United Way of Cascade County
United Way of Cascade County is a public charity based in Great Falls, Montana. Founded in 1969, it supports community initiatives and nonprofit programs addressing youth opportunity, financial security, and community health and well-being.
United Way of Cascade County at a glance
In short: United Way of Cascade County gave $531K across 28 grants in 2025 (avg $19K), mostly in Montana. 25% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $531,000
- +10.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 28
- +27.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $18,964
- -13.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $12,000
- Total assets
- $1,017,783
- +7.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (7 of 28, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Montana (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 of Cascade County
- How to Apply
-
The funder invites eligible local nonprofits to apply through its grant application process. The published 2026 application window is closed.
- Review Cycle
- April 2, 2026, by 5 p.m.
- Deadline
- April 2, 2026, by 5 p.m.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 1343, Great Falls, MT 59403
Phone: (406) 727-3400
Website: https://uwccmt.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who United Way of Cascade County funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Society of St Vincent De Paul ($106K). Together the top 10 received $345K.
Grant Size Distribution
112 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 101 grants of 112 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The grant application page invites Cascade County nonprofits to apply, and the 2026–2027 cycle guidelines refer to United Way of Cascade and Hill County. The 2025 filing lists 100% of grant dollars as going to recipients in Montana.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 28 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is United Way of Cascade County open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 28 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $22K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $15K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $424K (2022) to $531K (2025). In 2025 it made 28 grants totaling $531K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Society of St Vincent De Paul Great Falls, MT | General Suppurt | $106,300 |
| Alliance for Youth Great Falls, MT | General Support | $51,000 |
| Opportunities Inc Great Falls, MT | General Support | $35,000 |
| Cascade County Law Clinic Great Falls, MT | General Support | $31,000 |
| Kairos Youth Services Great Falls, MT | General Support | $27,000 |
| Meals on Wheels Great Falls, MT | General Support | $25,000 |
| Peace Place Respite Care Great Falls, MT | General Support | $19,900 |
| Voices of Hope Great Falls, MT | General Support | $18,000 |
| Veteran's and Adult Treatment Courts Great Falls, MT | General Support | $16,000 |
| Family Promise of Great Falls Great Falls, MT | General Support | $16,000 |
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Cascade County?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,017,783 | $1,499,621 | $1,618,263 | $531,000 | 28 | $30,626 |
| 2024 | $944,147 | $1,482,943 | $1,495,855 | $480,100 | 22 | $16,194 |
| 2023 | $847,403 | $1,307,792 | $1,442,774 | $447,600 | 23 | $9,309 |
| 2022 | $971,506 | $1,344,943 | $1,454,255 | $424,000 | 19 | $8,097 |
| 2021 | $1,041,763 | $1,635,433 | $1,360,978 | $440,832 | 20 | $7,777 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of its community. Its stated community-level outcomes are Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and a Healthy Community; it also lists Community Resiliency among its goals.
Its grants support organizations working on needs including youth services, housing stability, legal assistance, and services for older adults. For example, Alliance for Youth says it advances healthy youth and family development through educational and collaborative approaches. Family Promise of Great Falls says it supports children and families experiencing homelessness as they work toward sustainable independence. The Cascade County Law Clinic says it provides pro bono legal representation to qualified local individuals and families.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, United Way reported 28 grants totaling $531,000. Grant amounts ranged from $6,700 to $106,300, with a median of $12,000. All reported grant dollars went to recipients listed in Montana.
Among the largest awards were $106,300 to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, $51,000 to Alliance for Youth, $35,000 to Opportunities Inc., $31,000 to Cascade County Law Clinic, and $27,000 to Kairos Youth Services. The filing lists the awards’ purposes as general support. Opportunities Inc. describes its work as respectfully supporting and educating individuals to achieve self-reliance; Kairos Youth Services describes serving troubled youth and their families in community-based group-home settings.
