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.
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.
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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
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 | — | — | — |
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
1 open opportunity from Cedar Valley United Way
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
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 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
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
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Barbara Jean Couturier Charitable T
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Total Given
—
The Joseph Andres Family Foundation
OKOBOJI, IA
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—
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Lohse Family Foundation
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Vande Brake Family Foundation
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Assets
$172K
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6
Total Given
$47K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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