Sioux Empire United Way Inc
Sioux Empire United Way Inc is a public charity based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It supports services for children, vulnerable adults, and people in crisis, with its 2024 grant dollars going to recipients in South Dakota.
Sioux Empire United Way Inc at a glance
In short: Sioux Empire United Way Inc gave $6.8M across 52 grants in 2025 (avg $131K), mostly in South Dakota. 12% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,818,371
- -2.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 52
- +8.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $131,123
- -9.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $77,500
- Total assets
- $14,205,716
- +15.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 12% first-time grantees (6 of 52, 2025)
- Primary geography
- South Dakota (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated November 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Sioux Empire United Way Inc
- How to Apply
-
Organizations new to the ongoing funding process must first complete a short questionnaire; a United Way staff person will contact them about next steps. Applications are reviewed competitively by community volunteers. Applicants must be incorporated, tax-exempt nonprofits operating in health or social service, recreation, or character-building fields; substantiate the program’s need; demonstrate an operational funding deficit; and provide services in Lincoln, McCook, Minnehaha, or Turner County. The organization’s funding process includes application review, meetings with program representatives, possible requests for follow-up information, volunteer funding recommendations, and final review and approval by the board. Funded organizations must report in writing significant changes of more than 10% in total expenditures or receipts.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1000 N West Avenue Suite 120, Sioux Falls, SD 57104-1314
Phone: (605) 336-2095
Website: https://siouxempireunitedway.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 Sioux Empire United Way Inc
Who Sioux Empire United Way Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Lutheran Social Services ($819K). Together the top 10 received $3.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
274 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 92 grants of 274 (34%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The grant program supports services in Lincoln, McCook, Minnehaha, and Turner Counties. All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in South Dakota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 52 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Sioux Empire United Way Inc open to new grantees?
12%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 52 grantees (12%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $91K; repeat grants $136K. How we count
Medians: $45K first-time, $81K repeat.
- 85% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−8%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $6.8M (2025) to $7.7M (2020). In 2025 it made 52 grants totaling $6.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lutheran Social Services Sioux Falls, SD | Community Impact | $818,910 |
| Children's Home Shelter for Family Safety Sioux Falls, SD | Community Impact | $722,835 |
| Active Generations Sioux Falls, SD | Community Impact | $438,050 |
| SFSD - Access for All Sioux Falls, SD | Community Impact | $350,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire Sioux Falls, SD | Community Impact | $342,000 |
| Lutheran Social Services - Path Sioux Falls, SD | Community Impact | $294,000 |
| Avera Foundation - Family Wellness Sioux Falls, SD | Community Impact | $264,382 |
| Helpline Center Sioux Falls, SD | Community Impact | $248,500 |
| SFSD - Refugee & Immigrant Academic Sioux Falls, SD | Community Impact | $241,000 |
| SFSD - Preschool Opportunities Program Sioux Falls, SD | Community Impact | $225,296 |
Ready to take the next step with Sioux Empire United Way Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Grant counts were 48 in 2024, 58 in 2023, and 55 in 2022.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $14,205,716 | $10,654,220 | $8,853,954 | $6,818,371 | 52 | $321,980 |
| 2024 | $12,329,979 | $9,016,807 | $8,764,221 | $6,985,903 | 48 | $314,098 |
| 2023 | $11,932,853 | $8,800,522 | $9,047,741 | $7,227,678 | 58 | $110,743 |
| 2022 | $12,004,709 | $8,058,950 | $9,526,562 | $7,398,526 | 55 | $-114,148 |
| 2021 | $14,046,411 | $8,857,048 | $8,881,078 | $7,059,488 | 61 | $188,495 |
| 2020 | $14,473,380 | $10,234,866 | $9,275,818 | $7,683,152 | 57 | $96,194 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is “to lead, sustain, and nurture a unified, effective response to community needs.”
Its funding supports work involving children and youth, vulnerable adults, and people in crisis. Areas described in its 2024 filing include early childhood education and childcare, parenting support, out-of-school programming, youth development, health and mental health services, independent living, family support, housing stability, and services for victims of violence and sexual assault.
Grantees illustrate the range of supported work. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire says its mission is to nurture, educate, and enrich children and youth for lifelong success. Community Outreach describes providing rent and utility assistance, social-service information and referrals, and connections between faith communities and people in need. Helpline Center says its mission is to give support, offer hope, and create connections. Sioux Falls Hope Coalition describes focusing on the achievement gap by helping children attend preschool.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Sioux Empire United Way reported 48 grants totaling $6,985,903. Grant amounts ranged from $7,212 to $818,910, with a median of $85,000. The listed grants were categorized as partner agency allocations. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 52 grants totaling $6.8 million.
Among the largest awards were $818,910 to Lutheran Social Services, $722,835 to Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety, $435,800 to Active Generations, $417,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire, and $350,000 to SFSD – Access for All. Other large allocations included $294,000 to Lutheran Social Services – PATH, $279,943 to Community Outreach, and $248,500 to Helpline Center.
The 2024 filing also reports that volunteers recommended approximately $7.5 million for 73 programs at 38 nonprofit organizations through the ongoing funding process. Separately, the organization provided translation and interpreter funding to 14 organizations and matching funds to 23 organizations for AED purchases.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Lisa Romkema as CEO, noting she started in July. Listed officers and directors also include Kate Kotzea, chair; Randy Knecht, past chair; Tolcha Mesele, first vice-chair through August; Joel Sylvester, second vice-chair; Angie Hillestad, treasurer; Adrienne McKeown, community impact chair; and Tim Blotske, Brenda Kibbe, and Miles Beacom as members.
