Mile High United Way Inc
Mile High United Way Inc is a public charity based in Denver, Colorado. It supports nonprofit organizations and community efforts addressing human services needs in Metro Denver, with work focused on children’s development and education, basic needs, and economic opportunity.
Mile High United Way Inc at a glance
In short: Mile High United Way Inc gave $24.3M across 314 grants in 2025 (avg $77K), mostly in Colorado. 39% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $24,258,122
- +98.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 314
- -31.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $77,255
- +190.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,026
- Total assets
- $80,192,324
- +14.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 39% first-time grantees (122 of 314, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (94% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Mile High United Way Inc
- How to Apply
-
The 2025–2027 Strategic Investment Grants cycle used an online application and Zoom application meetings. The posted application deadline has passed.
- Contact
Mailing address: 711 Park Avenue West, Denver, CO 80205
Phone: (303) 433-8383
Website: https://unitedwaydenver.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Mile High United Way Inc
Who Mile High United Way Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was St Vrain Valley School District ($2.0M). Together the top 10 received $8.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
3,443 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 3,063 grants of 3,443 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Mile High United Way states that it works in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties in Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 314 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Mile High United Way Inc open to new grantees?
39%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 122 of 314 grantees (39%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $87K; repeat grants $71K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $20K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $12.2M (2024) to $33.1M (2021). In 2025 it made 314 grants totaling $24.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| St Vrain Valley School District Denver, CO | Other, Sig | $2,001,772 |
| Western States College of Construct Denver, CO | OTHER | $1,012,024 |
| Assoc General Contractors of CO Trinidad, CO | OTHER | $860,297 |
| Colorado River Boces Georgetown, CO | OTHER | $793,218 |
| African American Trade Association Denver, CO | OTHER | $726,590 |
| Activate Work Inc Frisco, CO | OTHER | $669,615 |
| Trinidad State College Denver, CO | OTHER | $651,656 |
| Colorado Mesa University Foundation Denver, CO | OTHER | $641,400 |
| Denver Hybrid College DBA Advanceed Englewood, CO | OTHER | $599,113 |
| Colorado Education Initiative Denver, CO | OTHER | $584,254 |
Ready to take the next step with Mile High United Way Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $80,192,324 | $43,438,168 | $43,084,034 | $24,258,122 | 314 | $2,901,321 |
| 2024 | $70,028,359 | $31,239,265 | $30,683,899 | $12,218,574 | 459 | $955,941 |
| 2023 | $61,130,897 | $32,551,577 | $34,297,700 | $15,644,414 | 574 | $2,052,855 |
| 2022 | $62,814,897 | $36,182,511 | $33,651,072 | $12,901,508 | 371 | $4,284,559 |
| 2021 | $67,575,176 | $73,410,543 | $55,566,947 | $33,089,889 | 1,725 | $1,201,307 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mile High United Way’s mission is to unite people, ideas, and resources to advance the common good. Its website identifies three interconnected community priorities: giving all children a strong start, supporting education and academic success, and creating economic opportunity for all. For its 2025–2027 Strategic Investment Grants cycle, it also specified priorities of early childhood education, out-of-school-time programming, and basic-needs services, including access to housing, food, legal services, and tax preparation.
The organization’s 2024 filing describes grantmaking across four initiatives: giving all children a strong start, Reading Matters, developing tomorrow’s talent, and creating economic opportunity for all. It also describes internal community-impact services, including technical assistance and programmatic support for nonprofit agencies.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate a range of work. Clear Creek County Advocates describes its services as advocacy, education, crisis intervention, and support for people affected by abuse. Tennyson Center for Children describes its work as helping children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or trauma through community-based and day-treatment school programs. Colorado Education Initiative says its mission is to empower Colorado leaders to strengthen public education and support young people’s futures.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Mile High United Way reported 314 grants totaling $24,258,122. Grant amounts ranged from $5,022 to $2,001,772, with a median of $15,026. Ninety-four percent of grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado; the remaining reported shares went to recipients in New Jersey and Missouri (2% each), and New York and Connecticut (1% each).
Among the largest reported 2025 grants were $2,001,772 to St. Vrain Valley School District, $1,012,024 to Western States College of Construct, and $860,297 to the Association of General Contractors of Colorado. Other large awards included $793,218 to Colorado River BOCES and $726,590 to the African American Trade Association.
