United Way of Central Florida Inc
United Way of Central Florida (UWCF) is a 501(c)(3) philanthropic fundraising and grantmaking organization headquartered in Lakeland, Florida. Founded in 1946, the organization serves Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties in Central Florida. UWCF operates as a philanthropic broker, amplifying donor dollars through local matches, convening community partners to improve service efficiency, and directing resources toward programs that demonstrate strong return on investment in critical community needs.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$44.3M
+102.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.1M
-6.8% YoY
Grant Count
64
-12.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$126K
+6.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To create positive lasting change in the community by helping children succeed in school; promoting family financial stability and independence; and improving people's health.
Core Focus Areas:
- Education (Early Childhood Education and Academic Achievement initiatives)
- Income/Financial Stability
- Health
- Safety Net/Basic Needs
- End Hunger
- Community Partnership Schools
The organization addresses the reality that families in crisis typically require an average of twelve services to meet their financial, health, and academic needs. UWCF emphasizes providing holistic services that address root causes to create long-term, sustainable solutions.
Grantmaking
UWCF operates a Community Impact initiative that mobilizes over 130 volunteers organized into 15 teams to review program sites, previous investments, program goals, and outcomes. These volunteers make recommendations about the most effective ways to meet critical community needs.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
UWCF serves Central Florida, specifically Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties, with primary operations in the Lakeland and Highland City areas.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Revenues: $15,403,660
- Total Expenses: $14,419,171
- Total Assets: $44,346,370
- Number of Employees: 60
Prior Year Data (2023):
- Revenue: $16.4 million
- Expenses: $14.3 million
- Total Assets: $21.9 million
- Total Liabilities: $4.35 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $44,346,370 | $21,900,180 | $26,696,940 |
| Revenue | $15,403,660 | $16,353,601 | $9,902,693 |
| Expenses | $14,419,171 | $14,340,572 | $9,449,864 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $430,415 | $128,484 | $396,181 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County ($607,589), Peace River Center ($586,473), Florida Children's Museum ($449,069).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 10090 American National Red Cross - WH Winter Haven, FL | Donor Designated for General Support, Donor Designated for Program Costs, Program Operating Cost | $68,486 |
| Achievement Academy Inc Lakeland, FL | Donor Designated for General Support, Donor Designated for Program Costs, Donor Designated for Disaster/ Emergency Relief, Program Operating Cost | $248,141 |
| Alliance for Independence Lakeland, FL | Donor Designated for General Support, Donor Designated for Program Costs, Donor Designated for Disaster/ Emergency Relief, Program Operating Cost | $189,962 |
| Big Brothers & Big Sisters Lakeland, FL | Donor Designated for General Support, Donor Designated for Program Costs, Program Operating Cost | $139,849 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast (Florida Ridge) Venice, FL | Donor Designated for General Support, Donor Designated for Program Costs, Program Operating Cost | $25,058 |
| Boy Scouts of America - Greater Tampa Bay Area Council Tampa, FL | Donor Designated for General Support, Donor Designated for Program Costs, Donor Designated for Disaster/ Emergency Relief, Program Operating Cost | $52,848 |
| Boys & Girls Club-Highlands County Sebring, FL | Donor Designated for General Support, Donor Designated for Program Costs, Program Operating Cost | $15,174 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County Lakeland, FL | Donor Designated for General Support, Donor Designated for Program Costs, Donor Designated for Disaster/ Emergency Relief, Program Operating Cost | $607,589 |
| Camp Fire USA Sunshine Council Inc Lakeland, FL | Donor Designated for General Support, Donor Designated for Program Costs, Donor Designated for Disaster/ Emergency Relief, Program Operating Cost | $147,368 |
| Catholic Charities of Central Florida Orlando, FL | Donor Designated for General Support, Donor Designated for Program Costs, Donor Designated for Disaster/ Emergency Relief, Program Operating Cost | $63,499 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Christina Criser Jackson: President & CEO
