United Way of Skagit County

What United Way of Skagit County does

United Way of Skagit County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization (EIN 91-0755705) headquartered in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, with a Burlington mailing address, serving Skagit County for over 60 years. The organization functions as a community-impact platform rather than a technology product company, operating a portfolio of free social-service programs including the Diaper Bank of Skagit County, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (early literacy), My Free Taxes, Varsity in Volunteerism (youth service recognition), Financial Prosperity Pathway, the Skagit Pocket Community Housing Project, Disaster Response, Skagit Long-Term Recovery Group, and VOAWW Connect (community resource referrals). The organization holds Candid Platinum Transparency 2024 and United Way Thumbs Up Certification, and relies on no proprietary technology platform, operating its website on Wix and processing donations through the third-party qgiv.com portal.

The organization generates revenue exclusively through individual and corporate donations — both one-time and recurring — with donors able to designate contributions to specific programs such as the Disaster Response Fund, Skagit Long-Term Recovery Group Fund, or general operations. United Way states that 99% of donated funds are reinvested directly into the local community and that every dollar stays local. It does not sell to enterprise customers; instead, it serves a hybrid "customer base" of community beneficiaries (children, low-income families, disaster survivors, volunteers) receiving free services, and donors and grant-makers funding operations. Service delivery is executed primarily through partner organizations: the Diaper Bank operates via a 13+ agency distribution network, disaster recovery is coordinated through the Skagit Long-Term Recovery Group under United Way's fiscal sponsorship, and housing referral services are channeled through Volunteers of America Western Washington's call center.

The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors (April Patterson, Chair; Roger Elton, Vice Chair; Eric Hull, Secretary; plus members Jill Rohrs, Dane Mergens, Peter Browning, Celeste Mergens) and led by Executive Director Andrew Miller. It employs approximately 6 staff members and deploys an extensive volunteer workforce for last-mile service delivery. Its go-to-market model is community-led: mobilizing donors, volunteers, and nonprofit, faith, and government partners to address local needs in youth opportunity, healthy community, financial security, and community resiliency, with marketing handled through a website, organic social channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), an email newsletter, an original podcast ("Impact Chats"), and integration with the JustServe volunteer platform.

Name

United Way of Skagit County

Legal name

United Way of Skagit County

Website

https://unitedwayskagit.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

United Way of Skagit County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Skagit County, Washington for over 60 years, operating free programs including the Diaper Bank, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, My Free Taxes, disaster response, and the Skagit Pocket Community housing initiative, funded by individual and corporate donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Emergency and Other Relief Services (62423), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC), Financial Assistance & Benefits Navigation Services (BPAGAEAK), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Disaster recovery coordination
• Early childhood literacy
• Volunteer mobilization
• Nonprofit community programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Sedro-Woolley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual and corporate donations solicited through website, events, and community outreach. One-time and monthly gift options available. Every dollar stays local according to organization messaging.
2. Designated/Restricted Gifts: Donors can designate contributions to specific programs such as Disaster Response Fund, Skagit Long-Term Recovery Group Fund, or general operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

United Way of Skagit County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that mobilizes community resources, volunteers, and donations to deliver free social service programs to Skagit County, Washington residents. The organization operates direct-service programs including a diaper and baby essentials bank, early childhood book distribution, free tax filing assistance, youth volunteer recognition, financial education workshops, cooperative tiny-cabin housing for the unhoused, and disaster response plus long-term recovery coordination. Services are funded primarily through individual and corporate donations, designated/restricted gifts, and partner-network contributions, with 99% of donated funds directed into local community programs.

