Salina Area United Way Inc
Salina Area United Way Inc is a public charity based in Salina, Kansas. It says its work strengthens North Central Kansas by bringing people and resources together to build resilient, thriving communities, and its 2024 filing describes work in the Salina, Kansas area through funding, partnerships, community service, and investment in programs.
Salina Area United Way Inc at a glance
In short: Salina Area United Way Inc gave $568K across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $57K), mostly in Kansas. 20% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $568,121
- +44.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- -33.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $56,812
- +116.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $18,750
- Total assets
- $1,050,312
- +5.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (2 of 10, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Kansas (100% 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 Salina Area United Way Inc
- Review Cycle
- The published deadline for the 2025 Early Childcare Initiative grant application was March 7, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. CST.
- Deadline
- The published deadline for the 2025 Early Childcare Initiative grant application was March 7, 2025, at 12:00 p.m.
- Contact
Mailing address: 328 N Ohio St, Salina, KS 67401
Phone: (785) 827-1312
Website: https://unitedwaysalina.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 Salina Area United Way Inc
Who Salina Area United Way Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Salina Family YMCA ($226K). Together the top 10 received $568K.
Grant Size Distribution
46 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 41 grants of 46 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization describes its service area as North Central Kansas. Its grant-program information identifies the Salina area, Kansas, as the geographic scope; the published 2025 Early Childcare Initiative application required applicants to operate within Saline County. All 2024 grant dollars were reported as going to Kansas recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Salina Area United Way Inc open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 10 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $90K; repeat grants $48K. How we count
Medians: $90K first-time, $19K repeat.
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 $60K (2022) to $568K (2024). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $568K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Salina Family YMCA Salina, KS | Childcare Grant | $226,476 |
| Magnolia Kids Childcare Center Salina, KS | Childcare Grant | $91,795 |
| Martin Luther King Jr Child Development Center Salina, KS | Childcare Grant | $88,600 |
| Salina Child Care Association Salina, KS | Funded Partners Grant | $48,750 |
| Big Brothersbig Sisters Salina Salina, KS | Funded Partners Grant | $18,750 |
| Caps Salina, KS | Funded Partners Grant | $18,750 |
| Boy Scouts of America - Coronado Area Council Salina, KS | Funded Partners Grant | $18,750 |
| Pawnee Mental Health Services Salina, KS | Funded Partners Grant | $18,750 |
| Prairieland Market Salina, KS | Funded Partners Grant | $18,750 |
| Central Kansas Mental Health Center Salina, KS | Funded Partners Grant | $18,750 |
Ready to take the next step with Salina Area United Way Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,050,312 | $2,906,583 | $2,853,789 | $568,121 | 10 | $10,189 |
| 2023 | $997,767 | $1,032,639 | $836,724 | $394,140 | 15 | $4,437 |
| 2022 | $821,510 | $582,645 | $394,903 | $59,550 | 6 | $4,185 |
| 2021 | $636,148 | $490,561 | $396,878 | $89,712 | 9 | $3,314 |
| 2020 | $540,846 | $659,924 | $435,257 | $60,000 | 6 | $2,982 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission in its 2024 filing is to improve lives and strengthen the community through leadership, partnership, and investment. Its website describes four pillars: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Stability, and Community Resilience. Its grant information also identifies goals of raising the graduation rate, reducing the number of financially unstable families, and increasing the number of youth and adults who are healthy and avoiding risky behavior.
The 2024 grants included childcare centers and other community organizations. For example, Salina Child Care Association says its mission is to provide child care and sponsor the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Central Kansas Mental Health Center describes its mission as providing mental health services, education, and integrated health care. Prairieland Market says it works to encourage healthy food choices and nutrition education and to increase access to local, organic, and craft foods. Pawnee Mental Health Services describes its mission as providing mental health and substance-use treatment and recovery services.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Salina Area United Way reported 10 grants totaling $568,121. Grant amounts ranged from $18,750 to $226,476, with a median of $18,750.
The largest reported grants were $226,476 to Salina Family YMCA, $91,795 to Magnolia Kids Childcare Center, and $88,600 to Martin Luther King Jr Child Development Center, each for a childcare grant. Salina Child Care Association received $48,750 as a funded-partners grant. Five other listed funded-partners grants were $18,750 each: Big Brothers Big Sisters Salina, CAPS, Boy Scouts of America–Coronado Area Council, Pawnee Mental Health Services, and Prairieland Market. Central Kansas Mental Health Center also received $18,750 as a funded-partners grant.
