United Way Inc
United Way Inc is a public charity based in Portland, Maine. United Way of Southern Maine says it improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities and works with the community to respond to emerging needs and persistent issues.
United Way Inc at a glance
In short: United Way Inc gave $3.4M across 78 grants in 2025 (avg $44K), mostly in Maine. 15% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,448,012
- -50.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 78
- -13.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $44,205
- -42.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $19,500
- Total assets
- $19,460,731
- -3.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (12 of 78, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Maine (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to United Way Inc
- Review Cycle
- The FY26–27 Community Investment application deadline was January 17, 2025. The 2026 Emerging Leaders United application deadline was March 25, 2026.
- Deadline
- The FY26–27 Community Investment application deadline was January 17, 2025.
- Contact
Mailing address: 550 Forest Avenue 100, Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 874-1000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who United Way Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Opportunity Alliance ($518K). Together the top 10 received $1.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
447 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 320 grants of 447 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The FY26–27 Community Investment application materials specify York and Cumberland Counties, excluding Brunswick and Harpswell. All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Maine.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 78 itemized grants.
Cities
Is United Way Inc open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 12 of 78 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $50K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $23K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.4M (2025) to $8.3M (2023). In 2025 it made 78 grants totaling $3.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Opportunity Alliance South Portland, ME | Community Investment, Heating Assistance, Donor Designations | $518,397 |
| 2-1-1 Maine Inc Portland, ME | Community Investment | $221,642 |
| Children's Odyssey Falmouth, ME | Community Investment | $189,583 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine Portland, ME | Community Investment, Donor Designations | $176,296 |
| Youth & Family Outreach Portland, ME | Community Investment, Donor Designations | $156,477 |
| Catherine Morrill Day Nursery Portland, ME | Community Investment, Donor Designations | $142,137 |
| York County Community Action Sanford, ME | Community Investment, Emergency Heating Assistance, Donor Designations | $138,618 |
| Preble Street Portland, ME | Community Investment, Donor Designations | $131,718 |
| Southern Maine Workforce Initiative Portland, ME | Community Investment | $99,600 |
| Spurwink Portland, ME | Community Investment, Donor Designations | $93,000 |
Ready to take the next step with United Way Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $19,460,731 | $8,910,279 | $9,996,311 | $3,448,012 | 78 | $356,817 |
| 2024 | $20,211,678 | $9,538,507 | $12,941,051 | $6,914,799 | 90 | $445,359 |
| 2023 | $22,491,063 | $12,277,892 | $13,922,816 | $8,314,286 | 87 | $643,191 |
| 2022 | $21,043,682 | $13,282,477 | $10,550,047 | $5,512,693 | 102 | $697,589 |
| 2021 | $19,637,248 | $9,363,699 | $9,655,457 | $5,123,784 | 90 | $299,871 |
| 2020 | $17,437,834 | $9,606,119 | $9,841,376 | $4,053,212 | 96 | $229,220 |
| 2019 | $19,226,817 | $8,763,527 | $9,417,713 | $4,931,447 | 81 | $222,234 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
United Way of Southern Maine’s stated mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities. Its Thrive2027 framework includes goals for third-grade reading proficiency, housing affordability, and reducing preventable premature deaths.
Its grantmaking has supported organizations working in areas such as community investment, heating assistance, youth services, housing, and health. For example, The Opportunity Alliance describes its mission as building better lives and stronger communities across Maine by supporting people’s health, safety, and stability. Preble Street says it provides services and advocates for solutions related to homelessness, housing, hunger, and poverty. Day One describes its work as providing substance use, mental health, and wellness services to youth and families.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, United Way Inc reported 78 grants totaling $3,448,012. Individual grants ranged from $5,074 to $518,397, with a median of $19,500. The largest awards included:
For its FY26–27 Community Investment Process, the organization’s website describes goal-specific and cross-goal applications submitted through an online application portal. The listed application materials include a Word application template, workbooks, a goals framework, shared outcome measures, and a budget template. The application information sets a $10,000 minimum award and requires applicants to meet stated eligibility criteria, including eligible organizational status or a fiscal-agent relationship, legal compliance, and required financial documentation. The process is closed; the website says to check back in December 2026 for more information.
A separate Emerging Leaders United opportunity announced in 2026 offered awards of $10,000–$25,000 for innovative programming supporting educational opportunities and youth engagement, aligned with Thrive2027 and shared outcome measures. Its application window ran from February 25 to March 25, 2026.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Dan Coyne as Secretary/President/CEO and Todd Cesca as Chair. Other listed officers and directors are Michael Bourque, Vice Chair; Dan Eagleson, Treasurer; Elizabeth Cotter Schlax, Past Secretary/President/CEO; and directors Dr Abdullahi Ahmed PhD, Brian Ballute, Abusana Micky Bondo, Nathan Cadorette, and Anthony Cataldi.
