United Way of Blount County logo

United Way of Blount County

Public charity · Grantmaker Maryville, TN EIN: 23-7122193 Website

United Way of Blount County is a public charity based in Maryville, Tennessee, that provides financial resources to nonprofit community partners serving vulnerable people in Blount County. The organization says it was formed in 1954 and describes its work as bringing people and resources together to strengthen the community.

United Way of Blount County at a glance

In short: United Way of Blount County gave $1.7M across 27 grants in 2024 (avg $62K), mostly in Tennessee. 7% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2024)
$1,674,313
+2.0% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
27
-3.6% vs 2023
Average grant
$62,012
+5.8% vs 2023
Median grant
$35,000
Total assets
$4,222,886
-2.7% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
7% first-time grantees (2 of 27, 2024)
Primary geography
Tennessee (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 United Way of Blount County

How to Apply

Applications are accepted annually through the Annual Community Grants program; applicants must meet the stated eligibility requirements and participate in the review process.

Review Cycle
December 31, 2026.
Deadline
December 31, 2026.
Next open deadline
December 31, 2026 (Annual Community Grants)
Contact

Mailing address: 1615 East Broadway, Maryville, TN 37804
Phone: (865) 982-2251
Website: https://unitedwayblount.org

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who United Way of Blount County funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

McNabb Center: $249KMcNabb Center$249KAlloc Other Counties United Way: $239KAlloc Other Counties UnitedWay$239KBoys & Girls Club of Blount County: $116KBoys & Girls Club of BlountCounty$116KHaven House: $106KHaven House$106KGood Neighbors of Blount County: $105KGood Neighbors of BlountCounty$105KSenior Citizens Home Assistance: $100KSenior Citizens HomeAssistance$100KBlount County Community Action Agen: $85KBlount County Community ActionAgen$85KFamily Promise of Blount County: $74KFamily Promise of BlountCounty$74KNew Hope Children's Advocacy Center: $69KNew Hope Children's AdvocacyCenter$69KTrinity Health Ministries: $60KTrinity Health Ministries$60K

The largest 2024 recipient was McNabb Center ($249K). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.

Grant Size Distribution

134 grants across all recorded years

82<$50K30$50–100K20$100–250K2$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 82 grants of 134 (61%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The organization’s stated grant-program scope is Blount County, Tennessee. Its 2024 grant dollars were reported as going entirely to recipients in Tennessee.

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 27 itemized grants.

States

Cities

MaryvilleKnoxvilleAlcoaOak RidgeLoudon

Is United Way of Blount County open to new grantees?

7%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 2 of 27 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $26K; repeat grants $65K. How we count

Medians: $26K first-time, $44K repeat.

  • 93% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+8%). 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.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$500K$1M$1.5M$2M26 grants2019 26 grants2020 27 grants2021 26 grants2022 28 grants2023 27 grants2024

From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.5M (2022) to $1.7M (2024). In 2024 it made 27 grants totaling $1.7M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
McNabb Center Knoxville, TNProgram Oper Cost$249,139
Alloc Other Counties United Way Maryville, TNDD General Support$239,056
Boys & Girls Club of Blount County Knoxville, TNProgram Oper Cost$116,077
Haven House Alcoa, TNProgram Oper Cost$105,980
Good Neighbors of Blount County Maryville, TNProgram Oper Cost$105,000
Senior Citizens Home Assistance Maryville, TNProgram Oper Cost$100,000
Blount County Community Action Agen Maryville, TNProgram Oper Cost$84,948
Family Promise of Blount County Alcoa, TNProgram Oper Cost$73,500
New Hope Children's Advocacy Center Maryville, TNProgram Oper Cost$69,480
Trinity Health Ministries Maryville, TNProgram Oper Cost$60,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

The organization reported a 14.25% overhead rate for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, calculated as management and general expenses plus fundraising expenses divided by total revenue.

