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UNITED WAY OF TOMPKINS COUNTY INC

ITHACA, NY · EIN 150572883 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE T70Z · Philanthropy & Grantmaking · Medium ($1M-$10M)
revenue
$1.4M
expenses
$1.6M
net assets
$1.2M
employees
10
volunteers
79
program ratio
81%
mission · from form 990

OUR MISSION IS TO STRENGTHEN LIVES BY MOBILIZING THE CARING POWER OF OUR COMMUNITY.

profile · synthesized from sources

United Way of Tompkins County strengthens lives by mobilizing community resources to support local residents in need. The organization delivers direct services and funds partner agencies across key human service areas, including food security, emergency assistance, and volunteer coordination. It operates in Ithaca, NY, leveraging donor-designated contributions and community partnerships to address local challenges.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $162K
    COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS THROUGH DIRECT SUPPORT PROGRAMMING: UWTC'S COMMUNITY IMPACT THROUGH DIRECT SUPPORT PROGRAMMING BRINGS UWTC STAFF TOGETHER WITH VOLUNTEERS, AGENCIES, AND BUSINESSES TO HELP MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY STRENGTHEN THEIR LIVES. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE UW/2-1-1 ALICE PROGRAM, THE 2-1-1 CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM, URGENT RX, AND EMERGENCY FOOD DELIVERIES. THESE INVESTMENTS DIFFER FROM GRANTS IN THAT THEY ALL ARE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES PROVIDED DIRECTLY TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM UWTC STAFF AND COLLABORATING PARTNERS.
  2. #2 $302K
    COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS THROUGH DESIGNATIONS TO SPECIFIC AGENCIES: UWTC FUNDS PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY ANY 501C3 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WHO IS COMPLIANT WITH THE PATRIOT ACT BASED ON DONOR DESIGNATIONS TO SAID AGENCIES.
named programs · 8 · from sources

What they call their work

2-1-1 Continuum of Care Program
Coordinates care for vulnerable populations by linking them with health and social services via the 2-1-1 system
Asset Building Efforts
Supports financial stability and wealth-building for low-income residents through coaching and resource access
Emergency Food Deliveries
Delivers food to individuals and families facing immediate food insecurity, often in partnership with local agencies
Student Engagement
Engages students in service learning and volunteer opportunities to build civic responsibility
T. Merrell Shipherd Flexible Fund
Offers flexible financial assistance for urgent needs such as utilities, rent, and transportation to prevent homelessness
UW/2-1-1 ALICE Program
Connects low-income individuals and families to essential services including housing, food, and healthcare through a 2-1-1 helpline
Urgent Rx
Provides emergency prescription assistance to individuals who cannot afford critical medications
Volunteer Center
Mobilizes community volunteers to support local nonprofits and community initiatives
activities · 14 groups

