United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties Inc.
Live United
Mission
United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties seeks to create long-lasting change in our communities by addressing our community’s greatest needs in the areas of income, health, and education, providing opportunities to improve the quality of life for at least 40% of our counties' residents.
Notes from the nonprofit
United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties changed its fiscal year in 2018. Previously, our fiscal year began July 1 through June 30. In 2018, we changed to a calendar year. As a result, we filed a 6-month Form 990 ending Dec 31, 2018. While the form showed a loss, it was due to the fact that our receipts usually occur in February. The short fiscal year did not have this income.
Ruling year
1967
CEO
Monica Wofford
Main address
32644 Blossom Lane
Leesburg, FL 34788 USA
EIN
59-1143758
NTEE code
Fund Raising and/or Fund Distribution (P12)
Community, Neighborhood Development, Improvement (S20)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2021, 2020 and 2019.
Register now
Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) families are hardworking individuals who live below the basic cost of living for our area. They constitute 36% of our counties' residents. When unexpected emergencies arise, they often struggle to afford basic necessities, such as rent, food, health insurance, and transportation costs. United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties exists to serve these hardworking but financially strained individuals. We provide a variety of services, such as case management, rent/mortgage/utility assistance, transportation to medical appointments for Veterans, early education improvement, scholarships for ALICE women, and financial education.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Health Initiative
The United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties Health Initiative demonstrates our commitment to improve the health of our community by working with community agencies to provide access to food, discount prescriptions, and free or low-cost dental services.
2-1-1
The 2-1-1 Program is the Lake and Sumter County social services referral system linking individuals to the agencies and programs that can help them. United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties is the sole funder for the 2-1-1 program. United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties contracts with the Heart of Florida United Way to provide our 2-1-1 services, thus saving the costs of equipment, rent, staff, etc. 2-1-1 operates 24/7/365 without charge to the individuals calling or to the agencies providing service. We have also introduced TEXT211 to provide another way residents can access assistance.
VITA Free Income Tax Assistance
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program provides free tax preparation for citizens whose income is less than $60,000 a year. The tax preparation is provided by IRS-trained volunteers. The VITA program is open to all individuals and families making under $60,000 per year, and it helps them receive all possible refunds.
Master Teacher
United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties loans our Master Teacher to private VPK centers to provide 160 hours of on-the-job training for teachers, leading to improved instruction for students. On top of this, United Way connects teachers to the federal Teach program to provide college scholarships for early childhood teachers.
Pathways to Success
Pathways to Success provides scholarships for technical skills training to help improve one's financial stability. UWLS partners with Lake Tech College, Southern Technical College, and Sumter County Adult Education to provide GED training and Career in a Year job skills training.
Mission United
Mission United is a United Way program of United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties. While Mission United is dedicated to serves those who have served, it also provides a personal touch that many of the Veterans Affairs options are simply unable to accommodate, often due to capacity. Our Mission United team’s primary role is to help Veterans navigate the system of benefits available, whether by providing those options directly or by connecting our Veterans to a resource for any of the following services: employment services, legal assistance, education, financial stability, health care, and stability housing. Our program also provides financial assistance to alleviate food and housing needs on an as-needed basis.
Family Stability Services
Through the Family Stability Services program, ALICE individuals and households work with our social worker to secure monetary assistance in times of crises to pay their rent, mortgage, or utility bills. We follow the Florida Housing Finance Corporation’s guidelines to determine individuals' eligibility for low- or moderate-income assistance. This assistance is provided only once per year. Our social worker also provides referrals to other community organizations that can further assist ALICE households in crisis to stabilize and stay on their feet.
Where we work
Awards
Excellence 2016
United Way World Wide
Excellence 2017
United Way World Wide
Excellence 2018
United Way World Wide
Affiliations & memberships
United Way Member Agency 1967
External reviews
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Food Delivery for Seniors
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Seniors
Related Program
Health Initiative
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Many senior citizens in Lake and Sumter Counties are homebound and do not have nutritious meals. United Way, LovExtension, and North Lake Presbyterian Church deliver meals.
Number of tax returns prepared by VITA volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Economically disadvantaged people, Veterans
Related Program
VITA Free Income Tax Assistance
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance prepares tax returns for low-income families for free, helping them receive Earned Income Tax Credits and refunds for financial stability.
Amount of Tax Preparation Fees Saved
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Economically disadvantaged people, Veterans
Related Program
VITA Free Income Tax Assistance
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
VITA clients saved an average of $200 per tax return prepared by IRS-certified United Way volunteers.