The Make A Difference Grants program offers awards of $10,000 or less, with grants occurring once or potentially twice a year. Its application calls for a two-page form and a simple program budget; a two-page report is expected at the end of the grant cycle, and demographic information about people served is required. The website stated that 2025 applications were not open.
The Early Childcare Initiative grants are for eligible childcare centers and have no set award limit; available funding is determined annually by the board. The 2025 application cycle is past. The published 2025 application called for funding to supplement the wage gap for teachers’ assistants and lead teachers. Applicants were required to be 501(c)(3) organizations operating KDHE-licensed childcare centers within Saline County, among other requirements. Monthly reporting for recipients includes staff vacancies, open childcare slots, closed rooms, KDHE visits, and any KDHE non-compliances.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Tama Davidson as president; Sue Alverson as president-elect/treasurer; Amanda Otto as treasurer; and Brett Mitchell as secretary. Directors listed were Amanda Wilson, Kathy Cook, Scott Bossemeyer, Laruel Michel, Rodney Denholm, and Alivia Herd.
Salina Area United Way Inc is led by Claire Ludes, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 4 of 17 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Claire Ludes
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$57K (2021) → $61K (2024)
Christina Small
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$62K (2024)
Tama Davidson
President
Director → President Elect, 2023
President Elect → President, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kora Copas
Director of Finance
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$11K (2022) → $43K (2024)
Levi Holcom
Director of Finance
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$925 (2024)
Scott Bossemeyer
Director
President Elect → President, 2022
President → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mai-Lin Wohler
Director
President Elect → President, 2023
President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amanda Wilson
Director
Director → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Cook
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Goad
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rodney Denholm
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alivia Herd
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Lambert
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laruel Michel
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brett Mitchell
Secretary
Treasurer → Director, 2022
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sue Alverson
President-Elect & Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → President-Elect & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amanda Otto
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (17)
- Former: Laurel Michel (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jacob Wood (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Phillip Schmidt (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Amy Schreiner (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jake Wise (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Margaret Dixon (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Tami Budreau (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Jenn Reitz (2022) — Director
- Former: Mike Robben (2022) — Director
- Former: Chris Pembleton (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Daniel Craig (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jessica Goubeaux (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Claire Mullen (2020) — Executive Director
- Former: Julia Ramos (2020) — Director
- Former: Marcia Demuth (2020) — Director
- Former: Stephanie Cool (2020) — Director
- Former: Susan Weis (2020) — 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 $62K, to Christina Small (Executive Director). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Salina Area United Way Inc
How much does Salina Area United Way Inc give each year?
Salina Area United Way Inc gave $568K across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $394K across 15 grants.
What is Salina Area United Way Inc's typical grant size?
Salina Area United Way Inc's median grant in 2024 was $18,750, and its average grant was $56,812, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Salina Area United Way Inc that year got $90K on average.
Where does Salina Area United Way Inc give grants?
Salina Area United Way Inc gives mostly in Kansas: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Salina, KS (10 grants).
Does Salina Area United Way Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Salina Area United Way Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Funded Partners Grant" (7 grants) and "Childcare Grant" (3 grants).
Who are Salina Area United Way Inc's largest grantees?
Salina Area United Way Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Salina Family YMCA ($226,476), Magnolia Kids Childcare Center ($91,795) and Martin Luther King Jr Child Development Center ($88,600), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 72% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Salina Area United Way Inc?
Salina Area United Way Inc reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.9M.
What does Salina Area United Way Inc fund?
The organization’s mission in its 2024 filing is to improve lives and strengthen the community through leadership, partnership, and investment. Its website describes four pillars: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Stability, and Community Resilience. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Salina Area United Way Inc?
Salina Area United Way Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check unitedwaysalina.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Salina Area United Way Inc's EIN?
Salina Area United Way Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 48-0573808. 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 September 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Salina Area United Way Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/salina-area-united-way-inc-morg_5c355cb68b344011843cbe7c1dfb3d4a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_480573808_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Salina Area United Way Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/salina-area-united-way-inc-morg_5c355cb68b344011843cbe7c1dfb3d4a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Salina Area 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.
Salina Area United Way Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?