Cedar Valley United Way
Cedar Valley United Way is a nonprofit organization based in Waterloo, Iowa, founded in 1923. The organization operates as a community resource organizer and problem-solver, leveraging financial contributions, community expertise, in-kind contributions, and partnerships to create impact in the Cedar Valley region. The organization employs a staff of 5-8 people and maintains a unique fund distribution and community planning process that engages community members and experts to assess community needs and evaluate program effectiveness.
Key facts about Cedar Valley United Way
- EIN
- 42-0801846
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,341,063
- Grants made (2024)
- 38
- Average grant
- $35,291
- Median grant
- $20,077
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (11 of 38, 2024)
- Total assets
- $2,684,031
- Primary geography
- Iowa (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Cedar Valley United Way funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Cedar Valley United Way's 38 itemized 2024 grants were Iowa (99%). The most frequent recipient cities were Waterloo, IA (27 grants), Des Moines, IA (4 grants) and Cedar Falls, IA (4 grants). None of its 38 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support and Donor Designations" (23 grants) and "Program Support" (14 grants).
Is Cedar Valley United Way open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 38 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $23K; repeat grants $40K. How we count
Medians: $21K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 66% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−16%). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Cedar Valley United Way
- How to evaluate Cedar Valley United Way as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.7M
+17.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.3M
+0.0% YoY
Grant Count
38
+18.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$35K
-15.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Leveraging resources to help people, change lives, and make your community investment count throughout the Cedar Valley.
Vision: To be the leader in building caring and vital relationships throughout the greater Cedar Valley region to produce results, gather and disperse community resources, and yield measurable impact.
Cedar Valley United Way focuses on three primary building blocks for a good life:
Education: Directing resources so children are prepared to succeed in school, young people graduate from high school, and young adults make successful transitions from high school to work life.
Income & Financial Stability: Promoting financial stability and self-sufficiency for individuals and families.
Health: Encouraging healthy behaviors that empower individuals to reduce substance abuse, child abuse, and domestic violence. The organization emphasizes preventative healthcare, including maternal health and infant well-being, and seeks improved access to mental health services.
Grantmaking
Cedar Valley United Way distributes grants to nonprofit organizations and programs aligned with its focus areas. Based on recent filings:
Review Cycle
The organization employs a rigorous evaluation process where volunteers and staff assess the extent of community need and verify each agency and program's ability to provide effective solutions. Grant decisions are made through careful planning to ensure resources go where they will do the most good.
Ready to take the next step with Cedar Valley United Way?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Cedar Valley United Way primarily funds in Iowa, with some activity noted in Georgia. The organization serves the greater Cedar Valley region, which includes communities in the Waterloo and Cedar Falls area.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 38 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2023-2024):
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,684,031 |
| Total Revenues | $2,030,666 (2023) |
| Total Expenses | $2,204,037 (2023) |
| Total Giving | $1,371,765 (2024) |
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) organization; tax-exempt since December 1957; EIN: 42-0801846
Rating: Four-Star charity with a 100% score on accountability and finance metrics.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,684,031 | $2,293,494 | $2,712,729 |
| Revenue | $2,577,151 | $2,030,666 | $2,043,635 |
| Expenses | $2,115,798 | $2,204,037 | $2,393,181 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $77,628 | $66,578 | $48,752 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
177 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Cedar Valley United Way
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Allen Hospital ($283,632), Successlink ($111,000), Peoples Community Health Clinic ($92,392).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALLEN HOSPITAL Waterloo, IA | PROGRAM SUPPORT AND DONOR DESIGNATIONS | $283,632 |
| SUCCESSLINK Waterloo, IA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $111,000 |
