United Way Inc
United Way Inc, known on its website as United Way of Greater Los Angeles (UWGLA), is a public charity based in Los Angeles, California. It supports local organizations and community efforts addressing immediate needs and building prosperity in Greater Los Angeles.
United Way Inc at a glance
In short: United Way Inc gave $8.8M across 82 grants in 2025 (avg $107K), mostly in California. 60% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $8,809,787
- -53.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 82
- -51.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $107,436
- -2.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $73,000
- Total assets
- $182,513,736
- -3.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 60% first-time grantees (49 of 82, 2025)
- Primary geography
- California (96% 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
- How to Apply
-
The Prosperity Fund is currently closed. UWGLA lists the Call for Interest Program and the intergenerational housing RFI as current opportunities; the RFI seeks qualified housing consultants and interdisciplinary teams. Its 2024 Prosperity Fund materials described rolling applications through the UWGLA Grants Portal, but the fund is now closed.
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Contact
Mailing address: 515 S Figueroa Street Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Phone: (213) 808-6220
Website: https://unitedwayla.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from United Way Inc
Call for Interest Program Grant
United Way Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Prosperity Fund
United Way Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Request for Information (RFI): Intergenerational Housing Prototypes
United Way Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who United Way Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Experts United for Homelessness and Housing Solutions ($585K). Together the top 10 received $3.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
587 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 222 grants of 587 (38%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
UWGLA describes its investments as supporting organizations and communities in L.A. County. In filing-year 2025 grants, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in California, 3% to New York, and 1% to Washington, D.C.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 82 itemized grants.
Cities
Is United Way Inc open to new grantees?
60%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 49 of 82 grantees (60%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $118K; repeat grants $92K. How we count
Medians: $100K first-time, $57K 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 $8.7M (2021) to $18.9M (2020). In 2025 it made 82 grants totaling $8.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Experts United for Homelessness and Housing Solutions Los Angeles, CA | Crisis Support | $585,000 |
| The People Concern Los Angeles, CA | Crisis Support | $432,813 |
| La Family Housing Corporation North Hollywood, CA | Crisis Support | $425,000 |
| Kounkuey Design Initiative Inc Los Angeles, CA | Crisis Support | $337,500 |
| With Love Market and Cafe Los Angeles, CA | Shared Prosperity | $320,000 |
| LEAP4WARD LLC Oroville, CA | Crisis Support | $312,000 |
| Bet Tzedek Legal Services Los Angeles, CA | Crisis Support | $300,000 |
| Social Impact Fund Los Angeles, CA | Crisis Support | $250,000 |
| Social Justice Partners Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | Crisis Support | $250,000 |
| Fountain House Inc New York, NY | Crisis Support | $249,000 |
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 | $182,513,736 | $50,225,007 | $46,676,596 | $8,809,787 | 82 | $8,532,607 |
| 2024 | $188,168,540 | $38,681,108 | $49,630,595 | $18,803,724 | 170 | $6,357,232 |
| 2023 | $92,970,414 | $47,407,107 | $44,808,121 | $16,569,198 | 183 | $1,243,639 |
| 2022 | $90,002,015 | $49,602,090 | $44,155,282 | $16,966,001 | 77 | $472,416 |
| 2021 | $90,203,286 | $68,762,414 | $41,034,127 | $8,710,484 | 75 | $380,127 |
| 2020 | $63,354,445 | $59,662,223 | $55,109,866 | $18,932,551 | 203 | $296,855 |
| 2019 | $59,246,831 | $59,604,703 | $48,294,639 | $10,471,067 | 137 | $328,430 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to accomplish more together by combining community power, donations, and new solutions to longstanding challenges, supporting neighbors on a path from poverty to prosperity.
Its crisis-response work includes assistance related to food, housing, healthcare, and financial needs, as well as funding site improvements and operational enhancements at places serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Its shared-prosperity work includes community wealth building, affordable housing, and support for community college students. Current funding categories listed by UWGLA include Community College Success, Community Wealth Building, Homeless Services Workforce, Homeless Sector Sustainability, and Older Adult Homelessness Solutions.