What they do

  • Church and Congregation-Based Financial Aid 2 activities
    • Funding safe and affordable housing initiatives
      Funds programs that support individuals in obtaining and maintaining safe, affordable housing, including transitional living homes and shelter services for survivors of violence.
    • Mini-grant program for basic-need expenses in Tompkins County
      Provides mini-grants of up to $500 per qualified household in Tompkins County to address urgent basic-need expenses such as utilities and food.
  • Policy Advocacy & Research 1 activity
    • Advocacy for policy and systems reform
      Advocates for improvements in public systems by being the first United Way in New York State to sign onto a letter calling for reforms to contracting and reimbursement processes.
  • Fundraising for Community and Charitable Initiatives 1 activity
    • Annual community fundraising campaign
      Raises funds annually through a community campaign to support United Way of Tompkins County programs and services for the upcoming fiscal year.
  • General Operating Support Grants 1 activity
    • Biennial grantmaking to community organizations
      Awards grants on a two-year cycle to nonprofit organizations in Tompkins County that address community-identified priorities such as health, education, and financial stability.
  • Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
    • Connecting volunteers with community organizations
      Organizes volunteer opportunities and initiatives such as the Day of Action to connect individuals with local nonprofits and increase community impact.
  • Neighborhood Civic Engagement 1 activity
    • Convening collaborative groups for community problem-solving
      Convenes cross-sector collaborative groups (“tables”) in Tompkins County to identify community needs and develop coordinated local solutions.
  • Capital Infrastructure Funding 1 activity
    • Funding community infrastructure and operational improvements
      Provides grants for equipment, technology, and facility upgrades to improve service delivery by local nonprofits, including phone systems, washer-dryer sets, printers, tablets, and outdoor maintenance tools.
  • Agricultural Grantmaking and Funding Programs 1 activity
    • Funding emergency food and nutrition programs
      Funds programs that provide nutritious meals and food components to food-insecure residents, including support for food pantries, winter meal disruptions, holiday distributions, and access to fresh produce via CSA models.
  • Mental Health Research and Services Funding 1 activity
    • Funding mental and physical health care access
      Funds programs that enable individuals to receive immediate or ongoing quality physical and mental health care, including clinical services, trauma-informed counseling, and mental health first responder training.
  • Pharmacy Access and Medication Assistance 1 activity
    • Funding prescription vouchers and health insurance navigation for uninsured individuals
      Provides free prescription vouchers and outreach follow-up to uninsured individuals with urgent health needs through designated healthcare sites, while also offering information on obtaining health insurance and stable healthcare.
  • Fundraising and Financial Support for IDD Services 1 activity
    • Funding transportation services for vulnerable populations
      Funds transportation programs that provide accessible rides for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals to access healthcare, employment, education, and other essential services.
  • Summer Camp Access Scholarships 1 activity
    • Funding youth development and safe spaces
      Funds programs that provide safe environments for children and youth to promote healthy development, including after-school programs, leadership initiatives, and spaces for students of color to advocate for equity.
  • LGBTQ+ and Community-Based Educational Scholarships 1 activity
    • Youth-led grantmaking programs
      Engages high school students in grantmaking through programs such as the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative and FOCUS at Dryden Middle and High School, awarding $25,000 annually through a competitive grant cycle and $2,000 for local student-led projects, fostering leadership and community engagement.
  • Uncategorized 2 activities
    • Pass-through funding for donor-designated organizations
      Directs all donor-designated contributions to support local mission-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Tompkins County.
    • Reactivation of United Way/2-1-1 ALICE Program for emergency utility and heating assistance
      Reactivated the United Way/2-1-1 ALICE Program in November 2025 to assist households in Tompkins County facing utility shut-offs or lack of heating fuel due to disruptions in state assistance programs, providing direct emergency support.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.35M
Contributions & grants$1.23M91%
Program service revenue$5K0%
Investment income$92K7%
Other revenue$24K
expenses
Total expenses$1.55M
Program expenses81%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$528K
Grants paid out$867K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.27M
Cash$245K
Investments$582K
Liabilities$68K
Net assets$1.20M
Liquid reserves6.4 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -15.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
GAIL BELOKUR CHIEF DEVELOPMENT & OPERATING OFFICER 38 $110K
MICHAEL RAMOS PRESIDENT & CEO 38 $108K
board members · 18
  • ALEX ADELEWITZ — BOARD MEMBER
  • CHRIS THOMAS — BOARD MEMBER
  • DAVID EVELYN MD — BOARD MEMBER
  • DELMER PADGETT — BOARD MEMBER
  • DEVAN ACCARDO — BOARD MEMBER
  • DOMINICK RECCKIO — BOARD MEMBER
  • DUCSON NGUYEN — BOARD MEMBER
  • FOULA DIMOPOULOS — BOARD MEMBER
  • JR CLAIRBORNE — IMMEDIATE PAST BOARD CHAIR
  • KAMI DRAKE — BOARD MEMBER
  • KATHY SCHLATHER — BOARD MEMBER
  • KELLYANN O'MARA — BOARD MEMBER
  • KEVIN MIETLICKI — TREASURER
  • MICHAEL PEREHINEC — BOARD CHAIR
  • MYRIAH MARNELL — VICE CHAIR
  • OMAR STOUTE — BOARD MEMBER
  • PATRICIA STAGE — BOARD MEMBER
  • SUSAN RILEY — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 115

