United Way Blackhawk Region Inc
United Way Blackhawk Region Inc. is a public charity based in Janesville, Wisconsin, formed in 1944. It supports health, education, and financial stability through grants to programs serving individuals and families, as well as community initiatives such as 211 and volunteer service.
Key facts about United Way Blackhawk Region Inc
In short: United Way Blackhawk Region Inc gave $1.3M across 17 grants in 2024 (avg $79K), mostly in Wisconsin. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 39-6006734
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,341,754
- Grants made (2024)
- 17
- Average grant
- $78,927
- Median grant
- $68,080
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 17, 2024; small sample)
- Total assets
- $7,229,959
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (89% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$7.2M
+10.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.3M
-11.5% YoY
Grant Count
17
-15.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$79K
+4.1% YoY
Is United Way Blackhawk Region Inc open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 17 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. How we count
- 100% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−12%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is “improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities.” Its 2024 filing describes three areas of grant support:
- Financial stability: Programs connecting people with emergency or basic-needs resources and helping address barriers to self-sufficiency.
- Education: Programs supporting children and youth through early learning, school-age activities, academic support, leadership development, and positive relationships with peers and mentors.
- Health: Programs increasing awareness of and access to health resources and promoting healthy lives.
The grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. ECHO describes its mission as meeting housing, food, and other basic needs while addressing barriers to self-sufficiency. The Boys & Girls Club of Janesville and Stateline Boys & Girls Clubs describe missions centered on helping young people reach their potential. Beloit Meals on Wheels says it nourishes and enriches the lives of homebound seniors to promote dignity and independent living. HealthNet of Rock County describes providing primary health and dental care and health education free or at low cost to underserved residents. CASA of Rock County describes recruiting and supporting volunteers who advocate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
The filing also describes United Way Blackhawk Region’s community activities, including funding 211, convening local task forces, and sponsoring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in three Blackhawk Region communities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the organization reported 17 grants totaling $1,341,754. Grant amounts ranged from $20,000 to $214,164, with a median of $68,080. Its largest reported awards included:
The organization’s website states that its 2025–2027 Community Grants cycle awarded $2,626,345 to 26 programs, to be administered by 16 nonprofit agencies during the July 2025–June 2027 funding period. The cycle was announced in June 2025 and is a past award cycle.
The organization’s filing says available grant funds are determined based on the current year’s campaign, after which programs apply and demonstrate financial solvency, community need, client outcomes, and regulatory compliance. Volunteers make final funding decisions, and staff monitor compliance during the grant term. The website’s 2023 description of its process says eligible programs were invited to submit an extensive online application, including an independent audit, IRS Form 990, and agency budget; volunteers reviewed applications, met with applicants for presentations and Q&A, and developed funding recommendations. These descriptions do not establish that the 2025–2027 cycle is currently accepting applications.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s 2024 filing describes health support for residents of Rock County, Wisconsin, and northern Winnebago County, Illinois. In 2024, 89% of grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin, 6% to Illinois, and 5% to Tennessee. The reported Tennessee grant was to The Dollywood Foundation for early reading for children ages 0–5.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.3M (2024) to $1.8M (2020). In 2024 it made 17 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Community Action Inc of Rock and Walworth Counties ($214K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
115 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 63 grants of 115 (55%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Action Inc of Rock and Walworth Counties Beloit, WI | General Support | $214,164 |
| Everyone Cooperating to Help Others Inc Janesville, WI | General Support | $193,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Janesville Inc Janesville, WI | General Support | $130,000 |
| Stateline Boys & Girls Clubs Inc Beloit, WI | General Support | $130,000 |
| Beloit Meals on Wheels Inc Beloit, WI | General Support | $85,000 |
| Healthnet of Rock County Inc Janesville, WI | General Support | $83,685 |
| CASA of Rock County Inc Janesville, WI | General Support | $80,000 |
| The Salvation Army Hoffman Estates, IL | General Support | $78,325 |
| The Dollywood Foundation Sevierville, TN | Early Reading Age 0-5 | $68,080 |
| Family Services of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois Inc Beloit, WI | General Support | $50,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grant total | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,229,959 | $2,621,979 | $2,110,589 | $1,341,754 | 17 |
| 2023 | $6,540,615 | $2,074,957 | $2,228,648 | $1,515,698 | 20 |
| 2022 | $6,380,649 | $2,002,601 | $2,175,967 | $1,489,647 | 22 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,229,959 | $6,540,615 | $6,380,649 |
