United Way of Central Iowa
United Way of Central Iowa is a public charity based in Des Moines, Iowa, formed in 1918. It invests in local programs intended to improve lives and support a thriving community across Polk, Warren, and Dallas counties.
United Way of Central Iowa at a glance
In short: United Way of Central Iowa gave $12.4M across 111 grants in 2025 (avg $112K), mostly in Iowa. 2% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $12,379,769
- -1.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 111
- -6.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $111,529
- +5.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $54,504
- Total assets
- $37,538,050
- -2.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 2% first-time grantees (2 of 111, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Iowa (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to United Way of Central Iowa
- How to Apply
-
The new-applicant funding process is currently closed. The funder’s FY27 process began with an LOI; approved applicants were to be invited to submit a full application.
- Review Cycle
- The new-applicant LOI period was January 5–18, 2026. The funder states that final funding decisions are disclosed July 1.
- Deadline
- The new-applicant LOI period was January 5–18, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1111 - 9Th Street Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50314-2500
Phone: (515) 246-6500
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who United Way of Central Iowa funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Dmacc Ankeny ($764K). Together the top 10 received $5.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
556 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 266 grants of 556 (48%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The funder describes its community work as serving Polk, Warren, and Dallas counties in central Iowa. Its reported 2025 grants were all to recipients in Iowa.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 111 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is United Way of Central Iowa open to new grantees?
2%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 111 grantees (2%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $45K; repeat grants $113K. How we count
Medians: $45K first-time, $55K repeat.
- 98% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−13%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $12.4M (2025) to $15.8M (2021). In 2025 it made 111 grants totaling $12.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dmacc Ankeny Ankeny, IA | Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families | $763,711 |
| Des Moines Independent School Distr Des Moines, IA | Community Schools and Family Support Services K-12 | $690,030 |
| Oakridge Neighborhood Services Des Moines, IA | Oakridge K-12 Out-of-School Programs | $644,917 |
| Everystep Des Moines, IA | Nurse Family Partnership | $612,912 |
| Children and Families of Iowa Des Moines, IA | CFI Child Development Center | $547,981 |
| Orchard Place Des Moines, IA | Orchard Place/Child Guidance Center- Outpatient Mental Health Services | $543,000 |
| Dental Connections Des Moines, IA | Dental Connections Main Clinic | $529,824 |
| Lutheran Services in Iowa Des Moines, IA | Healthy Families America-Hopes | $405,996 |
| Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children West Des Moines, IA | Early Childhood Quality Improvement Project (Ecquip) | $400,957 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa Des Moines, IA | Afterschool Programming for Academic Success (K-12) | $350,352 |
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Central Iowa?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Amounts below are reported by filing year.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $37,538,050 | $24,013,908 | $25,549,001 | $12,379,769 | 111 | $514,256 |
| 2024 | $38,565,876 | $25,748,884 | $26,781,444 | $12,622,211 | 119 | $413,860 |
| 2023 | $37,990,353 | $27,755,513 | $27,430,642 | $13,666,255 | 113 | $289,700 |
| 2022 | $37,480,917 | $26,442,012 | $28,510,399 | $14,179,427 | 115 | $-46,884 |
| 2021 | $41,931,356 | $30,163,758 | $30,826,093 | $15,849,520 | 98 | $106,841 |
| 2020 | $40,875,849 | $32,989,395 | $31,115,984 | $14,056,343 | 93 | $251,397 |
| 2019 | $38,488,239 | $29,792,003 | $30,010,697 | $13,859,884 | 80 | $210,502 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is “to improve lives by uniting the caring power of our community.” Its five focus areas address basic needs and stability, young children’s development, youth education, income and wealth-building opportunities, and physical and mental well-being. The organization also identifies equity as a priority in its strategy and investment decisions.
Its grants support a range of local organizations and services. For example, Children and Families of Iowa says its mission is to assist youth, individuals, and families in becoming fully functioning members of society. Orchard Place describes its mission as developing strong futures for children and youth through services for those facing mental and behavioral health challenges. Dental Connections says it works to provide equal access to quality dental care and education, while Iowa AEYC describes its work as promoting high-quality early learning for children from birth through age eight.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, United Way of Central Iowa reported 111 grants totaling $12,379,769. Grants ranged from $5,004 to $763,711, with a median award of $54,504. All reported grant dollars went to Iowa recipients.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $763,711 to DMACC Ankeny for the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families; $690,030 to Des Moines Independent School District for community schools and family support services; $644,917 to Oakridge Neighborhood Services for K–12 out-of-school programs; and $612,912 to EveryStep for the Nurse-Family Partnership. Other large awards included $547,981 to Children and Families of Iowa for its child development center, $543,000 to Orchard Place for outpatient mental health services, and $529,824 to Dental Connections for its main clinic.