Product overview

United Way of Skagit County operates as a community services organization offering multiple social impact programs rather than a technology product platform. The portfolio includes the Diaper Bank of Skagit County, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for early literacy, My Free Taxes for tax assistance, Varsity in Volunteerism for youth engagement, Financial Prosperity Pathway for financial education, United for Housing for shelter solutions, Disaster Response and Skagit Long Term Recovery for emergency services, VOAWW Connect for resource referrals, and the Impact Chats Podcast for community awareness. These programs are delivered through community partnerships and direct services, with no unified technology platform or software product structure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Diaper Bank of Skagit County: A program managed by United Way of Skagit County since July 2021, distributing diapers and baby essentials to families in need across Skagit County.
• Skagit Pocket Community Housing Project
• Skagit Long Term Recovery Group
• Varsity in Volunteerism
• My Free Taxes
• Financial Prosperity Pathway
• Impact Chats Podcast
• VOAWW Connect

Products and services

• Diaper Bank of Skagit County A diaper and baby essentials distribution program that provides clean diapers to families in need across Skagit and Island Counties through a network of partner organizations; managed by United Way since July 2021.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library A free book-gifting program for children from birth to age 5 that delivers age-appropriate books monthly directly to homes in Skagit County, fostering early childhood literacy; books and updates available in English and Spanish.
• My Free Taxes A free tax filing assistance service staffed by IRS VITA-certified specialists who help Skagit County residents file taxes safely and easily through connected software and a Helpline for tax-related questions and troubleshooting.
• Varsity in Volunteerism (ViV) A school-based program for high school students that celebrates community service, offering the opportunity to earn a varsity letter in volunteerism upon completing 100 hours of community service; led by United General District 304 with United Way support.
• Financial Prosperity Pathway Financial health workshops offered in partnership with Community Action of Skagit County to help community members build financial skills and knowledge; part of the Community in Action Skagit County initiative.
• Financial People Project Financial education program offering easy-to-follow lessons for kids and adults, available online or by mail, helping community members build confidence with personal finances.
• United for Housing (Skagit Pocket Community) A cooperative housing initiative featuring 24 tiny cabin units designed to provide long-term, community-rooted housing solutions for residents facing housing insecurity, using the HomesNOW resident-governed model with 26 additional donated cabins.
• Disaster Response Emergency response services that coordinate volunteers, distribute supplies, connect survivors with resources, and support partner agencies during disasters such as flooding, severe storms, wildfires, and landslides in Skagit County.
• Skagit Long Term Recovery A collaborative network coordinated by United Way as fiscal sponsor and Chair, organizing nonprofit organizations, faith communities, businesses, and volunteers through specialized subcommittees to help individuals and families recover after disasters.
• VOAWW Connect A free, confidential community service referral program operated through Volunteers of America Western Washington, providing information on local resources such as housing assistance, food resources, transportation, and Coordinated Entry for both Skagit and Snohomish counties.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% of donated funds invested directly into local community programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Dolly Parton's Imagination LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership provides free age-appropriate books to children birth through age 5 in Skagit County. Books are delivered monthly to homes, starting with 'The Little Engine That Could'. On their 5th birthday, children receive a special letter from Dolly Parton and graduate with 'Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!'. Books and updates available in English and Spanish.
• Volunteers of America Western Washington (VOAWW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVOAWW Connect call center provides free confidential community resource referrals for Skagit and Snohomish counties. Services include housing assistance, food resources, transportation, and connections to local service providers. VOA Connect team can connect those experiencing housing insecurity with Coordinated Entry for both counties.
• Community Action of Skagit CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Action of Skagit County operates the Skagit Food Distribution Center where all Diaper Bank supplies are securely stored and centrally managed. This centralized hub allows distribution partners to efficiently get diapers into families' hands.
• HomesNOW (Homes Now in Bellingham)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomesNOW provides the cooperative community-based management model for Skagit Pocket Community Housing Project. 26 tiny cabins (valued at $150,000) were donated from a successful HomesNow village in Bellingham, WA. United Way is implementing HomesNOW's proven resident-governed model where members share costs, hold regular meetings, and take joint responsibility for maintenance.
• United General District 304coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership for Varsity in Volunteerism (ViV) program that empowers high school students to earn a varsity letter in volunteerism by completing 100 hours of community service. United General District 304 leads the ViV program while United Way provides support. Also a distribution partner for Diaper Bank serving District 304 families.
• Diaper Bank Distribution PartnersmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor13 partner organizations distribute diapers to families in need across Skagit and Island Counties including: Brigid Collins (Mount Vernon), Didgwalic Wellness Center (Anacortes), Mother Mentors (Oak Harbor), Opportunity Council (Oak Harbor), Skagit/Island Head Start, Skagit Valley Neighbors in Need, Northwest Youth Services, Helping Hands Food Bank (Sedro Woolley), Mount Baker Presbyterian Church (Concrete), YouthNet, O.U.R., and First United Methodist Church (Mt Vernon).
• MyFreeTaxesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMyFreeTaxes Helpline connects Skagit County residents with IRS VITA-trained call specialists who help with tax filing questions and troubleshooting. The program provides free tax filing software and volunteer assistance for residents to file taxes safely and easily.
• Skagit Long-Term Recovery Group (SLTRG) PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative network of nonprofit organizations, faith communities, businesses, government agencies, and community volunteers working together for disaster recovery. Operates through specialized subcommittees: Steering Committee, Unmet Needs Committee, Communications and Outreach Committee, Construction Committee, Volunteer Coordination Committee, and Connections/Resources Committee. United Way serves as fiscal sponsor and Chair.
• Community in Action Skagit CountymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Financial Health Workshops providing financial education resources in collaboration with Community Action of Skagit County.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Skagit Community Foundation: Direct peer: a Skagit County-based community foundation offering donor-directed grantmaking and community impact initiatives, competing for the same local donor dollars and serving overlapping nonprofit capacity-building roles.
• United Way of Pierce County: Direct peer: another Washington-state United Way affiliate with similar donor-funded community services portfolio, operating under the same national United Way standards and certification requirements.
• United Way of Snohomish County: Direct peer: another Washington-state United Way affiliate serving Snohomish County with comparable programs in housing stability, basic needs, early childhood education, and disaster response, and even shares the VOAWW Connect referral partnership with United Way of Skagit County.
• Community Action of Skagit County: Direct peer: a Skagit County antipoverty agency that operates the Food Distribution Center (where Diaper Bank supplies are stored) and co-runs Financial Prosperity Pathway workshops; it is both a key partner and a direct provider of overlapping social services.
• United Way of Whatcom County: Direct peer: a neighboring Pacific Northwest United Way affiliate serving Whatcom County with a similar portfolio of donor-funded community programs including disaster recovery, housing, and family support, operating on the same United Way branding and certification standards.

