic Planning C 2.00 X 0 0 0 Bollo-Higgins Angela Agency Rep - Non voting 1.00 X 0 0 0 Brown Tae Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Bunch Kristen Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Canning Joe Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Carpenter Pauline Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Darity Samanda Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Garrett Mark Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Gould Debi Community Invest Chair 1.00 X 0 0 0 Hobbs Lowry Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Holloway Lew Past Chair 1.00 X 0 0 0 Holt Amy Lynn Vice Chair 2025 2.00 X 0 0 0 Jentzen Marilyn Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Knapp Beverly Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Murrill Tom Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Nudd Brandon Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Pena Angie - Agency Rep-non voting Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Reynolds Micelle Secretary 2.00 X 0 0 0 Rushing Trina Chair 2024 2.00 X 0 0 0 Tirrell Sharon Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Todd Christopher Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Todd Kevin Chair 2025 1.00 X 0 0 0 Tracz Michelle Treasurer 2.00 X X 3050 0 0 Vaness Cory Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Wilkerson Brenda Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Carlton Katherine Executive Director 38.00 X 86824 0 12940 89874 0 12940 0 0 0 0 0 87000 3291651 3378651 4503 4503 24585 0 24585 24585 24585 3407739 0 0 29088 1092382 1092382 86824 73801 5209 7814 445527 380771 24293 40463 96546 68548 10620 17378 38808 27554 4269 6985 21192 7417 13775 6825 2389 4436 12977 9214 1427 2336 7539 7344 195 5170 3768 773 629 38846 21997 11272 5577 756 537 83 136 10542 10101 167 274 20513 14564 2257 3692 17170 12191 1888 3091 Programming & supplies 892088 861232 277 30579 Dues and subscriptions 19569 19081 185 303 Miscellaneous 17098 17098 Board/staff development 12548 9846 1024 1678 10965 4459 5376 1130 2853885 2627196 104429 122260 19808 710284 416256 648171 324938 639545 96432 116072 8612 7591 509915 335274 160108 174641 597363 642396 1623517 2938700 30722 34814 458155 1171345 18632 13128 507509 1219287 X 1060270 1357433 55738 361980 1116008 1719413 1623517 2938700 X 553854 49620 -69 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 1846433 1498468 1267254 1352359 3378651 9343165 1846433 1498468 1267254 1352359 3378651 9343165 9343165 35017 27859 4573 5403 4503 77355 7920 7920 9428440 0.99100 0.98590 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 334337 231200 103137 175578 104074 71504 174641 Assets held by others 564492 Life insurance cash surrender value 64776 Operating lease right of use assets 13128 642396 Operating lease liability 13128 13128 X 3873591 49620 503247 552867 3320724 87015 87015 3407739 3270186 503316 503316 2766870 87015 87015 2853885 Part X, Line 2: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 740, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, clarified the accounting for the recognition and measurement of uncertainties in income taxes recognized in an entity's financial statements and prescribes a threshold of more likely-than-not for recognition of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The United Way's policy is to evaluate the likelihood that its uncertain tax positions will prevail upon examination based on the extent to which those positions have substantial support within the Internal Revenue Code and Regulations, Revenue Rulings, court decisions and other evidence. Part XI, Line 2d - Other Adjustments: In kind contributions 503,247. Part XI, Line 4b - Other Adjustments: Designated donations 87,015. Part XII, Line 2d - Other Adjustments: Gift in kind expense 503,316. Part XII, Line 4b - Other Adjustments: Designated donations 87,015. 1 2-1-1 UWNC 211 Program 1130 Kildaire Farm Road Cary NC 27511 560564547 9302 0 Service grant General support Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project 306 West Haywood St Ste 200 Asheville NC 28801 061642769 15000 0 Allocations and Helene support General support Aspire Youth & Family Inc 123 Action Circle Ste B Asheville NC 28806 300466165 13000 0 Allocations and Helene support General support Back on Track Addiction Ministry 1900 Spartanburg Hwy Hendersonville NC 28793 850811305 10385 0 Food pantry grant General support Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC 50 S French Broad Ave 213 Asheville NC 28801 581505917 20894 0 Allocations, designations and Helene support General support Boys & Girls Club of Henderson Co PO Box 1460 