The Strategic Investment Grants program is described on the organization’s website as its flagship competitive grantmaking program for eligible nonprofits in the seven-county Metro Denver area. For the 2025–2027 cycle, the application required online financial, organizational overview, and demographic information, followed by a Zoom application meeting. The posted deadline was March 3, 2025, at 5 p.m. Mountain Time; this was a past cycle. The website stated that final selections would be made by the board of trustees, with funding for the first year beginning after grant agreements were completed. Funding for the second year was to be considered through a noncompetitive renewal process based on organization performance and fund availability.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Christine Benero as CEO, James Treichler as COO, Vanecia Kerr as CIO, Eric Artis as chief human resources officer, Michael Burke as CFO, and Chelsea Carver as CDO. It also lists Keith Woodell as database architect and Kathy Ambrose, Tatiana Arguello, and Greg Bante as trustees.
Mile High United Way Inc is led by Christine Benero, CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2021); 7 of 56 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Christine Benero
CEO
CEO → Chief Executive Officer, 2022
Chief Executive Officer → CEO, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$358K (2021) → $424K (2025)
Neil Oberfeld
Board Chair
Secretary → Trustee, 2024
Trustee → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Beth Opperman
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carlos Pacheco
Trustee
Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2023
Board Chair → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Hance
Trustee
Chair → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christina Dorfhuber
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deron Brown
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ethan Rojhani
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Greg Bante
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason Maples
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Ambrose
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Neher
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maggie Dehn
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rodd Merchant
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Beiser
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tonette Salazar
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alice Yake Jackson
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Blaine Versaw
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martin Mahalchick
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mashenka Lundberg
Trustee
Treasurer → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd Filsinger
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alexis Denis
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Fitzpatrick
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Damon Barry
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Kranz
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robin Ricketts
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tatiana Arguello
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Teresa Van De Bogart
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brook Kramer
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Derek Longwell
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Enid Wade
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Hodgson
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marty Ruffalo
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sterling Leboeuf
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Veronica Figoli
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anish Michael
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dorian Brugger
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jamie Gard
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jd Keller
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Noble
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kent Berke
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lori Fox
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Goldberg
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maureen McDonald
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Megan McRae
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Monica Sasakura
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Trudi Boyd
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chelsea Carver
CDO
Chief Development Officer → CDO, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$122K (2021) → $157K (2025)
James W. Treichler
COO
Chief Operations Officer → COO, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$140K (2021) → $171K (2025)
Eric Artis
Chief Hr Officer
Chief Human Resources Officer → Chief Hr Officer, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$111K (2022) → $161K (2025)
Michael Burke
CFO
Chief Financial Officer → CFO, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$130K (2022) → $159K (2025)
Vanecia Kerr
CIO
Chief Impact Officer → CIO, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$142K (2022) → $159K (2025)
Keith Woodell
Database Arc
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$141K (2025)
Diane Garcia
Vice Chair
Trustee → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Douglas Dell
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Helen Drexler
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (43)
- Former: Carrie Hudak (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Christopher McDonald (2021–2024) — Vice Chair
- Former: Erik Mitisek (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Geoffrey Keys (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Jim Holder (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Mark Belfance (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Michael Ramseier (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Steve Lake (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Vernon Irvin (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Carol Waddell (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Charles Johnson (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Lee Gash-Maxey (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Ryan Frazier (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Dawn Rocky (2024) — Vice President Philanthr
- Former: Dan Lewis (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: David Hammond (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Felicity Oherron (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Gina Nocera (2021–2023) — Vice President Community · Filing note: Thru 123
- Former: Greg Anton (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Kevin Patterson (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Matt Cornwell (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Patrina Pettry (2021–2023) — Trustee & Thr
- Former: Fran Campbell (2022–2023) — Trustee & Thr
- Former: Everette Freeman (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Gene Hodge (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Mary McBride (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Mike Ferrufino (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Renny Fagan (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Timi Aguilar (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Tricia Allen (2021–2022) — Vice President Community Impact
- Former: Barry Amman (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Charles Ozaki (2021) — Trustee
- Former: David Eves (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Deb Smith (2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Jerene Petersen (2021) — Chief Impact Officer
- Former: Jo-Ann Scharmann (2021) — CFO & Interim CIO
- Former: Julie Wolf (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Linda Brisnehan (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Mark Everett (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Mike Burke (2021) — CFO
- Former: Richard Lewis (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Steve Topalian (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Tamra Ward (2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $424K, to Christine Benero (CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Mile High United Way Inc
How much does Mile High United Way Inc give each year?