Who they work with

  • 2-1-1 Continuum of Care Program Partner — Collaborative partner in delivering community support services.
  • 2-1-1 Tompkins/Cortland Partner — Partnered through the UW/2-1-1 ALICE Program to assist households with utility and heating costs during benefit delays.
  • Advocacy Center of Tompkins County Partner — Receives funding from United Way of Tompkins County to provide services for survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence.
  • Advocacy Center of Tompkins County Partner — Receives grant funding from United Way of Tompkins County for the 24/7 Hotline project.
  • Alternatives Federal Credit Union Partner — Cornerstone Partner that underwrites administrative costs of United Way of Tompkins County
  • Arnold Printing Corporation Partner — Cornerstone Partner that underwrites administrative costs of United Way of Tompkins County
  • BJM Enrichment Program Partner — Receives funding from United Way of Tompkins County to operate an after-school academic and enrichment program for elementary students.
  • Beginnings Credit Union Partner — Cornerstone Partner that underwrites administrative costs of United Way of Tompkins County
  • Beginnings Credit Union Partner — Partnered to host a free Shred Day for local nonprofits.
  • BorgWarner Partner — Cornerstone Partner that underwrites administrative costs of United Way of Tompkins County
  • Brooks Family Foundation Partner — Community partner in the Urgent Rx Prescription Program.
  • CSP Management Partner — Cornerstone Partner that underwrites administrative costs of United Way of Tompkins County
  • Cargill, Inc. Partner — Cornerstone Partner that underwrites administrative costs of United Way of Tompkins County
  • Catholic Charities Tompkins/Tioga Partner — Receives funding from United Way of Tompkins County to support emergency services and transitional housing for homeless women.
  • Catholic Charities Tompkins/Tioga Partner — Receives grant funding from United Way of Tompkins County for transportation assistance programs.
  • Cayuga Health Partner — Partner organization that co-hosted a health screening event with the YMCA Food Hub to provide health services to community members.
  • Cayuga Health System Partner — Cornerstone Partner that underwrites administrative costs of United Way of Tompkins County
  • Cayuga Landscape Partner — Cornerstone Partner that underwrites administrative costs of United Way of Tompkins County
  • Cayuga Medical Center Partner — Eligible patients treated at Cayuga Medical Center sites receive vouchers through the Urgent Rx program.
  • Cayuga Sunrise Farm Partner — Cornerstone Partner that underwrites administrative costs of United Way of Tompkins County
  • Chemung Canal Trust Company Partner — Cornerstone Partner that underwrites administrative costs of United Way of Tompkins County
  • Child Development Council Partner — Receives funding from United Way of Tompkins County to provide family support and capacity-building for childcare providers.
  • Civic Ensemble Partner — Receives funding from United Way of Tompkins County to run theater programs for youth and formerly incarcerated individuals.
  • Civic Ensemble Partner — Receives grant funding from United Way of Tompkins County for the Beloved Artistic Community Meet Up program.
  • Community Bank Partner — Cornerstone Partner that underwrites administrative costs of United Way of Tompkins County
  • Community School of Music and Arts Partner — Collaborates with the Community School of Music and Arts to promote administrative volunteer roles.
  • Community School of Music and Arts Partner — Receives funding from United Way of Tompkins County to provide accessible arts education for people of all ages and backgrounds.
  • Cornell Cooperative Extension Partner — Partner organization collaborating with The Learning Web to offer parenting programs and apprenticeships for parent leaders.
  • Cornell University Partner — Cornerstone Partner that underwrites administrative costs of United Way of Tompkins County
  • Cornell University’s State Policy Advocacy Clinic Partner — Collaborated to provide training on state policy advocacy for local organizations.
+ 85 more
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • ALICE Framework for Expanded Financial Eligibility
    methodology: ALICE framework
    By using the ALICE framework to extend financial assistance to asset-limited, income-constrained households above poverty level, we produce more inclusive support because it recognizes the hidden financial strain of working families who fall through traditional safety net gaps.
  • Collective Impact through Cross-Sector Collaboration
    methodology: collective_impact
    By funding and collaborating with mission-aligned organizations across sectors, we produce community-wide change because coordinated action amplifies resources, aligns goals, and creates sustainable solutions beyond what any single entity can achieve.
  • Community-Led Grantmaking with Youth Engagement
    methodology: youth-led-grantmaking
    By engaging youth as decision-makers in grantmaking, we produce deeper civic engagement and more responsive funding priorities because experiential learning fosters leadership and ensures community needs are identified by those closest to them.
  • Crisis Response via Strategic Partnerships
    methodology: crisis-response-partnership
    By leveraging partnerships with 2-1-1 and the ALICE Program, we produce timely emergency assistance during public benefit disruptions because coordinated networks enable rapid identification and response to emerging community needs.
  • Two-Generational Approach to Poverty Alleviation
    methodology: two-generational_approach
    By addressing both immediate human needs and systemic barriers to economic security, we produce sustainable poverty reduction because meeting short-term needs creates stability while long-term interventions build pathways out of poverty.