| Revenue | $2,621,979 | $2,074,957 | $2,002,601 |
| Expenses | $2,110,589 | $2,228,648 | $2,175,967 |
| Net Investment Income | $393,998 | $54,857 | $69,347 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 29, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 22, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 28, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The organization’s 2024 filing lists:
- Dan Williams — Chair
- Tom McCawley — Vice Chair
- Scott Bordwell — Treasurer
- Bonnie Domingo — Secretary
- Kelly Bedessem — Director
- Jerry Gabrielatos — Director
- Mark Holzman — Director
- Jean Randles — Director
- Leslie Hulick — Director
- Bob Jones — Director
United Way Blackhawk Region Inc is led by Mary Fanning-Penny, President & CEO on every filing since 2019; 4 of 23 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Mary Fanning-Penny
President & CEO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$101K (2019) → $37K (2024)
Denise Peters-Kauihou
Interim President & CEO
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$126K (2024)
Lisa Hurda
Interim President & CEO
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$22K (2024)
Dan Williams
Chair
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Nilson
Finance Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$30K (2021) → $75K (2024)
Christine Moss
Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dennis Pauli
Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greg Ardrey
Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Bedessem
Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patty Schumacher
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Ramsden
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Hulick
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tim Oswald
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aimee Thurner
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katrina Harwood
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bob Jones
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Holzman
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pat Weberpal
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jean Randles
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jerry Gabrielatos
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bonnie Domingo
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Bordwell
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom McCawley
Vice Chair
Chair → Director, 2022
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (20)
- Former: Derek Hahn (2019–2023) — Chair
- Former: Scott Fischer (2019–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Danny Sawyer (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Kayla Hiller (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Geoff Rand (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Lori Curtis Luther (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Steve Pophal (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Jen White (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Orestes Baez (2022) — Director
- Former: Janice Compton (2019–2021) — Finance Director
- Former: Jon Schlemmer (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Ted Rehl (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Alan Hulick (2019–2020) — Chair
- Former: Darrell Williams (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Janette Klaehn (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Mike O'Brien (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Sherri Stumpf (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: David Hiller (2019) — Secretary
- Former: Deb Thielen (2019) — Director
- Former: Paul Drobnitch (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 $126K, to Denise Peters-Kauihou (Interim President & CEO (APR to OCT)). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 101 N Parker Dr 220, Janesville, WI 53545
Phone: (608) 757-3040
Frequently asked questions about United Way Blackhawk Region Inc
How much does United Way Blackhawk Region Inc give each year?
United Way Blackhawk Region Inc gave $1.3M across 17 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.5M across 20 grants.
What is United Way Blackhawk Region Inc's typical grant size?
United Way Blackhawk Region Inc's median grant in 2024 was $68,080, and its average grant was $78,927, across 17 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does United Way Blackhawk Region Inc give grants?
United Way Blackhawk Region Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Illinois (6%) and Tennessee (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Beloit, WI (8 grants) and Janesville, WI (5 grants).
Does United Way Blackhawk Region Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 94% of United Way Blackhawk Region Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (16 of 17) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are United Way Blackhawk Region Inc's largest grantees?
United Way Blackhawk Region Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Community Action Inc of Rock and Walworth Counties ($214,164), Everyone Cooperating to Help Others Inc ($193,000) and Boys & Girls Club of Janesville Inc ($130,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is United Way Blackhawk Region Inc?
United Way Blackhawk Region Inc reported $7.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.6M.
What does United Way Blackhawk Region Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is “improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities.” Its 2024 filing describes three areas of grant support: See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way Blackhawk Region Inc?
United Way Blackhawk Region Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is United Way Blackhawk Region Inc's EIN?
United Way Blackhawk Region Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6006734. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching United Way Blackhawk Region Inc by hand.
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