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
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from United Way of Central Florida Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
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
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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