Cedar Valley United Way
Cedar Valley United Way is a Waterloo, Iowa-based public charity that funds local programs and works with community partners to address community needs, including the root causes of poverty. Founded in 1923, it describes its role as a convener, resource organizer, and community problem-solver.
Cedar Valley United Way at a glance
In short: Cedar Valley United Way gave $1.3M across 38 grants in 2024 (avg $35K), mostly in Iowa. 26% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,341,063
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 38
- +18.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $35,291
- -15.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,077
- Total assets
- $2,684,031
- +17.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (10 of 38, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Iowa (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Cedar Valley United Way
- Review Cycle
- FY2027 program applications are due **February 26, 2026, by 4:00 p.m.** The Social Innovation Investments listing describes review as rolling and gives no deadline.
- Deadline
- FY2027 program applications are due February 26, 2026, by 4:00 p.m.
- Contact
Mailing address: 425 Cedar Street 300, Waterloo, IA 50701
Phone: (319) 235-6211
Website: https://cedarvalleyunitedway.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Cedar Valley United Way
Who Cedar Valley United Way funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Allen Hospital ($284K). Together the top 10 received $874K.
Grant Size Distribution
177 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 137 grants of 177 (77%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s Strategic Investments eligibility rules require applicants to serve residents within a 30-mile radius of Waterloo. In 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Iowa and 1% to recipients in Georgia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 38 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Cedar Valley United Way open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 38 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $23K; repeat grants $40K. How we count
Medians: $21K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 68% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−16%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.3M (2023) to $1.7M (2020). In 2024 it made 38 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| 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 |
Ready to take the next step with Cedar Valley United Way?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Amounts below are reported by filing year.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,684,031 | $2,577,151 | $2,115,798 | $1,341,063 | 38 | $77,628 |
| 2023 | $2,293,494 | $2,030,666 | $2,204,037 | $1,340,980 | 32 | $66,578 |
| 2022 | $2,712,729 | $2,043,635 | $2,393,181 | $1,538,469 | 33 | $48,752 |
| 2021 | $3,032,668 | $2,661,747 | $2,483,779 | $1,595,120 | 35 | $37,392 |
| 2020 | $2,808,649 | $2,097,107 | $2,430,132 | $1,695,793 | 39 | $35,727 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is “Uniting our community to empower individuals and families to thrive.” Its stated focus areas are education, income or financial stability, and health. Its investment priorities include early education and learning, workforce development and financial stability, health access and healthy behaviors, and emergency assistance for immediate needs.
The grantees it supported in 2024 illustrate the range of organizations receiving funding. For example, Peoples Community Health Clinic describes its mission as providing access to affordable, compassionate, high-quality health care; Grin & Grow describes its work as providing a safe, nurturing early childhood program regardless of income; and Operation Threshold says it helps meet basic needs and create opportunities for self-sufficiency.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Cedar Valley United Way reported 38 grants totaling $1,341,063. Grant amounts ranged from $5,037 to $283,632, with a median of $20,076.
The largest reported grants included $283,632 to Allen Hospital for program support and donor designations, $111,000 to SuccessLink for program support, $92,392 to Peoples Community Health Clinic for program support and donor designations, and $77,829 to Operation Threshold for program support and donor designations. Other notable awards included $64,700 to Grin & Grow and $55,000 to 1619 Freedom School, both for program support.
For FY2027, applications are submitted online. Strategic Investments applicants must serve residents within a 30-mile radius of Waterloo, have 501(c)(3) status or an eligible fiscal sponsor, be governed or advised by a volunteer board, and measure outcomes in a priority area. The stated requirements also include bi-annual measurement and reporting; programs serving children or youth in the Waterloo or Cedar Falls school districts must partner with SuccessLink for data collection. Emergency & Basic Needs applicants must meet similar geographic, tax-status, and board requirements, and serve people facing economic hardship who live below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. That category considers requests of $10,000 to $75,000 for specified short-term services such as food, shelter, rental or utility assistance, and help removing other immediate barriers to safety or work. Social Innovation grants are described as a roughly $50,000 pool, reviewed on a rolling, per-need basis.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Debbie Roth as president; Steve Carignan as chair; Dr. Lucas Cook as past chair; Nathan Miller as vice chair; Michelle Meany as treasurer; and Heather Bishop as secretary. It also lists Erica Parks, Cody Stoppel, Gwenne Berry, and Anne Britson as directors.