Mile High United Way Inc gave $24.3M across 314 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $12.2M across 459 grants.
What is Mile High United Way Inc's typical grant size?
Mile High United Way Inc's median grant in 2025 was $15,026, and its average grant was $77,255, across 314 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Mile High United Way Inc that year got $87K on average.
Where does Mile High United Way Inc give grants?
Mile High United Way Inc gives mostly in Colorado: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (202 grants), Aurora, CO (5 grants), Longmont, CO (5 grants) and Colorado Springs, CO (4 grants).
Does Mile High United Way Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 314 grants with a stated purpose on Mile High United Way Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Desig" (115 grants), "Other" (107 grants) and "Sig, Desig" (46 grants).
Who are Mile High United Way Inc's largest grantees?
Mile High United Way Inc's largest 2025 grantees include St Vrain Valley School District ($2,001,772), Western States College of Construct ($1,012,024) and Assoc General Contractors of CO ($860,297), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 16% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Mile High United Way Inc?
Mile High United Way Inc reported $80.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $43.4M.
What does Mile High United Way Inc fund?
Mile High United Way’s mission is to unite people, ideas, and resources to advance the common good. Its website identifies three interconnected community priorities: giving all children a strong start, supporting education and academic success, and creating economic opportunity for all. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Mile High United Way Inc?
The 2025–2027 Strategic Investment Grants cycle used an online application and Zoom application meetings. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Mile High United Way Inc's EIN?
Mile High United Way Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-0404235. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 28, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 21, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work Mile High United Way Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Mile High United Way Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
El Pomar Foundation
Colorado Springs, CO
El Pomar Foundation funds Colorado nonprofits and government agencies working in arts and culture, civic and community initiatives, education, health, and human services, including operating, program, and capital needs. Typical awards are $2,500–$10,000 for operating or program support and $15,000–$25,000 for capital support. It accepts online applications on a rolling basis through its competitive process and designated funds.
Assets
$468.2M
Grants
1
Total Given
$20.4M
The Colorado Trust
Denver, CO
The Colorado Trust funds health equity and the health and well-being of Coloradans, with current priorities in food, housing, and mental and behavioral health; its grantmaking is statewide in Colorado. Grant amounts vary widely: its 2024 grants ranged from $702 to $28.8 million, and it offers event sponsorships of up to $5,000. It does not accept unsolicited funding requests, but posts application details when competitive opportunities are available.
Assets
$548.0M
Grants
2
Total Given
$28.8M
Trailhead Institute
Denver, CO
Trailhead Institute supports community-driven public and environmental health work, including food access, nutrition, health equity, and local food systems, primarily in Colorado. Its 2024 grants had a median of $10,000, though awards ranged from $6,000 to $1.61 million; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$11.5M
Grants
72
Total Given
$2.7M
The Denver Foundation
Denver, CO
The Denver Foundation supports nonprofits working in economic opportunity, environment and climate, housing, and youth well-being, with an emphasis on racial equity and historically underserved communities in the seven-county Metro Denver region. Its Community Grants typically range from $20,000 to $50,000; the 2024 median across reported grants was $26,500. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,184
Total Given
$131.7M
Rose Community Foundation
Denver, CO
Rose Community Foundation funds nonprofits in the seven-county Greater Denver region across Jewish life, education and economic opportunity, health, and community wellbeing, with some statewide initiatives. Its 2024 itemized grants ranged from $5,050 to $1,348,353, with a median of $25,000; it accepts inquiries for listed funding opportunities, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally is not stated.
Assets
$399.6M
Grants
531
Total Given
$27.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in Colorado
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Mile High United Way Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/mile-high-united-way-inc-morg_5853dfe0f88045ceb34bb1db4534aa44
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_840404235_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Mile High United Way Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/mile-high-united-way-inc-morg_5853dfe0f88045ceb34bb1db4534aa44},
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 Mile High 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.
Mile High United Way Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?