United Way of Central Iowa
United Way of Central Iowa is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Des Moines, Iowa, operating since 1917. The organization mobilizes community members, businesses, nonprofits, and elected officials to address critical social issues through strategic philanthropy and community engagement. The organization serves central Iowa with a focus on systemic change and community-wide impact.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$38.6M
+1.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$12.6M
-7.6% YoY
Grant Count
119
+5.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$106K
-12.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Improve Lives By Uniting The Caring Power of Community
Vision: Engage Community to Empower All
Core Values: Compassion, Integrity, Community Engagement, Responsiveness, and Striving for Excellence
United Way of Central Iowa organizes its work around a strategic framework called UNITED to THRIVE, which centers on five elements of a thriving community:
- Essential Needs
- Early Childhood Success
- Education Success
- Economic Opportunity
- Health & Well-Being
Equity is positioned at the center of this model, recognizing that community thriving requires equal opportunity for all central Iowans.
Grantmaking
United Way of Central Iowa operates a **Grants to Individuals Program** providing grants to needy residents of central Iowa, with a focus on low-income populations.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Central Iowa, with headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Revenue: $25.7 million
- Total Expenses: $26.8 million
- Total Assets: $38.6 million
- Total Liabilities: $3.33 million
- Number of Employees: 96
The organization maintains assets exceeding $20 million and annual income exceeding $20 million.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $38,565,876 | $37,990,353 | $37,480,917 |
| Revenue | $25,748,884 | $27,755,513 | $26,442,012 |
| Expenses | $26,781,444 | $27,430,642 | $28,510,399 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $413,860 | $289,700 | $-46,884 |
| 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 Dmacc Ankeny ($894,029), Des Moines Independent School Distr ($696,564), Everystep ($672,556).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES TRANSITION SERVICES DES MOINES, IA | EARLY CHILDHOOD SUCCESS | $20,000 |
| AFRICANS IN IOWA FOR EMPOWERMENT DES MOINES, IA | ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY (EO) | $10,000 |
| AIRAZI ACADEMY WEST DES MOINES, IA | COMMUNITY GARDENS | $8,859 |
| AMOS INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC LIFE DES MOINES, IA | AMOS ORGANIZING FOR MENTAL HEALTH & WELL-BEING | $28,800 |
| ANKENY COMMUNITY NETWORK ANKENY, IA | ANKENY COMMUNITY NETWORK | $8,850 |
| ART FORCE IOWA DES MOINES, IA | ARTFORCE IOWA: MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM | $94,700 |
| ASSOCIATION OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND ENRICHMENT DES MOINES, IA | A.I.P (AYDE IN SCHOOL PROGRAMS) | $10,000 |
| B WELL FOUNDATION DES MOINES, IA | CREATIVE COACHES | $15,000 |
| BACK 2 SCHOOL IOWA DES MOINES, IA | LADYLIKE | $13,108 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL IOWA DES MOINES, IA | BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL IOWA MENTORING PROGRAMS | $249,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President: Mary Sellers
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARIA VOLANTE | BOARD CHAIR | 1 | — |
| MONICA FRIEDMAN | BOARD CHAIR-ELECT | 1 | — |
| CHRIS TERHARK | TREASURER/VICE-CHAIR FINANCE/AUDIT | 1 | — |
| JACQUIE EASLEY MCGHEE | EARLY CHILDHOOD SUCCESS | 1 | — |
| JANELL PITTMAN | VICE CHAIR - ESSENTIAL NEEDS | 1 | — |
| COLIN PENNYCOOKE | VICE CHAIR - EDUCATION SUCCESS | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL ABBOTT | VICE CHAIR - ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY | 1 | — |
| SUZANNE HECKENLAIBLE | VICE CHAIR - HEALTH & WELL-BEING | 1 | — |
| EMILY ABBAS | VICE CHAIR - STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS | 1 | — |
| STEVE LACY | VICE CHAIR - GIVE | 1 | — |
| JOE MURPHY | VICE CHAIR - ADVOCACY | 1 | — |
| JEREMY STAUN | VICE CHAIR - VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT | 1 | — |
| PETE HIRD | DIRECTOR AT LARGE - LABOR | 1 | — |
| SEAN VICENTE | PRIOR CHAIR | 1 | — |