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2024$4,222,886$2,409,873$2,458,483$1,674,31327$35,302
2023$4,340,500$2,224,152$2,408,140$1,640,73928$28,117
2022$4,458,779$2,072,960$2,127,802$1,476,23026$3,555
2021$4,350,761$2,210,993$2,184,460$1,555,63927$2,096
2020$4,300,706$2,398,766$2,289,537$1,586,18726$3,364
2019$4,178,810$1,937,079$2,112,714$1,477,24126$6,710

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The organization’s mission is “uniting people and resources to build a stronger, healthier, and more accessible community for the benefit of all.” Its stated vision is to support organizations serving Blount County’s most vulnerable through programs that foster a healthy, well-educated, and self-sufficient community.

Its 2024 filing describes funding priorities in health, education, and self-sufficiency. These include healthcare access and mental health; family support, training, job skills, and adult education; and basic needs, crisis assistance, housing, and transportation. Its Annual Community Grants program currently lists four impact areas: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency.

The organization funds programs through nonprofit community partners. Examples from 2024 include Haven House, which describes its work as supporting domestic violence survivors and educating the community; Good Neighbors of Blount County, which provides emergency rent and utility assistance and optional budget coaching; and Trinity Health Ministries, which provides basic dental care to people who cannot afford other providers. Compassion Counseling describes its work as providing counseling and education to promote mental health and well-being.

Grantmaking

In 2025, United Way of Blount County announced $1,466,774 in grants to 27 local nonprofits, supporting 41 programs. The announcement said 19 programs received three-year grant agreements, four received one-year agreements, and four received funding designated by donors.

For filing year 2024, the organization reported 27 grants totaling $1,674,313. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $249,139, with a median of $35,000. The largest listed awards included $249,139 to McNabb Center, $239,056 allocated to other county United Ways, $116,077 to Boys & Girls Club of Blount County, $105,980 to Haven House, and $105,000 to Good Neighbors of Blount County.

Annual Community Grants are open to established nonprofits in Blount County. Awards may be for one or three years and must support specific programs serving the county’s most vulnerable residents. Applicants must be UWBC Community Partners and 501(c)(3) nonprofits; their boards must meet at least quarterly and include at least one Blount County community member. Applicants must also have an audited financial statement or external financial review dated within the previous three years, and services may not be provided discriminatorily. Volunteer reviewers representing different community sectors make funding decisions. The stated process includes applications due in December, allocation panels and presentations in January and February, and applicant notifications in February.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 annual report identifies Jennifer Wackerhagen as President & CEO and Alex Willard as Board Chair. It lists Alyssa Ikner as Director of Finance & Administration, Sarah Jurinsky as Director of Community Impact, and Emily Mantooth as Director of Resource Development.

United Way of Blount County is led by Jennifer Wackerhagen, President on every filing since 2019; 2 of 26 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Jennifer Wackerhagen

    President

    On filings since 2019

    40 hrs/week

    $92K (2019) → $110K (2024)

  • Caitlin Darras

    Chair

    Director at → Chair Elect, 2023

    Chair Elect → Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Keith Edmonds

    Director at

    Board Member → Director at, 2024

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jaina Castro

    Director at

    Board Member → Director at, 2024

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Alyssa Ikner

    Financial of

    Top Financial → Financial of, 2022

    On filings since 2019

    40 hrs/week

    $47K (2019) → $58K (2024)

