Sioux Empire United Way Inc logo

Sioux Empire United Way Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Sioux Falls, SD EIN: 46-0233701 Website

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 $7.0M across 48 grants in 2024 (avg $146K), mostly in South Dakota. 38% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2024)
$6,985,903
-3.3% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
48
-17.2% vs 2023
Average grant
$145,540
+16.8% vs 2023
Median grant
$85,000
Total assets
$12,329,979
+3.3% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
38% first-time grantees (18 of 48, 2024)
Primary geography
South Dakota (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 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.

Who Sioux Empire United Way Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Lutheran Social Services: $819KLutheran Social Services$819KChildren's Home Shelter for Family Safety: $723KChildren's Home Shelter forFamily Safety$723KActive Generations: $436KActive Generations$436KBoys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire: $417KBoys & Girls Clubs of theSioux Empire$417KSFSD - Access for All: $350KSFSD - Access for All$350KLutheran Social Services - Path: $294KLutheran Social Services -Path$294KCommunity Outreach: $280KCommunity Outreach$280KAvera Foundation - Family Wellness: $264KAvera Foundation - FamilyWellness$264KHelpline Center: $249KHelpline Center$249KSFSD - Refugee & Immigrant Academic: $241KSFSD - Refugee & ImmigrantAcademic$241K

The largest 2024 recipient was Lutheran Social Services ($819K). Together the top 10 received $4.1M.

Grant Size Distribution

279 grants across all recorded years

92<$50K70$50–100K84$100–250K23$250–500K10$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 92 grants of 279 (33%).

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

1state

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 48 itemized grants.

States

Cities

Sioux FallsMadisonHarrisburgPierreSalemTeaVermillionBalticCantonLennox

Is Sioux Empire United Way Inc open to new grantees?

38%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 18 of 48 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $142K; repeat grants $148K. How we count

Medians: $82K first-time, $85K repeat.

  • 60% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−1%). 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

$0$2M$4M$6M$8M57 grants2020 61 grants2021 55 grants2022 58 grants2023 48 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $7.0M (2024) to $7.7M (2020). In 2024 it made 48 grants totaling $7.0M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Lutheran Social Services Sioux Falls, SDPartner Agency Allocation$818,910
Children's Home Shelter for Family Safety Sioux Falls, SDPartner Agency Allocation$722,835
Active Generations Sioux Falls, SDPartner Agency Allocation$435,800
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire Sioux Falls, SDPartner Agency Allocation$417,000
SFSD - Access for All Sioux Falls, SDPartner Agency Allocation$350,000
Lutheran Social Services - Path Sioux Falls, SDPartner Agency Allocation$294,000
Community Outreach Sioux Falls, SDPartner Agency Allocation$279,943
Avera Foundation - Family Wellness Sioux Falls, SDPartner Agency Allocation$264,382
Helpline Center Sioux Falls, SDPartner Agency Allocation$248,500
SFSD - Refugee & Immigrant Academic Sioux Falls, SDPartner Agency Allocation$241,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Grant counts were 48 in 2024 and 0 in each of 2023 and 2022.

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2024$12,329,979$9,016,807$8,764,221$6,985,90348$314,098
2023$11,932,853$8,800,522$9,047,741$7,227,67858$110,743
2022$12,004,709$8,058,950$9,526,562$7,398,52655$-114,148
2021$14,046,411$8,857,048$8,881,078$7,059,48861$188,495
2020$14,473,380$10,234,866$9,275,818$7,683,15257$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.

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 Alan H. Turner II, President & CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2022); 4 of 35 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Alan H. Turner II

    President & CEO

    President Fr → President, 2023

    President → President & CEO, 2024

    On filings since 2022

    40 hrs/week

    $120K (2022) → $70K (2024)

  • Lisa Romkema

    CEO

    CEO in → CEO, 2024

    On filings since 2023

    40 hrs/week

    $70K (2024)

  • Pam Hanneman

    Interim CEO

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $78K (2024)

  • Kate Kotzea

    Chair

    Second Vice → First Vice C, 2023

    First Vice C → Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kim Burma

    Campaign Chair

    Member → Camp Div Vice, 2023

    Camp Div Vice → Campaign Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Adrienne McKeown

    Committee Imp Chair

    Member → Committee Imp Ch, 2023

    Committee Imp Ch → Committee Imp Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jamie Hegge

    Marketing Chair

    Member → Marketing Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Christina Riss

    Chief Operations Officer

    Chief Operat → Chief Operations Officer, 2024

    On filings since 2023

    40 hrs/week

    $111K (2023) → $115K (2024)

  • Angela Lammers

    Member

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Angie Hillestad

    Treasurer

    Committee Imp Ch → Past & Vice Co, 2023

    Past & Vice Co → Treasurer, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Brenda Kibbe

    Member

    Chair → Past Chair, 2023

    Past Chair → Member, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Corey Heaton

    Member

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jane Stavem

    Member

    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

    Second Vice Chair

    Past Camp Di → Member, 2022

    Member → Second Vice Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kelly Hefti

    Member

    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

  • Randy Knecht

    Past Chair

    First Vice C → Chair, 2023

    Chair → Past Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tolcha Mesele

    First Vice Chair

    Treasurer → Second Vice, 2023

    Second Vice → First Vice Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    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

  • Julia Disburg

    Vice Committee Impact Chair

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Luke Carr

    Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mark Millage

    Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Paul Hanson

    Vice Campaign Chair

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sandy Dieleman

    Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sarah Hogg

    Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Wayne Baumberger

    Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (21)
  • 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, 2020–2024. "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

Christina Riss — Chief Operations Off: $115KChristina RissChief Operations Off$115KPam Hanneman — Interim CEO (Jan-AUG): $78KPam HannemanInterim CEO (Jan-AUG)$78KLisa Romkema — CEO (Started in July): $70KLisa RomkemaCEO (Started in July)$70KAlan H Turner II — President/CEO Through Jan: $70KAlan H Turner IIPresident/CEO Through Jan$70K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $115K, to Christina Riss (Chief Operations Off). 4 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 $7.0M across 48 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $7.2M across 58 grants.

What is Sioux Empire United Way Inc's typical grant size?

Sioux Empire United Way Inc's median grant in 2024 was $85,000, and its average grant was $145,540, across 48 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Sioux Empire United Way Inc that year got $142K 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 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Sioux Falls, SD (40 grants) and Madison, SD (2 grants).

Does Sioux Empire United Way Inc give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 48 grants with a stated purpose on Sioux Empire United Way Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Partner Agency Allocation" (48 grants).

Who are Sioux Empire United Way Inc's largest grantees?

Sioux Empire United Way Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Lutheran Social Services ($818,910), Children's Home Shelter for Family Safety ($722,835) and Active Generations ($435,800), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Sioux Empire United Way Inc?

Sioux Empire United Way Inc reported $12.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.0M.

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 2020–2024.

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

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
  2. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 1, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 30, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
  6. 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 October 6, 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 2026-10-06. 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.

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