Examples of 2025 grantees illustrate the kinds of organizations it supports. The People Concern says it works on homelessness, poverty, mental and physical illness, abuse, and addiction. L.A. Family Housing Corporation says it helps homeless and low-income families and individuals in Greater Los Angeles through supportive services and housing. Kounkuey Design Initiative describes itself as a community development and design organization partnering with under-resourced communities. Social Justice Partners Los Angeles says it supports systems of care and advances racial and social justice through grants, training, peer learning, and healing spaces.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, UWGLA reported 82 grants totaling $8,809,787. Grant amounts ranged from $9,350 to $585,000, with a median of $73,000. The largest awards included $585,000 to Experts United for Homelessness and Housing Solutions and $432,813 to The People Concern, both for crisis support; $425,000 to L.A. Family Housing Corporation for crisis support; and $320,000 to With Love Market and Cafe for shared prosperity. Other notable awards included $337,500 to Kounkuey Design Initiative, $300,000 to Bet Tzedek Legal Services, and $250,000 each to Social Impact Fund and Social Justice Partners Los Angeles, all for crisis support.
UWGLA’s grantseekers page describes strategic funding opportunities and targeted investments for local organizations serving L.A. County. It also describes a partnership with the Los Angeles County Justice, Care and Opportunities Department to invest more than $19.4 million over three years across 13 program areas. The Prosperity Fund is currently closed to new applications. Other listed opportunities include an active Call for Interest Program for consultants and vendors supporting UWGLA and its prosperity network, and a Request for Information on intergenerational housing prototypes for Los Angeles County.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing include Martha Santana-Chin, Chair; Irene Oh, Vice Chair; and John Yamamoto, Corporate Secretary. Listed board members include Edgar Campos, Alex Martin Chaves, Lisa Cleri Reale, Scott Cohen, Kevin Demoff, Ted Dunn, and Rudy Espinoza.
United Way Inc is led by Elise Buik, President & CEO on every filing since 2019; 10 of 40 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Elise Buik
President & CEO
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$407K (2019) → $512K (2025)
Martha Santana-Chin
Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2024
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Tran
Director, Finance & Business Solutions
Director & Finance → Director, Finance & Business Solution, 2024
Director, Finance & Business Solution → Director, Finance & Business Solutions, 2025
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$141K (2021) → $154K (2025)
Xochitl Flores
Director, People & Culture
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$127K (2023) → $138K (2025)
Emily Bradley
Director & Strategic Invst
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$132K (2025)
Hazel Lopez
Director & Crisis Soultions
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$136K (2025)
Shannon Biggs
Director of Talent & Strategy
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$142K (2025)
Lining Recendez
Vice President & Finance
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$193K (2019) → $254K (2025)
Chris Ko
Vice President, Impact & Strategy
Managing Director -Homelessness & Strategic Initiatives → Managing Director, Vice President - Impact & Strategy, 2021
Managing Director, Vice President - Impact & Strategy → Vice President, Impact & Strategy, 2022
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$153K (2020) → $224K (2025)
Thomas Newman
Vice President & Public Affairs
Senior Director - Impact Initiatives → Vice President, Engagement & Activation, 2022
Vice President, Engagement & Activation → Vice President & Public Affairs, 2024
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$139K (2020) → $198K (2025)
Erin Morton
Vice President & Strategic Partnerships
Vice President & Strategic Partnerships- → Vice President & Strategic Partnerships, 2024
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$128K (2023) → $195K (2025)
Irene Oh
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Demoff
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Cleri Reale
Board Member
Board Member → Corporate Secretary, 2024
Corporate Secretary → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stewart Kwoh
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alex Martin Chaves
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marc Hickman
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erik Robinson
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maria Salinas
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Wroan
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandra Hrna
Board Member -
Board Member → Board Member -, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Darlene Hopkins
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Cohen
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alice Juarez
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann Sugai
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edgar Campos
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hassan Webbe
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kaia Rein-Hoffman
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kim Harrington
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Rhone-Collins
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rudy Espinoza
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Yohnke
Board Member -
Board Member → Board Member -, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hamed Tavajohi
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim White
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Yamamoto
Corporate Secretary
Board Member → Corporate Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stefanie Kane
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yvonne Wheeler
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Livesay
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Headrick
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ted Dunn
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (70)
- Former: Jade Shopp (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Larry James (2019–2024) — Chair -
- Former: Michael Lawson (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Taulene Kagan (2020–2024) — Vice President, Spec. Proj. & Init. -
- Former: Cristian Yancey (2021–2024) — Director, Market. & Engage. -
- Former: Natalie Schilling (2021–2024) — Board Member -
- Former: Richard Raffetto (2022–2024) — Board Member -
- Former: Jason Riffe (2023–2024) — Director & Housing Initiatives
- Former: Michael Dennis (2024) — Director & Committee Activation -
- Former: Chris Carey (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Julie Miller-Phipps (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Mark Louchheim (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Rudy Medina (2019–2023) — Corporate Secretary
- Former: Carter Hewgley (2021–2023) — Director & Homelessness Init.