| KRISTI BURMA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR ALEXIS CAMPBELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ERICA JENSEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOHN CURRIER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR HAYLEY HARVEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PASTOR JONATHAN WHITFIELD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ERIN KUHL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR IAN ROBERTS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROB BARRON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| WENDY BATCHELDER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEM GONG-BROWNE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NATALIYA BOYCHENKO STONE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PHIL HALL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ABBY DELANEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LAURA HOWE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROSALIND ROZ FOX | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| STEVE WHITTY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEFF LORENZEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NANCY POST | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JANICE LANE-SCHROEDER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KIM WILLIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RENEE SCHAAF | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KEVIN ZAUGG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRENT VANDER WAAL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHARLIE WISHMAN | DIRECTOR AT LARGE - LABOR (END JUNE 2024) | 1 | — |
| ANANT BHALLA | DIRECTOR (END APR 2024) | 1 | — |
| CHRISTINE HOLMES | DIRECTOR (END JUNE 2024) | 1 | — |
| DR TONY COLEMAN | DIRECTOR (END NOV 2023) | 1 | — |
| TANNER KRAUSE | DIRECTOR (END JUNE 2024) | 1 | — |
| DREW PORTER | DIRECTOR (END JUNE 2024) | 1 | — |
| MIKE WEGNER | DIRECTOR (END NOV 2023) | 1 | — |
| MARY SELLERS | PRESIDENT/CORP. SECRETARY | 40 | $255,346 |
| SARAH ROY | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (END 6/30/24) | 40 | $212,994 |
| RENEE MILLER | CHIEF COMMUNITY IMPACT OFFICER | 40 | $164,448 |
| ADAM WILDMAN | IT DIRECTOR | 40 | $130,791 |
| DANIELLE MARTIN | FINANCE OFFICER (END 3/2024) | 40 | $111,053 |
| KATE BENNETT | COMMUNITY IMPACT AND INTEGRATION OFFICER | 40 | $106,497 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Awarded a **$1.8 million Good Jobs Challenge Grant** to support the Central Iowa HealthWorks Program, which funds individuals returning from prison and provides job training and support services
$1.8 million grant will support individuals returning from prisonRecognized Grant Kvalheim as the 2024 Tocqueville Society Award recipient
United Way of Central Iowa awarded $1.8 million grant Wednesday | weareiowa.comReceived a **Four-Star rating** with a 100% score, reflecting strong accountability, finance management, and organizational leadership
Frequently Asked Questions
What does United Way of Central Iowa fund?
**Mission:** Improve Lives By Uniting The Caring Power of Community **Vision:** Engage Community to Empower All **Core Values:** Compassion, Integrity, Community Engagement, Responsiveness, and Striving for Excellence United Way of Central Iowa organizes its work around a strategic framework called **UNITED to THRIVE**, which centers on five elements of a thriving community: • Essential Needs • Early Childhood Success • Education Success • Economic Opportunity • Health & Well-Being Equity is po…
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Central Iowa?
United Way of Central Iowa operates a **Grants to Individuals Program** providing grants to needy residents of central Iowa, with a focus on low-income populations. The organization also funds community-based programs across its priority areas. Recent grantmaking activity includes: • **Economic Opportunity:** Over 17,000 individuals received job training and critical support services, enabling quality employment and self-sufficiency • **Health & Well-Being:** Over 35,000 individuals served thro…
Where does United Way of Central Iowa make grants?
Central Iowa, with headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa.
What size grants does United Way of Central Iowa award?
In 2024, United Way of Central Iowa awarded 119 grants totaling $12.6M — an average of about $106K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is United Way of Central Iowa's EIN?
United Way of Central Iowa's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-0680425. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
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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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