Hendersonville NC 28793 561803125 54207 0 Allocations, designations and Helene support General support Caja Solidaria 316 Chadwick Ave Hendersonville NC 28792 873887309 11190 0 Food pantry grant General support Calvary Episcopal Church Food Pantry PO Box 187 Fletcher NC 28732 611657546 24601 0 Allocations, food pantry grant, designations and Helene support General support Children & Family Resource Center 851 Case Street Hendersonville NC 28792 562113878 41446 0 Allocations, designations and Helene support General support Council on Aging - Meals on Wheels 105 King Creek Boulevard Hendersonville NC 28792 560936674 17200 0 Allocations and Helene support General support Crossnore 1410 Greenville Hwy Hendersonville NC 28792 560567980 15750 0 Allocations, designations and Helene support General support Education Foundation of Hend County PO Box 1267 Hendersonville NC 28793 581734733 7117 0 Designations General support El Centro 508 N Grove Street Hendersonville NC 28792 562267574 10000 0 Food pantry grant General support First Baptist Church Hendersonville - Love's Kitchen Food Pantry 312 5th Ave West Hendersonville NC 28739 560559096 10385 0 Food pantry grant General support First Baptist Church of East Flat Rock Food Pantry PO Box 305 Hendersonville NC 28726 566099950 10385 0 Food pantry grant General support Habitat for Humanity 1111 Keith Street Hendersonville NC 28792 561642263 17897 0 Allocations, designations and Helene support General support Henderson County Rescue Squad 2529 Asheville Hwy Hendersonville NC 28791 237011493 43000 0 Allocations, resiliency grant and Helene support General support Hola Carolina 801 4th Avenue East Hendersonville NC 28792 822943079 11190 0 Food pantry grant General support Hope Coalition 301 N Justice Street Hendersonville NC 28739 861730600 13005 0 Allocations, designations and Helene support General support Hope UMC - Welcome Table 2443 Spartanburg Hwy East Flat Rock NC 28726 561639560 10385 0 Food pantry grant General support Housing Assistance PO Box 2057 Hendersonville NC 28793 581831757 227500 0 Allocations, Helene support, urgent needs housing grant General support Interfaith Assistance Ministry PO Box 2562 Hendersonville NC 28793 581556963 55472 0 Helene support, emergency fund grant General support Literacy Connection aka Blue Ridge PO Box 1728 Hendersonville NC 28793 561691110 44050 0 Allocations, designations and Helene support General support Manna Food Bank 99 Broadpointe Drive Mills River NC 28759 581514800 35360 0 Allocations, designations and Helene support General support Medical Loan Closet 1225 7th Avenue E Hendersonville NC 28792 262933780 14601 0 Allocations, designations and Helene support General support Mountain Care PO Box 5956 Asheville NC 28813 562005198 16293 0 Allocations, designations and Helene support General support Only Hope WNC PO Box 394 Hendersonville NC 28739 453751833 10385 0 Food pantry grant General support On Track - Affordable Housing Srvc 50 South French Boulevard 227 Asheville NC 28801 561056077 13474 0 Allocations, designations and Helene support General support Pan De Vida PO Box 451 Horse Shoe NC 28742 854202565 11190 0 Food pantry grant General support Pisgah Legal Services PO Box 2276 Asheville NC 28802 561191115 41024 0 Allocations, designations and Helene support General support Safelight 317 N Washington Street Hendersonville NC 28739 561469847 43820 0 Allocations, designations and Helene support General support Salvation Army 239 Third Avenue East Hendersonville NC 28792 580660607 10385 0 Food pantry grant General support Sixth Avenue Psychiatric Rehab 121 3rd Avenue West Ste 1 Hendersonville NC 28792 205599815 32021 0 Allocations, designations and Helene support General support Smart Start Partnership for Children 525 N Justice St Hendersonville NC 28739 562092325 23628 0 Allocations, designations and Helene support General support St Gerard Center for Autism 727 Oakland Street Hendersonville NC 28791 450948760 15500 0 Allocations and Helene support General support St Paul's Episcopal Church Community Food Pantry PO Box 170 Edneyville NC 28727 562229747 10385 0 Food pantry grant General support The Free Clinics 841 Case Street Hendersonville NC 28792 562212024 27765 0 Allocations, designations and Helene support General support The Mediation Center 50 S French Broad Avenue Ste 258 Asheville NC 28801 561424025 13000 0 Allocations and Helene support General support The Storehouse PO Box 6146 Hendersonville NC 28793 010787966 11190 0 Food pantry grant General support True Ridge 204 6th Avenue West Hendersonville NC 28739 821094679 10000 0 Commuinity services support grant, Helene support General support Vocational