United Way Inc is led by Elizabeth Cotter Schlax, Past Secretary, President & CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2022); 4 of 31 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Elizabeth Cotter Schlax
Past Secretary, President & CEO
Secretary, President & CEO → Past Secretary, President & CEO, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$176K (2022) → $200K (2025)
Dan Coyne
Secretary, President & CEO
Senior Vice President, Community Impact & Governance → Secretary, President & CEO, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$150K (2024) → $152K (2025)
Todd Cesca
Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dudley Davis PhD
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hilary Rapkin
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Meredith Rousseau
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Ballute
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Esi Seng
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Luc Nya
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nathan Cadorette
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Hussey
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Caitlin Grant
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Idella Glenn PhD
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Underberg
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Abusana Micky Bondo
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Diane Small
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dora Clements
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Devoe Lewis
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robin LaBonte
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Abdullahi Ahmed PhD
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alex Gramling
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anthony Cataldi
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph JJ Rouhana
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nannette Ranger-Duncanson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rupa Lall Pakash
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristin Chase Duffy
Chief Operating & Committee Officer
Senior Vice President, Technology & Communications → Chief Operating & Committee Officer, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$111K (2021) → $140K (2025)
Cameron Peden
Chief People & Development Officer
Senior Vice President, Resource Development & People → Chief People & Development Officer, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$105K (2024) → $118K (2025)
Diane Garofalo
Director Chair Emeritus
Chair → Director, 2024
Director → Director Chair Emeritus, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Bourque
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Eagleson
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer McCarthy
Past Director
Director → Past Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (48)
- Former: Kierston Van Soest (2019–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Quincy Hentzel (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Xavier Botana (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Ahmed Abdirahman (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Jennifer Stauffis (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Lorelei Richey (2022–2024) — Past Director
- Former: Karen Garnett (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Claude Rwaganje (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Danny Coyne (2019–2023) — Senior Vice President, Community Impact & Finance
- Former: Glenn Cummings (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Leeann Leahy (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Lou Inzana (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Michael Vail (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Alexa Dayton (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Matthew Wolcott (2021–2023) — Senior Vice President, Resource Development & Goverance
- Former: Alicia Walsh (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Ben LaBelle (2022–2023) — Past Director
- Former: Erich Fogg (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Jill Duson (2022–2023) — Past Director
- Former: Robert Mackenzie (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Anne Dalton (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Christopher Wilson (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Greg Boulos (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Lisa Toner (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Richard Henry (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Tony Cipollone (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: William Fletcher (2019–2022) — Chair Emeritus
- Former: Ben Waxman (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Giovani Twigge (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: John Moran (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Karen Chasse (2022) — Director
- Former: Lynne Brandsma (2022) — Director
- Former: Andrea Gordon (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Dan Espinal (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Liz Cotter Schlax (2019–2021) — Secretary, President & CEO
- Former: Spencer Thibodeau (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Alicia Roberts (2021) — Director
- Former: Peter Leighton (2021) — Director
- Former: Helaine Ayers (2019–2020) — Past Director
- Former: Regina Phillips (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Sean Dugan (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Chris Claudio (2019) — Director
- Former: Dana Totman (2019) — Director
- Former: Danielle Conway (2019) — Treasurer
- Former: James Elkins (2019) — Director
- Former: Joan Fischer (2019) — Director
- Former: Martin Bruno (2019) — Director
- Former: Michael Rayder (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $200K, to Elizabeth Cotter Schlax (Past Secretary/President/CEO). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about United Way Inc
How much does United Way Inc give each year?
United Way Inc gave $3.4M across 78 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $6.9M across 90 grants.
What is United Way Inc's typical grant size?
United Way Inc's median grant in 2025 was $19,500, and its average grant was $44,205, across 78 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way Inc that year got $13K on average.
Where does United Way Inc give grants?
United Way Inc gives mostly in Maine: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, ME (40 grants), Augusta, ME (5 grants), South Portland, ME (3 grants) and Sanford, ME (3 grants).
Does United Way Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 78 grants with a stated purpose on United Way Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community Investment" (29 grants), "Community Investment, Donor Designations" (25 grants) and "Emergency Heating Assistance" (8 grants).
Who are United Way Inc's largest grantees?
United Way Inc's largest 2025 grantees include The Opportunity Alliance ($518,397), 2-1-1 Maine Inc ($221,642) and Children's Odyssey ($189,583), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way Inc?
United Way Inc reported $19.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.9M.
What does United Way Inc fund?
United Way of Southern Maine’s stated mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities. Its Thrive2027 framework includes goals for third-grade reading proficiency, housing affordability, and reducing preventable premature deaths. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way Inc?
United Way Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is United Way Inc's EIN?
United Way Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-0241767. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 24, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 24, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 7, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United Way Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-inc-morg_26475386531c4e8b9b3b9a8b01032cd0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_010241767_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Way Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-inc-morg_26475386531c4e8b9b3b9a8b01032cd0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 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.
United Way Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?