Sioux Empire United Way Inc is led by Lisa Romkema, CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2023); 2 of 32 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lisa Romkema
CEO
CEO in → CEO, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$70K (2024) → $167K (2025)
Kate Kotzea
Chair
Second Vice → First Vice C, 2023
First Vice C → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jamie Hegge
Marketing Div. Chair
Member → Marketing Chair, 2024
Marketing Chair → Marketing Div. Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julia Disburg
Committee Impact Chair
Vice Committee Impact Chair → Committee Impact Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tony Nour
Campaign Div. Chair
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christina Riss
COO
Chief Operat → Chief Operations Officer, 2024
Chief Operations Officer → COO, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$111K (2023) → $133K (2025)
Angie Hillestad
Second Vice Chair
Past & Vice Co → Treasurer, 2024
Treasurer → Second Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brenda Kibbe
Past Chair
Past Chair → Member, 2024
Member → Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Corey Heaton
Treasurer
Member → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeremy Bill
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joel Sylvester
First Vice Chair
Member → Second Vice Chair, 2024
Second Vice Chair → First Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kim Burma
Member
Camp Div Vice → Campaign Chair, 2024
Campaign Chair → Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Townsend
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Miles Beacom
Member
Member → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Monie Siemonsma
Member
Camp Div Cha → Past Camp Di, 2023
Past Camp Di → Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adrienne McKeown
Member
Committee Imp Ch → Committee Imp Chair, 2024
Committee Imp Chair → Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anna Jankord
Member
Emerg Leader → Member, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Waage
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kira Kimball
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Blotske
Member
Camp Div Vice → Camp Div Cha, 2023
Camp Div Cha → Member, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bob Mundt
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matt Hocks
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vicki Stewart
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Luke Carr
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Millage
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandy Dieleman
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Hogg
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wayne Baumberger
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Allie Hartzler
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Frank Kern
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Nold
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Otten
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (29)
- Former: Angela Lammers (2020–2024) — Member
- Former: Jane Stavem (2020–2024) — Member
- Former: Kelly Hefti (2020–2024) — Member
- Former: Randy Knecht (2020–2024) — Past Chair
- Former: Tolcha Mesele (2020–2024) — First Vice Chair
- Former: Alan H. Turner II (2022–2024) — President & CEO
- Former: Pam Hanneman (2024) — Interim CEO
- Former: Paul Hanson (2024) — Vice Campaign Chair
- Former: Heather Viergutz-McDonald (2020–2023) — Finance Director
- Former: James Payer II (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Mike Frankman (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Steve Statz (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Alejandro Ramirez (2023) — Member
- Former: Shelly Johnson (2023) — Marketing Di
- Former: Alex Ramirez (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Brian Bird (2020–2022) — Past Camp Di
- Former: Chris Kray (2020–2022) — Past Chair
- Former: Elizabeth Carlson (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Jack Marsh (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Jay Powell (2020–2022) — President Th
- Former: Melissa O'Hara (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Sara Mitchell (2021–2022) — Marketing Di
- Former: Ben Arndt (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Clara Hart (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Jeff Strand (2020–2021) — Past Committee I
- Former: Krista May (2020–2021) — Emerg Leader
- Former: Marie Fredrickson (2020–2021) — Past Chair
- Former: Daniel Doyle (2021) — Member
- Former: Daniel Heinemann (2020) — Past Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $167K, to Lisa Romkema (CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Sioux Empire United Way Inc
How much does Sioux Empire United Way Inc give each year?
Sioux Empire United Way Inc gave $6.8M across 52 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $7.0M across 48 grants.
What is Sioux Empire United Way Inc's typical grant size?
Sioux Empire United Way Inc's median grant in 2025 was $77,500, and its average grant was $131,123, across 52 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Sioux Empire United Way Inc that year got $91K on average.
Where does Sioux Empire United Way Inc give grants?
Sioux Empire United Way Inc gives mostly in South Dakota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Sioux Falls, SD (45 grants) and Madison, SD (2 grants).
Does Sioux Empire United Way Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 52 grants with a stated purpose on Sioux Empire United Way Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community Impact" (52 grants).
Who are Sioux Empire United Way Inc's largest grantees?
Sioux Empire United Way Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Lutheran Social Services ($818,910), Children's Home Shelter for Family Safety ($722,835) and Active Generations ($438,050), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Sioux Empire United Way Inc?
Sioux Empire United Way Inc reported $14.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $10.7M.
What does Sioux Empire United Way Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is “to lead, sustain, and nurture a unified, effective response to community needs.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Sioux Empire United Way Inc?
Organizations new to the ongoing funding process must first complete a short questionnaire; a United Way staff person will contact them about next steps. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Sioux Empire United Way Inc's EIN?
Sioux Empire United Way Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-0233701. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated November 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
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 4, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Sioux Empire United Way Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/sioux-empire-united-way-inc-morg_0a679cd53e7d4c22890293efe8aba7ab
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_460233701_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Sioux Empire United Way Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/sioux-empire-united-way-inc-morg_0a679cd53e7d4c22890293efe8aba7ab},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-15. 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 Sioux Empire 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.
Sioux Empire United Way Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?