Great Rivers United Way Inc
Great Rivers United Way Inc is a public charity based in Onalaska, Wisconsin, formed in 1954. It brings people and resources together to improve lives and strengthen communities, including through grants to local programs and partnerships addressing community needs.
Great Rivers United Way Inc at a glance
In short: Great Rivers United Way Inc gave $639K across 25 grants in 2025 (avg $26K), mostly in Wisconsin. 36% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $638,833
- -27.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 25
- -7.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $25,553
- -21.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $18,918
- Total assets
- $3,068,109
- +4.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (9 of 25, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Great Rivers United Way Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 1855 East Main Street, Onalaska, WI 54650
Phone: (608) 796-1400
Website: https://gruw.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Great Rivers United Way Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Great Rivers 2-1-1 ($61K). Together the top 10 received $412K.
Grant Size Distribution
135 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 102 grants of 135 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing describes a six-county area for its community-needs assessment: Houston County, Minnesota, and Buffalo, La Crosse, Monroe, Trempealeau, and Vernon counties in Wisconsin. In 2025, 97% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin and 3% to recipients in Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Great Rivers United Way Inc open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 9 of 25 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $29K. How we count
Medians: $16K first-time, $30K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $639K (2025) to $1.5M (2020). In 2025 it made 25 grants totaling $639K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Great Rivers 2-1-1 Onalaska, WI | Restricted Grants | $60,672 |
| Family Promise of the Great Rivers Sparta, WI | Restricted Grants | $45,004 |
| New Horizons Shelter La Crosse, WI | Restricted Grants | $44,536 |
| CIA Siab Inc La Crosse, WI | Restricted Grants | $43,062 |
| CASA for Kids Inc Onalaska, WI | Restricted Grants | $41,923 |
| Wafer La Crosse, WI | Restricted Grants | $40,000 |
| Couleecap Inc Westby, WI | Restricted Grants | $39,545 |
| Family & Children's Center La Crosse, WI | Restricted Grants | $37,186 |
| Hunger Task Force of La Crosse La Crosse, WI | Restricted Grants | $31,370 |
| Salvation Army La Crosse, WI | Restricted Grants | $29,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,068,109 | $2,865,577 | $2,983,918 | $638,833 | 25 | $136,289 |
| 2024 | $2,942,381 | $3,256,724 | $2,881,909 | $875,328 | 27 | $35,744 |
| 2023 | $3,082,102 | $3,009,173 | $3,262,976 | $884,387 | 27 | $28,833 |
| 2022 | $3,320,949 | $2,449,809 | $2,402,144 | $1,005,136 | 28 | $4,067 |
| 2021 | $3,290,456 | $2,415,023 | $2,417,237 | $1,112,724 | 28 | $3,917 |
| 2020 | $3,477,988 | $2,994,777 | $2,750,187 | $1,465,128 | 29 | $5,386 |
| 2019 | $3,284,443 | $2,345,029 | $2,491,798 | $1,327,468 | 27 | $5,342 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization states its mission is “to unite people and resources to improve lives and strengthen our communities.” Its vision is for individuals and families in its communities to reach their full potential through education, income stability, and healthy lives.
Its filing describes a fund distribution program in which volunteers, with staff support, review and allocate annual pledge-drive funds to 43 programs at 28 local partner agencies. The programs are expected to address identified community needs, track outcomes, and achieve positive results in community mental wellbeing and basic needs. Other described work includes the Community Care Program, which supports partner agencies employing community health workers in La Crosse, Jackson, and Monroe counties, and data-driven community problem-solving efforts.
The grantees’ own mission statements illustrate the kinds of organizations supported. Family Promise of the Great Rivers describes its work as helping homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence through shelter and other services. WAFER says it provides food and works to eliminate hunger; Couleecap says it fights poverty and promotes self-sufficiency, economic development, and social justice. CIA SIAB describes its mission as providing culturally empowering advocacy and holistic support to the Hmoob community.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Great Rivers United Way reported 25 grants totaling $638,833. Grant amounts ranged from $6,965 to $60,672, with a median of $18,918.
Among the largest reported grants were $60,672 to Great Rivers 2-1-1; $45,004 to Family Promise of the Great Rivers; $44,536 to New Horizons Shelter; $43,062 to CIA SIAB; $41,923 to CASA for Kids; $40,000 to WAFER; $39,545 to Couleecap; $37,186 to Family & Children’s Center; $31,370 to Hunger Task Force of La Crosse; $29,000 to Salvation Army; $23,678 to Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council; and $22,943 to Karuna.