  • Alex Willard

    Chair Elect

    Board Member → Director at, 2022

    Director at → Chair Elect, 2024

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Amy Cowden

    Board Member

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Christi Sayles

    Secretary

    Director at → Board Member, 2022

    Board Member → Secretary, 2023

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Deb Skyler

    Board Member

    Community Im → Board Member, 2020

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jennifer Coffin

    Board Member

    Board Member → Director at, 2023

    Director at → Board Member, 2024

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Katie Powers

    Board Member

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rosemary Garland

    Board Member

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Allison Williamson

    Board Member

    Community Im → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Andrea Pope

    Board Member

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ann Drake

    Campaign Cha

    Board Member → Campaign Cha, 2024

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ryan Goddard

    Board Member

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Susan Zerambo

    Board Member

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Brandon Everhart

    Board Member

    Community Im → Board Member, 2024

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Bruce Applegate

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Chris Ramsey

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jennie Bounds

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tracy Queen

    Board Member

    Campaign Cha → Board Member, 2024

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Allen Rathbone

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Justin Small

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Renee Poole

    Community Im

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Stephanie Jones

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (22)
  • Former: Regina Jennings (2019–2023) — Past Chair
  • Former: Chris Soro (2020–2023) — Chair
  • Former: Abhijit Verekar (2021–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Adriel McCord (2019–2022) — Campaign Cha
  • Former: Bob Booker (2019–2022) — Past Chair
  • Former: Jeff Ingle (2019–2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Kim Golly (2019–2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Kurt Wilkerson (2019–2022) — Secretary
  • Former: Jane Groff (2020–2022) — Board Member
  • Former: Cory Everett (2019–2021) — Board Member
  • Former: Kathy Johnson (2019–2021) — Past Chair
  • Former: Michael Hearon (2019–2021) — Board Member
  • Former: Andy Sonner (2020–2021) — Board Member
  • Former: Kelly Love (2020–2021) — Community Im
  • Former: Kevin Painter (2021) — Campaign Cha
  • Former: Mike Honeycutt (2019–2020) — Past Chair
  • Former: Tammi Ford (2019–2020) — Board Member
  • Former: Jane Qualls (2020) — Community Im
  • Former: Kelly Love Manning (2019) — Director at
  • Former: Mike Winstead (2019) — Board Member
  • Former: Sempangi Jones (2019) — Board Member
  • Former: Steve White (2019) — Board Member

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

Jennifer Wackerhagen — President &: $110KJennifer WackerhagenPresident &$110KAlyssa Ikner — Financial of: $58KAlyssa IknerFinancial of$58K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $110K, to Jennifer Wackerhagen (President &). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about United Way of Blount County

How much does United Way of Blount County give each year?

United Way of Blount County gave $1.7M across 27 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.6M across 28 grants.

What is United Way of Blount County's typical grant size?

United Way of Blount County's median grant in 2024 was $35,000, and its average grant was $62,012, across 27 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of Blount County that year got $26K on average.

Where does United Way of Blount County give grants?

United Way of Blount County gives mostly in Tennessee: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Maryville, TN (15 grants), Knoxville, TN (7 grants), Alcoa, TN (2 grants) and Oak Ridge, TN (2 grants).

Does United Way of Blount County give general operating support?

Occasionally: 4% of United Way of Blount County's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 27) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Program Oper Cost" (25 grants).

Who are United Way of Blount County's largest grantees?

United Way of Blount County's largest 2024 grantees include McNabb Center ($249,139), Alloc Other Counties United Way ($239,056) and Boys & Girls Club of Blount County ($116,077), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is United Way of Blount County?

United Way of Blount County reported $4.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.4M.

What does United Way of Blount County fund?

The organization’s mission is “uniting people and resources to build a stronger, healthier, and more accessible community for the benefit of all.” See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Blount County?

Applications are accepted annually through the Annual Community Grants program; applicants must meet the stated eligibility requirements and participate in the review process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is United Way of Blount County's EIN?

United Way of Blount County's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7122193. 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.

Data update history

(7)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 25, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 22, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 23, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 1, 2025)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of Blount County's focus areas in our free grants database

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). United Way of Blount County funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-blount-county-morg_cca5a91877274c07b9cf8bd020679d09

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237122193_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{United Way of Blount County funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-blount-county-morg_cca5a91877274c07b9cf8bd020679d09},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 of Blount County'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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