For new applicants, the stated process begins with a Letter of Intent (LOI) in the funder’s grantmaking system. Applicants whose LOIs are approved are invited to submit a full application, which may require financial documentation, equity commitments, and a program budget. Volunteer cabinets review applications and recommend funding decisions to the board. The funder says selected programs receive goals and measures and are evaluated annually. Its financial review guidance requires applicants to be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or have an approved fiscal sponsor, comply with IRS filing and reporting requirements, be financially solvent, and submit required financial documentation. Funding caps depend on the documentation provided, and funding is not guaranteed up to the cap.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Maria Volante as board chair and Monica Friedman as board chair-elect. Other listed officers and directors include Chris Terhark, treasurer/vice-chair; Janell Pittman, vice chair for Essential Needs; Jacquie Easley McGhee, vice chair for Early Childhood Success; Colin Pennycooke, vice chair for Education Success; Michael Abbott, vice chair for Economic Opportunity; Suzanne Heckenlaible, vice chair for Health & Well-Being; Emily Abbas, vice chair; and Steve Lacy, vice chair for Give.
United Way of Central Iowa is led by Mary Sellers, President & Corp. Secretary on every filing since 2022; 7 of 43 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mary Sellers
President & Corp. Secretary
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$124K (2022) → $263K (2025)
Maria Volante
Board Chair
Board Chair Elect → Board Chair-Elect, 2023
Board Chair-Elect → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sean Vicente
Prior Chair
Board Chair Elect → Board Chair, 2022
Board Chair → Prior Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adam Wildman
It Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$104K (2020) → $142K (2025)
Brent Vander Waal
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jem Gong-Browne
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Renee Schaaf
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rob Barron
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Abby Delaney
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Howe
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phil Hall
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rosalind Roz Fox
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Batchelder
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erica Jensen
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pastor Jonathan Whitfield
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erin Kuhl
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hayley Harvey
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ian Roberts
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Lorenzen
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Currier
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Zaugg
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kim Willis
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristi Burma
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Post
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nataliya Boychenko Stone
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pete Hird
Director at Large - Labor
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Whitty
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Renee Miller
Chief Community Impact Officer
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$137K (2019) → $114K (2025)
Kate Bennett
Community Impact & Integ
Community Impact & Integration Officer → Community Impact & Integ, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$106K (2024) → $110K (2025)
Anne-Lyse Badou-James
Chief Finance Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$100K (2025)
Naomi Sea Young Wittstruck
Chief Equity & Talent Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$171K (2025)
Susan Kloewer
Chief Advancement Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$164K (2025)
Monica Friedman
Board Chair-Elect
Director → Board Chair-Elect, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Lacy
Vice Chair - Give
Director → Vice Chair - Give, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeremy Staun
Vice Chair - Volunteer Eng
Director → Vice Chair - Volunteer Engagement, 2024
Vice Chair - Volunteer Engagement → Vice Chair - Volunteer Eng, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joe Murphy
Vice Chair - Advocacy
Vice Chair-Public Policy → Vice Chair - Advocate, 2023
Vice Chair - Advocate → Vice Chair - Advocacy, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Abbott
Vice Chair - Economic Oppo
Vice Chair-Economic Opp → Vice Chair - Economic Opportunity, 2024
Vice Chair - Economic Opportunity → Vice Chair - Economic Oppo, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Suzanne Heckenlaible
Vice Chair - Health & Well
Vice Chair - Health & Well Being → Vice Chair - Health & Well-Being, 2024
Vice Chair - Health & Well-Being → Vice Chair - Health & Well, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Colin Pennycooke
Vice Chair - Education Successor
Director → Vice Chair - Education Successor, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jacquie Easley McGhee
Vice Chair - Early Childhood Successor
Vice Chair-Early Childhood → Early Childhood Successor, 2023
Early Childhood Successor → Vice Chair - Early Childhood Successor, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janell Pittman
Vice Chair - Essential Nee
Vice Chair-Essential Needs → Vice Chair - Essential Needs, 2023
Vice Chair - Essential Needs → Vice Chair - Essential Nee, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Terhark