The filing says restricted-grant recipients undergo pre-screening, including an application explaining the proposed use and outcome measures, a financial review, and verification of Patriot Act compliance and 501(c)(3) status. Community members review this information annually. Recipients are required to verify how funds were used and report actual results compared with proposed results. The filing also says organizations receiving donor-designated funds are pre-screened.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Holly Blanchard as board chair and Kim Bauer as vice chair. It also lists Todd Anthony, Jerry Arndt, Carolyn Bostruck, Julie Christensen, Shantel Hartzell, Andrea Hauser, Brenda Leahy, and Angela Newman as board members.
Great Rivers United Way Inc is led by Mary Kay Wolf, Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2019); 2 of 21 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mary Kay Wolf
Executive Director
Executive Di → Exeuctive Director, 2023
Exeuctive Director → Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$85K (2019) → $112K (2025)
Holly Blanchard
Board Chair
Board Member → Board Vice Chair, 2024
Board Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Hackbarth
Finance Director
Treasurer → Finance Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$7K (2024) → $85K (2025)
Isaac Zickert
Board Member
Board Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2024
Board Chair → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Josh Oeltjen
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Angela Newman
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carolyn Bostrack
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Christensen
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kim Bauer
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd Anthony
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brenda Leahy
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nick West
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tonya Wagner
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Hauser
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerry Arndt
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shantel Hartzell
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Thicke
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tony Saarem
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Engel
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Kleiber
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dani Stuhr
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (35)
- Former: Julie Reynertson (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Brad Weber (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Kayleigh Day (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Jan Henry (2023–2024) — Finance Director
- Former: Andrew Fjerstad (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Mike Klauke (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Randy Nelson (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Brent Dwyer (2022–2023) — Finance Director
- Former: Bryan Erdmann (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Alex Lueck (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Betsy Morgan (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Lorie Fredrickson (2019–2022) — Finance
- Former: Margarita Van Nuland (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Rob Palmberg (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Tara Johnson (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Mary Ellen McCartney (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Bobbi Schoh (2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Chief Shawn Kudron (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Brad Goetz (2019–2021) — Board Past C
- Former: Cheryl Dutton (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Donna Bossman (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Kari Reyburn (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Neil Kamrowski (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Todd Rodeberg (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Tom Miskowski (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Megan Eddy (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Cate Hollowitsch (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Hunter Johnson (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Jen Rombalski (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Roger Thornton (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Eric Erickson (2019) — Board Past C
- Former: Gary Rudy (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Katie Drury (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Matt Boschka (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Rose Ann Laureto (2019) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $112K, to Mary Kay Wolf (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Great Rivers United Way Inc
How much does Great Rivers United Way Inc give each year?
Great Rivers United Way Inc gave $639K across 25 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $875K across 27 grants.
What is Great Rivers United Way Inc's typical grant size?
Great Rivers United Way Inc's median grant in 2025 was $18,918, and its average grant was $25,553, across 25 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Great Rivers United Way Inc that year got $19K on average.
Where does Great Rivers United Way Inc give grants?
Great Rivers United Way Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were La Crosse, WI (17 grants), Onalaska, WI (3 grants) and Sparta, WI (2 grants).
Does Great Rivers United Way Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on Great Rivers United Way Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Restricted Grants" (25 grants).
Who are Great Rivers United Way Inc's largest grantees?
Great Rivers United Way Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Great Rivers 2-1-1 ($60,672), Family Promise of the Great Rivers ($45,004) and New Horizons Shelter ($44,536), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Great Rivers United Way Inc?
Great Rivers United Way Inc reported $3.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.9M.
What does Great Rivers United Way Inc fund?
The organization states its mission is “to unite people and resources to improve lives and strengthen our communities.” Its vision is for individuals and families in its communities to reach their full potential through education, income stability, and healthy lives. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Great Rivers United Way Inc?
Great Rivers United Way Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check gruw.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Great Rivers United Way Inc's EIN?
Great Rivers United Way Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-0848188. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 21, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 8, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 27, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 23, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 29, 2024)
Live grants for the work Great Rivers United Way Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Great Rivers United Way Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Great Rivers United Way Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/great-rivers-united-way-inc-morg_19788fef175a4b249ca23de67159645d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_390848188_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Great Rivers United Way Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/great-rivers-united-way-inc-morg_19788fef175a4b249ca23de67159645d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Great Rivers United Way Inc'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.
Great Rivers United Way Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?