Solutions of Henderson C 2110 Spartanburg Highway East Flat Rock NC 28726 560897854 10000 0 Designations General support WNC Source PO Box 685 Hendersonville NC 28793 560846319 19000 0 Allocations and Helene support General support Woven Nonprofit Corporation 320 Oak Street Kingston Springs TN 37082 994058377 30000 0 Commuinity services support grant, Helene General support Part I, Line 2: Henderson County United Way (HCUW) monitors grants and assistance provided via an allocations process. A HCUW panel reviews grant applications and determines the agency and/or programs to be funded. Once approved for allocated funding, the agency and/or program reports throughout the end of the payout year and a valuation of the agency and/or program and its outcomes are reviewed by the allocation panels at the end of the cycle. Form 990, Part III, Line 4a Solutions are complicated. It takes all of us, working together, to make lasting and sustainable improvements. Our core infrastructure and stability have proven to be essential for our community nonprofit partners while also enabling us to collate and share accurate, up to date information for our neighbors in need. We provide leadership and support across multiple community coalitions, including the Early Childhood Taskforce, Emergency Food and Shelter Program, Partnership for Health, Henderson County ACEWs, Resilience & Trauma Collaborative (HART), and Nonprofit CEO and Staff Forums. We are grateful for the nonprofit organizations, individuals, and businesses whose collective support makes our work possible. Loyal support from our Tocqueville, Ochlawaha, and residential donors help us make our community a better and brighter place for all. Women United, a leadership affinity group, connects and engages women who want to make a significant impact in our community. These dynamic, passionate, and community-minded women provide essential funding and volunteer support and were the driving force behind the creation of Girls EMpowered. Our corporate partners provide essential funding through workplace giving, corporate gifts, sponsorships, and creative give-back opportunities. Small businesses play a critical role by contributing to Henderson County's growing economy, providing necessary services, and developing community connections. Our Small Business League connects philanthropically minded business owners with a way to make a big local impact. UWHC is in the final year of Henderson County 2025 (HC2025), a ten-year plan created by, for, and with our community. The HC2025 Impact Goals are to: (1) increase kindergarten readiness and support school success for underserved children; (2) improve economic self-sufficiency and increase access to affordable housing; (3) improve physical activity and nutrition among residents and encourage healthy youth behaviors; and (4) provide basic needs and crisis services for neighbors in need. Through strategic investments and cross-sector collaboration, we are advancing solutions that lead to lasting change. In 2026, we are engaging residents and partners in developing HC30 Community Impact Strategies through inclusive listening sessions and a community survey. This process will identify emerging needs, address service gaps, and co-create a forward-looking plan rooted in community voice and shared vision. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11b The return was prepared by an independent accountant with assistance and oversight from management. A copy of the Form 990 was provided to the entire Board prior to the filing date. The return was presented at the Board meeting by the auditing firm and the independent accountant. After Board review the 990 was filed. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c A new conflict of interest document is presented to each board member at the beginning of each board year. It is signed and submitted by each member. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 15a The Organization follows the process described in Regulation Sec 53.4958(6)(c) for establising the rebuttable presumption of reasonableness in the determination of the exceutive director's compensation. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 Governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements are available upon request at the administrative office. The Form 990 is posted on our website, Guidestar and available upon request. Part VII, Section A Michelle Tracz shows compensation of $3,050. The organization wants readers to know that this was pay for software setup and not for being a board member. Form 990, Part XI, line 9: Difference between gift in kind income and expense -69.