For the 2026–2027 cycle, the guidelines ask human service providers to propose strategies aligned with the funder’s community goals. Applicants are asked to explain their goals, planned activities, success measures, and a detailed budget. Community volunteers review applications, hear presentations, and assess proposals; funded organizations must report on outcomes. The published eligibility requirements include federal tax-exempt status, Montana licensing, financial reporting requirements, and nondiscrimination. Government agencies and faith-based organizations may apply if they meet the funder’s requirements; funded faith-based programs may not condition assistance on religious participation or engage in proselytizing.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Gary Owen as president; Rob Rezek as chairman; Cooper Thomas as vice-chairman; Sarah Stanger as treasurer; Lisa Blades as secretary; Erin Merchant as second vice chair; Tom Hering as past-chair; and Rachel Arthur, Keith Benjamin, and Julie Clewley as directors.
United Way of Cascade County is led by Gary Owen, President on every filing since 2021; 1 of 29 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Gary Owen
President
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$87K (2021) → $98K (2025)
Rob Rezek
Chairman
Director → Vice Chairman, 2024
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Curtis Finnicum
Director
Chairman → Past-Chair, 2023
Past-Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jenel Figarelle
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keith Horton
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paige Morgan
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Pahut
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shane Etzwiler
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Windy Lee
Director
Secretary → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Abigail Hill
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie Clewley
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Teresa Schreiner
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Fladland
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dave Krebs
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Mungle
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jordann Lankford
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Parcel
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Arthur
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bob Kelly
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joe Laplante
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keith Benjamin
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kim Cripps
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Megan Obrecht
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Thompson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erin Merchant
2nd Vice Chair
Director → 2nd Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Blades
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Hering
Past-Chair
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2024
Chairman → Past-Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Stanger
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cooper Thomas
Vice Chairman
2nd Vice Chair → Vice Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (20)
- Former: Leanne Frost (2021–2024) — Past-Chair
- Former: Tim Austin (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Alicica Eatherly (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Brad Garpestad (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Brad Livingston (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Nichole Forte (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Ray Ames (2022–2023) — 2nd Vice Chair
- Former: Shannon Holland (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Connor Murphy (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Don Serido (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Kristy Pontet-Stroop (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Mindy Kiser (2021–2022) — Past-Chair
- Former: Scott Anderson (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Yolanda Owen-Smalls (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Beth Schoenen (2021) — Director
- Former: Mason Walker (2021) — Director
- Former: Molly Wendland (2021) — Director
- Former: Nic Estrada (2021) — Director
- Former: Paula Delaney (2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Trisha Gardner (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $98K, to Gary Owen (President).
Frequently asked questions about United Way of Cascade County
How much does United Way of Cascade County give each year?
United Way of Cascade County gave $531K across 28 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $480K across 22 grants.
What is United Way of Cascade County's typical grant size?
United Way of Cascade County's median grant in 2025 was $12,000, and its average grant was $18,964, across 28 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of Cascade County that year got $10K on average.
Where does United Way of Cascade County give grants?
United Way of Cascade County gives mostly in Montana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Great Falls, MT (23 grants) and Havre, MT (4 grants).
Does United Way of Cascade County give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of United Way of Cascade County's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (28 of 28) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are United Way of Cascade County's largest grantees?
United Way of Cascade County's largest 2025 grantees include Society of St Vincent De Paul ($106,300), Alliance for Youth ($51,000) and Opportunities Inc ($35,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of Cascade County?
United Way of Cascade County reported $1.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.5M.
What does United Way of Cascade County fund?
The organization’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of its community. Its stated community-level outcomes are Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and a Healthy Community; it also lists Community Resiliency among its goals. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Cascade County?
The funder invites eligible local nonprofits to apply through its grant application process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is United Way of Cascade County's EIN?
United Way of Cascade County's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-0304170. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 16, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of Cascade County's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United Way of Cascade County funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-cascade-county-morg_228fad7cf4f14e4ba5dc1e1fa4fc149c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_810304170_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Way of Cascade County funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-cascade-county-morg_228fad7cf4f14e4ba5dc1e1fa4fc149c},
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 of Cascade 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.
United Way of Cascade County down — hundreds of funders to go?