United Way of Central Minnesota
United Way of Central Minnesota (UWCM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, founded in 1967. The organization mobilizes community resources to address critical social needs across central Minnesota. UWCM invests in more than 40 nonprofit human service programs and operates as a community convener and facilitator, bringing people together to address emerging needs while supporting its own initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.9M
-8.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.5M
-16.8% YoY
Grant Count
41
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$38K
-16.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To improve people's lives by mobilizing the caring power of central Minnesota.
Primary Focus Areas:
UWCM concentrates on three main community impact areas:
- Health: Mental health and addiction
- Education: Kindergarten readiness, student success, and career and college readiness
- Financial Stability: Housing and child care
The organization also provides a community safety net, ensuring access to food and emergency shelter, with initial funds raised each year directed to these critical services.
Grantmaking
UWCM distributes community impact funds to partner agencies through a structured process. Trained community volunteers, supported by UWCM staff, conduct in-depth reviews of agency funding requests and plans to meet identified community needs in basic needs and education while achieving positive results in designated goal areas.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Central Minnesota, with headquarters in Saint Cloud, Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Fiscal Year (2024):
- Total Revenues: $4,015,355
- Total Expenses: $4,884,527
- Total Assets: $3,871,196
- Employees: 34
Prior Year (2023):
- Revenue: $4.13 million
- Expenses: $5.16 million
- Total Assets: $4.21 million
- Total Liabilities: $1.2 million
Audit Findings: An independent audit for the fiscal year ending June 2024 identified a material weakness in internal controls, noting a deficiency in internal financial or governance controls that could limit the organization's ability to track and report financial data reliably.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,871,196 | $4,207,561 | $5,156,621 |
| Revenue | $4,015,355 | $4,133,653 | $4,184,871 |
| Expenses | $4,884,527 | $5,163,781 | $4,536,631 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $68,547 | $66,392 | $95,556 |
| 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
195 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Catholic Charities ($282,510), Boys & Girls Club of Central Mn ($169,325), Central Mn Mental Health Ctr ($80,160).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALIGN LEARNING CENTER WAITE PARK, MN | CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $29,925 |
| BIG BROTHERSBIG SISTERS SAINT CLOUD, MN | CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $73,150 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF CENTRAL MN SAINT CLOUD, MN | CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $169,325 |
| CAREER SOLUTIONS SAINT CLOUD, MN | CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $13,300 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES SAINT CLOUD, MN | CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $282,510 |
| CENTRAL MINNESOTA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SAINT CLOUD, MN | CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $14,250 |
| CENTRAL MN MENTAL HEALTH CTR WAITE PARK, MN | CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $80,160 |
| CENTRAL MN SEXUAL ASSAULT CTR SAINT CLOUD, MN | CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $17,200 |
| CENTRAL MN YOUTH FOR CHRIST SAINT CLOUD, MN | CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $10,450 |
| CHILDCARE CHOICES DBA MILESTONES WAITE PARK, MN | CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $67,260 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Stephen Jones – President & Chief Executive Officer
Lora Czech – Finance Director
Jessica Houle – Vice President
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEPHEN JONES | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $126,179 |
| TRICIA BIGAOUETTE | VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE & OPERATIONS | 40 | $103,080 |
| KEVIN LYNCH | FORMER INTERIM CEO | 40 | $49,100 |
| BOB MAHOWALD | CHAIR ELECT | 0.5 | — |
| STEVE WINDFELDT | CHAIR | 0.5 | — |
| JASPER ASPLIN | BOARD TREASURER | 0.25 | — |
| HEATHER HOSKINS | BOARD SECRETARY | 0.25 | — |
| PETER COBORN | BOARD MEMBER | 0.25 | — |
| JENNIFER LAWRENCE | BOARD MEMBER | 0.25 | — |
| MATTHEW NIKODYM | BOARD MEMBER | 0.25 | — |
| SCOTT PALMER | BOARD MEMBER | 0.25 | — |
| JOY PLAMANN | BOARD MEMBER | 0.25 | — |
| MIKE SCHLOUGH | BOARD MEMBER | 0.25 | — |
| AMBER SCHOENHERR | BOARD MEMBER | 0.25 | — |
| DONNA SCHOLER | BOARD MEMBER | 0.25 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
UWCM received a $2.3 million three-year grant
United Way Awarded $2.3 Million Three Year GrantThe organization was awarded a grant to help educate central Minnesota residents about financial aid forms
Central Minnesota Community Foundation Grants $40K to Local OrganizationsUWCM announced nearly $3.5 million in community investments
United Way of Central Minnesota Making Nearly $3.5M InvestmentsFrequently Asked Questions
What does United Way of Central Minnesota fund?
**Mission:** To improve people's lives by mobilizing the caring power of central Minnesota. **Primary Focus Areas:** UWCM concentrates on three main community impact areas: • **Health:** Mental health and addiction • **Education:** Kindergarten readiness, student success, and career and college readiness • **Financial Stability:** Housing and child care The organization also provides a community safety net, ensuring access to food and emergency shelter, with initial funds raised each year direc…
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Central Minnesota?
UWCM distributes community impact funds to partner agencies through a structured process. Trained community volunteers, supported by UWCM staff, conduct in-depth reviews of agency funding requests and plans to meet identified community needs in basic needs and education while achieving positive results in designated goal areas. Recent grantmaking activity includes nearly $3.5 million in investments announced by the organization.
Where does United Way of Central Minnesota make grants?
Central Minnesota, with headquarters in Saint Cloud, Minnesota.
What size grants does United Way of Central Minnesota award?
In 2024, United Way of Central Minnesota awarded 41 grants totaling $1.5M — an average of about $38K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is United Way of Central Minnesota's EIN?
United Way of Central Minnesota's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-0915124. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of Central Minnesota's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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