Cedar Valley United Way is led by Debbie Roth, President on every filing since 2022; 1 of 28 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Debbie Roth
President
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$83K (2022) → $95K (2024)
Steve Carignan
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anne Britson
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Donna Kitrick
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erica Parks
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gwenne Berry
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jaclyne Heller
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeremia Matz
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joshua Horstman
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marty Hannig
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sandi Sommerfelt
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Teresa Driscall
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Richter
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Quoradis Marshall
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Rousselow
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Schmidt
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cody Stoppel
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dana Grovo
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gretchen Steuer
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vincent Collis
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anne Knudtson
Former Director
Director → Former Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Denelle Gonnerman
Former Director
Director → Former Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Heather Bishop
Secretary
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jill Mejia
Former Director
Chair → Past Chair, 2023
Past Chair → Former Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lucas Cook
Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nathan Miller
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Bernard
Former Director
Director → Former Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Meany
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (45)
- Former: Catherine Freeman (2022–2023) — Former Director
- Former: Christopher Larimer (2022–2023) — Former Director
- Former: David Harris (2022–2023) — Former Director
- Former: Mersiha Mustedanagic (2022–2023) — Former Director
- Former: Stephanie Mohorne (2022–2023) — Former Director
- Former: Tom Blanford (2022–2023) — Former Director
- Former: Erica St John (2023) — Director
- Former: Baird Sheila (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Bruce Meisinger (2022) — Former Director
- Former: John Berry (2022) — Former Director
- Former: Ryan Scmitt (2022) — Former Director
- Former: Wayne Frost (2022) — Former Director
- Former: Barnard Steve (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Berry John (2020–2021) — Past Chair
- Former: Bishop Heather (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Blanford Thomas (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Britson Anne (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Carignan Steve (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Cook Lucas (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Darrah Steve (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Driscoll Teresa (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Freeman Catharine (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Frost Wayne (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Gibson Allison (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Harris David (2020–2021) — Chair
- Former: Kitrick Donna (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Knudtson Anne (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Larimer Christopher (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Matz Jeremiah (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Meija Jill (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Meisinger Bruce (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Miller Nathan (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Schmit Ryan (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: St John Erica (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Mohorne Stephanie (2021) — Director
- Former: Ambrecht Sue (2020) — Director
- Former: Cleveland Nick (2020) — Former Director
- Former: Eckhoff Cal (2020) — Former Director
- Former: Einsweiler Cheryl (2020) — Director
- Former: Howard Ryan (2020) — Director
- Former: Leyh Mark (2020) — Former Director
- Former: McCalla Brad (2020) — Director
- Former: Miller Lori (2020) — Former Director
- Former: Thomas Tara (2020) — Director
- Former: Weekley Angela (2020) — Former Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $95K, to Debbie Roth (President).
Frequently asked questions about Cedar Valley United Way
How much does Cedar Valley United Way give each year?
Cedar Valley United Way gave $1.3M across 38 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.3M across 32 grants.
What is Cedar Valley United Way's typical grant size?
Cedar Valley United Way's median grant in 2024 was $20,077, and its average grant was $35,291, across 38 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Cedar Valley United Way that year got $23K on average.
Where does Cedar Valley United Way give grants?
Cedar Valley United Way gives mostly in Iowa: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Waterloo, IA (27 grants), Des Moines, IA (4 grants) and Cedar Falls, IA (4 grants).
Does Cedar Valley United Way give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 38 grants with a stated purpose on Cedar Valley United Way's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support and Donor Designations" (23 grants) and "Program Support" (14 grants).
Who are Cedar Valley United Way's largest grantees?
Cedar Valley United Way's largest 2024 grantees include Allen Hospital ($283,632), Successlink ($111,000) and Peoples Community Health Clinic ($92,392), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Cedar Valley United Way?
Cedar Valley United Way reported $2.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.6M.
What does Cedar Valley United Way fund?
The organization’s mission is “Uniting our community to empower individuals and families to thrive.” Its stated focus areas are education, income or financial stability, and health. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Cedar Valley United Way?
Cedar Valley United Way has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check cedarvalleyunitedway.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
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.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 3, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 8, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Cedar Valley United Way funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cedar Valley United Way's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Cedar Valley United Way funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/cedar-valley-united-way-morg_b6ac3b8c2d734394bc3f85ea96cf561e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_420801846_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Cedar Valley United Way funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/cedar-valley-united-way-morg_b6ac3b8c2d734394bc3f85ea96cf561e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Cedar Valley United Way's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Cedar Valley United Way down — hundreds of funders to go?