- Jill Martin: Chief Financial Officer
- Natalie Dyal: Chief Financial Officer
- Terry Worthington: Executive Vice President
- Gretchen Ceranic: Director, Success By 6
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Haas | Chair Elect | 2 | — |
| Chris Chaffin | Treasurer | 2 | — |
| Jonathan Crain | Vice Chair | 2 | — |
| Merissa Green | Secretary | 2 | — |
| MIchael Tamney | Chair | 2 | — |
| Ali Wright | director | 1 | — |
| Ana Wood | director | 1 | — |
| Andy Oguntola | director | 1 | — |
| Angel Davis | director until Apr 2024 | 1 | — |
| Ashley Bell Barnett | Immediate Past Chair | 1 | — |
| Brandon Giles | director UNTIL APR 2024 | 1 | — |
| Brian Donnelly | director | 1 | — |
| Brittany Sale | director | 1 | — |
| Callie Neslund | director | 1 | — |
| Cyndi Durham | director Until Feb 2024 | 1 | — |
| Dana Hurley | director | 1 | — |
| Deely Hunt | director Until Apr 2024 | 1 | — |
| Don Elwell | director | 1 | — |
| Dusty Johnson | director | 1 | — |
| Emily Rogers | director | 1 | — |
| Emily Spath | director | 1 | — |
| Erica Lupercio | director | 1 | — |
| Fred Heid | director | 1 | — |
| Greg Littleton | director | 1 | — |
| Kim Long | director | 1 | — |
| Lauren Giordano | director | 1 | — |
| Mark Codd | director Until Jan 2024 | 1 | — |
| Naomi Boyer | director | 1 | — |
| Nick Plott | director | 1 | — |
| Rick Garcia | director | 1 | — |
| Scott Sjoblom | director | 1 | — |
| Tip Fowler | director | 1 | — |
| Troy Smith | director | 1 | — |
| Vent Crawford | director | 1 | — |
| Christina Criser Jackson | CEO | 37.5 | $168,899 |
| Ileana Kniss | Chief Development and Marketing Officer BEGAN JULY 2023 | 37.5 | $61,201 |
| Jill Martin | CFO Partial Year | 37.5 | $140,964 |
| John Rounds | CFO Partial Year | 37.5 | $27,643 |
| Katherine Fitzwater | VP Marketing & Communications | 37.5 | $92,166 |
| Rodney Crowley | COO | 37.5 | $142,761 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2025-2026:** UWCF approved over $5.1 million in community investment for the upcoming fiscal period across its three-county service area
UWCF Approves Over $5.1 Million in Community Investment for 2025-26 Across**October 2024:** Announced $80,000 in hurricane relief grants to support 11 local nonprofit organizations responding to recent hurricane impacts
$220,000 Awarded to 12 Local Agencies Supporting Polk County Students - United**2022:** Established the United Community Relief Fund in collaboration with GiveWell Community Foundation to respond to major community crises; initially created during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently activated for Hurricane Ian relief
UWCF Approves Over $5.1 Million in Community Investment for 2025-26 Across**Ongoing:** UWCF and GiveWell Community Foundation launched the United Community Indicators Dashboard to track community progress
UWCF Approves Over $5.1 Million in Community Investment for 2025-26 AcrossSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does United Way of Central Florida Inc fund?
**Mission:** To create positive lasting change in the community by helping children succeed in school; promoting family financial stability and independence; and improving people's health. **Core Focus Areas:** • Education (Early Childhood Education and Academic Achievement initiatives) • Income/Financial Stability • Health • Safety Net/Basic Needs • End Hunger • Community Partnership Schools The organization addresses the reality that families in crisis typically require an average of twelve s…
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Central Florida Inc?
UWCF operates a Community Impact initiative that mobilizes over 130 volunteers organized into 15 teams to review program sites, previous investments, program goals, and outcomes. These volunteers make recommendations about the most effective ways to meet critical community needs. **Recent Grant Activity:** • **2025-2026:** Approved over $5.1 million in community investment allocations across Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties • **2024:** Distributed $80,000 in hurricane relief grants to 11 lo…
Where does United Way of Central Florida Inc make grants?
UWCF serves Central Florida, specifically Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties, with primary operations in the Lakeland and Highland City areas.
What size grants does United Way of Central Florida Inc award?
In 2024, United Way of Central Florida Inc awarded 64 grants totaling $8.1M — an average of about $126K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is United Way of Central Florida Inc's EIN?
United Way of Central Florida Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 59-2116280. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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