| PEOPLES COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC Waterloo, IA | PROGRAM SUPPORT AND DONOR DESIGNATIONS | $92,392 |
| OPERATION THRESHOLD Waterloo, IA | PROGRAM SUPPORT AND DONOR DESIGNATIONS | $77,829 |
| GRIN & GROW LTD Waterloo, IA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $64,700 |
| SALVATION ARMY Waterloo, IA | PROGRAM SUPPORT AND DONOR DESIGNATIONS | $61,642 |
| 1619 FREEDOM SCHOOL Waterloo, IA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $55,000 |
| CEDAR VALLEY FRIENDS OF THE FAMILY Waterloo, IA | PROGRAM SUPPORT AND DONOR DESIGNATIONS | $48,914 |
| RIVERVIEW CENTER INC Waterloo, IA | PROGRAM SUPPORT AND DONOR DESIGNATIONS | $40,270 |
| IOWA JAG INC Des Moines, IA | PROGRAM SUPPORT AND DONOR DESIGNATIONS | $38,162 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Debbie Roth: President
- Sheila Baird: Sr. Director of Community Investments
The organization has a history of engaging community leaders through its Campaign Chair program, which has included prominent business and nonprofit leaders from the Cedar Valley.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debbie Roth | President | 40 | $94,503 |
| Steve Carignan | Chair | 1 | — |
| Dr Lucas Cook | Past Chair | 1 | — |
| Nathan Miller | Vice Chair | 0.5 | — |
| Michelle Meany | Treasurer | 0.5 | — |
| Heather Bishop | Secretary | 0.5 | — |
| Erica Parks | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Cody Stoppel | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Gwenne Berry | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Anne Britson | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Teresa Driscall | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Gretchen Steuer | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Marty Hannig | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Jaclyne Heller | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Joshua Horstman | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Donna Kitrick | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Amy Schmidt | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Jeremia Matz | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Sandi Sommerfelt | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Quoradis Marshall | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Andrew Richter | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Amy Rousselow | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Vincent Collis | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Dana Grovo | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Denelle Gonnerman | Former Director | 0.5 | — |
| Anne Knudtson | Former Director | 0.5 | — |
| Jill Mejia | Former Director | 0.5 | — |
| Steve Bernard | Former Director | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Cedar Valley United Way announced $1.3 million in grants awarded for the 2025-2026 grant cycle
Cedar Valley United Way announces $1.3 million in grants awardedThe organization announced investments in health programs
CEDAR VALLEY UNITED WAY ANNOUNCES INVESTMENTS IN HEALTH PROGRAMS | CedarCedar Valley United Way achieved a record campaign in recent years
Cedar Valley United Way announces $1.3 million in grants awardedGrant funding applications have been solicited with deadlines in February
United Way grant funding applications due by Feb. 26Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cedar Valley United Way fund?
**Mission:** Leveraging resources to help people, change lives, and make your community investment count throughout the Cedar Valley. **Vision:** To be the leader in building caring and vital relationships throughout the greater Cedar Valley region to produce results, gather and disperse community resources, and yield measurable impact. Cedar Valley United Way focuses on three primary building blocks for a good life: • **Education:** Directing resources so children are prepared to succeed in sc…
How do I apply for a grant from Cedar Valley United Way?
Cedar Valley United Way distributes grants to nonprofit organizations and programs aligned with its focus areas. Based on recent filings: • **Total giving (2024):** $1,371,765 • **Typical award range:** $5,037–$298,068 • **Recent major announcement:** Cedar Valley United Way announced $1.3 million in grants awarded for the 2025-2026 grant cycle The organization employs a rigorous evaluation process where volunteers and staff assess the extent of community need and verify each agency and program…
Where does Cedar Valley United Way make grants?
Cedar Valley United Way primarily funds in Iowa, with some activity noted in Georgia. The organization serves the greater Cedar Valley region, which includes communities in the Waterloo and Cedar Falls area.
What size grants does Cedar Valley United Way award?
In 2024, Cedar Valley United Way awarded 38 grants totaling $1.3M — an average of about $35K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Cedar Valley United Way's EIN?
Cedar Valley United Way's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-0801846. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cedar Valley United Way's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.