Regional players

• Whatcom Community Foundation: Regional player: a neighboring county community foundation offering grantmaking and donor-advised funds, competing with United Way of Skagit County for regional philanthropic dollars and providing comparable community-impact programs.
• Volunteers of America Western Washington: Regional peer/strategic partner: a larger social services nonprofit that operates the VOAWW Connect call center used by United Way of Skagit County; overlaps in housing navigation, veteran services, and behavioral health across Western Washington.

Broad incumbents

• United Way of King County: Broad incumbent: the largest Washington-state United Way affiliate, headquartered in Seattle, with a much broader geographic footprint and program portfolio in housing, food, education, and financial stability; serves as the regional benchmark for smaller affiliates like Skagit.
• Salvation Army Northwest Division: Broad incumbent: a much larger national faith-based social services organization providing overlapping basic-needs, disaster response, housing, and family support programs across the Pacific Northwest, including Skagit County.

Emerging players

• HomesNOW: Emerging player/strategic partner: a Bellingham-based nonprofit pioneering cooperative tiny-cabin communities; United Way of Skagit County is replicating its HomesNOW model for the Skagit Pocket Community Housing Project, making it both a partner and a comparable emerging community-housing provider.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@unitedwayskagit
• Facebookfacebook.com/unitedwayskagit
• Instagraminstagram.com/unitedwayofskagitcounty
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-way-of-skagit-county

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about United Way of Skagit County