- Former: Ron Herrera (2021–2023) — Ex-Officio -
- Former: Sean McBurney (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Stephanie Kane (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Adele Berwanger (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Brad Larsen (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Caroline Choe (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jerry Neuman (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Mark Phair (2019–2022) — Board Member -
- Former: Michael Silacci (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Renata Simril (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Robyn Lawhon (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Luis Patino (2020–2022) — Board Member -
- Former: Oscar Cruz (2021–2022) — Chief Operating Officer -
- Former: Dominic Porporino (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Elicia Lopez (2022) — Director & Individ. Giving -
- Former: Brian Cullinan (2019–2021) — Board Member-
- Former: Brian Vasallo (2019–2021) — Director & Digital Marketing
- Former: Caroline Nahas (2019–2021) — Board Member -
- Former: Douglas Turk (2019–2021) — Board Member-
- Former: Elisabeth Dick (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Fred Abdelnour (2019–2021) — Board Member -
- Former: Jana Waring Greer (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Kevin Kim (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Leslie Lassiter (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Mark Hutchins (2019–2021) — Board Member -
- Former: Regina Rossall (2019–2021) — Board Member -
- Former: Sachi Hamai (2019–2021) — Ex-Officio -
- Former: Fern Shaw (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Janet Lamkim (2020–2021) — Board Member -
- Former: Steve Trutner (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: John Kulich (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Corey Castillo (2019–2020) — Director & Optimization
- Former: Deena Margolis (2019–2020) — Vice President & Community Impact-
- Former: Demetrius Stevenson (2019–2020) — Director & Corporate Strategies
- Former: Joe Waz (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Kathy Mandato (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Kathy Sieck (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Miguel Santana (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Milinda Martin (2019–2020) — Chief Operating Officer-
- Former: Sharon Tomkins (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Steven Olson (2019–2020) — Board Member -
- Former: Gregg Sherkin (2020) — Board Member -
- Former: Kevin Walker (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Lori Augustine (2020) — Board Member -
- Former: Carmen Moch (2019) — Board Member
- Former: DAVID DiCRISTOFARO (2019) — Board Member -
- Former: Elizabeth Paulson (2019) — Director, Engmt & Strat. Initative
- Former: Erika Anderson-Kemmerer Prt Yr (2019) — Chief Development Officer
- Former: Janet Clayton (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Jonathan Larsen (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Joythea Hoshino (2019) — Director & Human Resources
- Former: Lisa Alexander (2019) — Board Member -
- Former: Michele Havens (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Rusty Hicks (2019) — Ex-Officio
- Former: Tom Cuce (2019) — Board Member
- Former: William Donovan Jr. (2019) — Board Member
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 $512K, to Elise Buik (President & CEO). 10 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 $8.8M across 82 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $18.8M across 170 grants.
What is United Way Inc's typical grant size?
United Way Inc's median grant in 2025 was $73,000, and its average grant was $107,436, across 82 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way Inc that year got $118K on average.
Where does United Way Inc give grants?
United Way Inc gives mostly in California: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (43 grants), Pasadena, CA (7 grants), Long Beach, CA (4 grants) and San Fernando, CA (3 grants).
Does United Way Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 82 grants with a stated purpose on United Way Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Crisis Support" (52 grants), "Shared Prosperity" (27 grants) and "Crisis Support, Shared Prosperity" (3 grants).
Who are United Way Inc's largest grantees?
United Way Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Experts United for Homelessness and Housing Solutions ($585,000), The People Concern ($432,813) and La Family Housing Corporation ($425,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 16% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way Inc?
United Way Inc reported $182.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $50.2M.
What does United Way Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to accomplish more together by combining community power, donations, and new solutions to longstanding challenges, supporting neighbors on a path from poverty to prosperity. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way Inc?
The Prosperity Fund is currently closed. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is United Way Inc's EIN?
United Way Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-2274801. 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 May 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 8, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 7, 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 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-inc-morg_441c216d05ec481abb8c876aebd111d0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_952274801_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Way Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-inc-morg_441c216d05ec481abb8c876aebd111d0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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?