Amount of Food Distributed (in pounds) by United Way Partners
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Adolescents, Adults
Related Program
Health Initiative
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Number of pounds of food distributed to the food insecure population in Lake and Sumter Counties in partnership with Faith Neighborhood Center and LovExtension.
Number of people served by United Way food pantries
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Adults, Seniors
Related Program
Health Initiative
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Number of food insecure people served in Lake and Sumter Counties.
Total number of volunteer hours contributed to the organization
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Adults, Seniors
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Volunteer hours dropped significantly in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Family Wize Prescription Discount Savings
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Adults, Seniors
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Amount of Prescription Dollars Saved
Number of Veterans who received case management and/or financial assistance
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Veterans
Related Program
Mission United
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Veterans receive case management to help them navigate the complex system of benefits of the Veterans Administration. They also receive financial assistance with food and/or housing needs.
Number of families assisted with rent/mortgage/utility bills to avoid eviction
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Low-income people, Working poor
Related Program
Family Stability Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Families receive once-annual assistance to help them stabilize when unexpected emergencies arise.
Number of toddlers and preschoolers who received improved early learning instruction
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Infants and toddlers, Children
Related Program
Master Teacher
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
These students' teachers receive guidance from our Master Teacher to enhance instruction. Decreases from 2019 to 2020 are due to the COVID-19 pandemic during which schools temporarily closed.
Number of hours of supervision and guidance that teachers received
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children, Infants and toddlers
Related Program
Master Teacher
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
These teachers work in early learning centers. The decrease in hours from 2019 to 2020 is due to the COVID-19 pandemic during which schools temporarily closed.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
1. Children are ready to enter school and are successful in primary school.
2. Individuals/families have access to affordable health services to improve their health.
3. Individuals/families improve their socio-economic status.
4. Veterans receive the benefits they have earned.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Childhood Success: Engage volunteers and train workers to provide quality early childhood education and enroll children in high-quality early childhood education.
Access to Health: Initiate the United for Health program to enhance access to mental health, dental, and school physical services.
Financial Stability: Provide access to financial assistance and training, leading to better job opportunities for all.
Veterans: Provide case management specific to Veterans, and provide transportation to medical appointments at the VA.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Childhood Success: UWLS has partnerships with early learning centers throughout Lake and Sumter Counties to provide guidance and instruction.
Access to Health: We are currently in the process of initiating this program.
Financial Stability: UWLS has a staff of four case managers who assist over 1,000 households with rent/mortgage/utility assistance each year.
Veterans: Our Mission United case manager is a Veteran himself with connections with the VA and various Veteran service organizations throughout the community.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties serves those most in need in our two counties. In 2020, we helped secure $2,061,142 in rent/mortgage/utility payments for our residents. We had our first-ever food drive, and we served 1,679 children and families throughout the year. In 2021, we added new services, such as our Mission United Transportation program for Veterans and our Stronger Families program which provides education on topics such as budgeting and improving credit scores.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
-
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
-
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We act on the feedback we receive
-
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties Inc.
Board of directorsas of 02/22/2022
Dr. Laura Byrd
Lake Sumter State College
Term: 2022 - 2025
Ellen Didion
Sumter Sunshine Community Foundation
Karen Hogans
Lake Sumter State College
Emily Madak
Retail
Laura Byrd
Ex Dir LSSC Foundation
Laura Senzamici
Real Estate
Adrian Manley
Pastor and Therapist
Heath Nailos
Attorney
Gene Kanikovsky
CFO, SECO
B.E. Thompson
Director of Development, LifeStream Behavioral
Beth Thompson
Retail
Connie Mahan
Real Estate
Ken Gates
Energy Industry (Retired)
Michael Herrera
Saint Leo University
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.
Equity strategies
Last updated: 02/21/2022GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
Thanks for signing up!
An email has been sent to the address you provided. Click on the link in that email to get more GuideStar Nonprofit Profile data today!
(Don't see an email in your inbox? Click here to resend it.)
GuideStar Pro Reports
Report successfully added to your cart!
Want more data?
A GuideStar Pro report containing the following information is available for this organization:
- Email contact information
- Financial trends metrics for five most recent years 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2018*
- Financial statements for 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2013
- Letter of Determination
- Officer and/or Employee data for 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2018
- Contractor and/or Paid Preparer data for 2021, 2020, 2019
- Board of Directors data for 2022
- *with the ability to download the data for 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2018
Download it now for $125.
Need the ability to download nonprofit data and more advanced search options?Consider a Pro Search subscription.