Treasurer & Vice Chair Finan
Director → Treasurer, Vice Chair Finance & Audit, 2024
Treasurer, Vice Chair Finance & Audit → Treasurer & Vice Chair Finan, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily Abbas
Vice Chair - Strategic Com
Vice Chair - Strategic Communications → Vice Chair - Strategic Com, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (45)
- Former: Charlie Wishman (2019–2024) — Director at Large - Labor
- Former: Christine Holmes (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Drew Porter (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Sarah Roy (2019–2024) — Chief Operating Officer
- Former: Danielle Martin (2021–2024) — Finance Officer
- Former: Janice Lane-Schroeder (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Tanner Krause (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Tony Coleman (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Alexis Campbell (2024) — Director
- Former: Anant Bhalla (2024) — Director
- Former: Mike Wegner (2024) — Director
- Former: Andy Tebockhorst (2019–2023) — Chief Strategic Communications
- Former: Dan Pitcher (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Don Coffin (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Grant Kvalheim (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Lynn Graves (2019–2023) — Vice Chair - Education Successor
- Former: Melanie Campbell (2019–2023) — Chief Donor Engagement Officer
- Former: Tessie Johnson (2019–2023) — Treasurer, Vice Chair Finance & Audit
- Former: Tim McCulloh (2019–2023) — Vice Chair - Volunteer Engagement
- Former: Heidi Mason (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Chris Blunt (2023) — Director
- Former: Mike Abbott (2023) — Vice Chair - Economic Opportunity
- Former: Toby O'Berry (2023) — Director
- Former: Bob Weiss (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Chris Jones (2019–2022) — Vice Chair-Strategic Communications
- Former: Elisabeth Buck (2019–2022) — President & Corp. Secretary · Filing note: Thru July 2021
- Former: Gerry Neugent (2019–2022) — Vice Chair-Give
- Former: Matt Haney (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Todd Millang (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Joel Nelson (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Nola Cartmill (2022) — Director
- Former: Tom Harty (2022) — Director
- Former: Brenda Cushing (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Franklin Codel (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Nora Everett (2019–2021) — Board Chair
- Former: Peter Diliberti (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Angela Franklin (2019–2020) — Vice Chair-Health
- Former: Bob Ritz (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Georgia Van Gundy (2019–2020) — Vice Chair-Advocate
- Former: Ed Kenny (2019) — Director
- Former: Joyce Pingel (2019) — Wlc-Representative
- Former: Marta Codina (2019) — Vice Chair-Volunteer Engagement
- Former: Sean Pelletier (2019) — Vice Chair-Income
- Former: Thomas Ahart (2019) — Director
- Former: Tom Mahoney (2019) — Board Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $263K, to Mary Sellers (President/Corp. Secretary). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about United Way of Central Iowa
How much does United Way of Central Iowa give each year?
United Way of Central Iowa gave $12.4M across 111 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $12.6M across 119 grants.
What is United Way of Central Iowa's typical grant size?
United Way of Central Iowa's median grant in 2025 was $54,504, and its average grant was $111,529, across 111 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of Central Iowa that year got $45K on average.
Where does United Way of Central Iowa give grants?
United Way of Central Iowa gives mostly in Iowa: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Des Moines, IA (77 grants), West Des Moines, IA (7 grants), Ankeny, IA (4 grants) and Johnston, IA (4 grants).
Does United Way of Central Iowa give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 111 grants with a stated purpose on United Way of Central Iowa's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are United Way of Central Iowa's largest grantees?
United Way of Central Iowa's largest 2025 grantees include Dmacc Ankeny ($763,711), Des Moines Independent School Distr ($690,030) and Oakridge Neighborhood Services ($644,917), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of Central Iowa?
United Way of Central Iowa reported $37.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $24.0M.
What does United Way of Central Iowa fund?
The organization’s stated mission is “to improve lives by uniting the caring power of our community.” Its five focus areas address basic needs and stability, young children’s development, youth education, income and wealth-building opportunities, and physical and mental well-being. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Central Iowa?
The new-applicant funding process is currently closed. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 13, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 3, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 26, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United Way of Central Iowa funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-central-iowa-morg_ef194b0207654733af438cb2fef8a5d8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_420680425_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Way of Central Iowa funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-central-iowa-morg_ef194b0207654733af438cb2fef8a5d8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Central Iowa'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 Central Iowa down — hundreds of funders to go?