United Way of Central Ohio Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Columbus, OH EIN: 31-4393712

United Way of Central Ohio Inc is a public charity based in Columbus, Ohio. It mobilizes people, nonprofits, businesses and government to address poverty and community needs, with work that includes supporting families in crisis and helping children succeed in school and in life.

United Way of Central Ohio Inc at a glance

In short: United Way of Central Ohio Inc gave $11.9M across 197 grants in 2025 (avg $60K), mostly in Ohio. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2025)
$11,863,439
-5.1% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
197
-1.0% vs 2024
Average grant
$60,221
-4.1% vs 2024
Median grant
$22,500
Total assets
$39,458,269
+9.1% vs 2024
New grantees (estimate)
0% first-time grantees (0 of 155, 2025)
Primary geography
Ohio (92% 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 Ohio Inc

Invitation Only

The 2025–2026 process was invitation-only for nonprofits then receiving 2024–2025 funding, with applications submitted through the funder’s application process. The earlier 2024–2025 cycle allowed current funded partners and new applicants to submit a letter of intent.

Review Cycle
January 31, 2025, for the 2025–2026 invited-partner process; this deadline has passed.
Deadline
January 31, 2025, for the 2025–2026 invited-partner process; this deadline has passed.
Contact

Mailing address: 215 N Front St Suite 600, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 227-2700

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who United Way of Central Ohio Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Funding for Internal Initiatives: $767KFunding for InternalInitiatives$767KCommunity Shelter Board: $756K across 2 grantsCommunity Shelter Board$756K · 2 grantsCommunity Shares of Mid-Ohio: $573KCommunity Shares of Mid-Ohio$573KYMCA of Central Ohio: $537K across 2 grantsYMCA of Central Ohio$537K · 2 grantsColumbus Early Learning Centers: $427K across 2 grantsColumbus Early LearningCenters$427K · 2 grantsDirections for Youth and Families: $389K across 2 grantsDirections for Youth andFamilies$389K · 2 grantsCHC Creating Healthier Communities (CHC): $376KCHC Creating HealthierCommunities (CHC)$376KSalvation Army - Columbus: $360K across 2 grantsSalvation Army - Columbus$360K · 2 grantsAmerica's Best Charities: $311KAmerica's Best Charities$311KLifecare Alliance: $287K across 2 grantsLifecare Alliance$287K · 2 grants

The largest 2025 recipient was Funding for Internal Initiatives ($767K). Together the top 10 received $4.8M.

Grant Size Distribution

1,197 grants across all recorded years

896<$50K137$50–100K115$100–250K28$250–500K20$500K–1M1$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 896 grants of 1,197 (75%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The funder describes its work as serving Central Ohio. Its Success by Third Grade initiative focuses on Franklin County, and the 2024–2025 program investment process described a geographic scope of Franklin County and surrounding areas. In 2025, 92% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio.

Grant Distribution by State

21states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 197 itemized grants.

Cities

ColumbusWorthingtonWestervilleHilliardNew AlbanyDelawareGrove CityLarkspurCincinnatiAtlantaNew YorkAlexandriaClevelandPowellGahannaChicagoLancasterMansfieldMarysvilleNewark

Is United Way of Central Ohio Inc open to new grantees?

0%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 0 of 155 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. How we count

  • 100% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+1%). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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

$0$10M$20M$30M294 grants2020 305 grants2021 268 grants2022 228 grants2023 199 grants2024 197 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $11.7M (2022) to $20.5M (2020). In 2025 it made 197 grants totaling $11.9M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Funding for Internal Initiatives Columbus, OHDonor/Volunteer Designated for Program Support$766,523
Community Shelter Board Columbus, OHProgram Operating Costs$735,000
Community Shares of Mid-Ohio Columbus, OHDonor Designated for General Support$573,329
YMCA of Central Ohio Columbus, OHProgram Operating Costs$525,000
Columbus Early Learning Centers Columbus, OHProgram Operating Costs$420,000
CHC Creating Healthier Communities (CHC) Alexandria, VADonor Designated for General Support$376,085
Directions for Youth and Families Columbus, OHProgram Operating Costs$375,000
America's Best Charities Larkspur, CADonor Designated for General Support$311,064
Lifecare Alliance Columbus, OHProgram Operating Costs$240,000
Salvation Army - Columbus Columbus, OHDonor Designated for General Support$215,458
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2025$39,458,269$24,296,435$23,438,085$11,863,439197$1,021,901
2024$36,163,636$26,157,145$23,619,732$12,497,344199$2,516,658
2023$33,590,820$22,819,783$23,576,024$13,472,650228$412,379
2022$32,518,596$24,823,088$24,633,049$11,726,627268$219,566
2021$30,629,493$27,229,926$25,664,058$16,040,014305$235,866
2020$30,301,663$28,736,302$31,702,782$20,452,353294$308,038

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The organization’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community. Its stated purpose is to reduce poverty, and its vision is a community where everyone has the aspirations, resources and opportunities to reach their fullest potential.

United Way’s Success by Third Grade work focuses on helping children achieve reading proficiency by the end of third grade. Its stated areas for the 2025–2026 funding cycle are children’s safety and support at school, home and family stability, and child well-being. Other described work includes financial stability through Tax Time and preventing housing crises through Stable Families.

Among its 2025 grantees, Community Shelter Board describes its mission as ending homelessness through collaboration, solutions and investment in quality programs. Columbus Early Learning Centers provides early learning and childcare, while Directions for Youth and Families describes its work as building hope, healing and resilience through counseling and education. These are grantees’ own descriptions of their work.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, United Way reported 197 grants totaling $11,863,439. Grant amounts ranged from $5,051 to $766,523, with a median of $22,500.

Notable 2025 grants included $735,000 to Community Shelter Board for program operating costs; $573,329 to Community Shares of Mid-Ohio for donor-designated general support; $525,000 to YMCA of Central Ohio for program operating costs; $420,000 to Columbus Early Learning Centers for program operating costs; and $375,000 to Directions for Youth and Families for program operating costs.

The announced 2025–2026 Success by Third Grade funding approved more than $5 million for 68 local nonprofits operating 88 programs. The cycle runs from July 2025 through June 2026. The prior 2024–2025 cycle was open to current funded partners and new applicants, with a letter-of-intent deadline of January 12, 2024. For the 2025–2026 cycle, the process was closed and invitation-only to nonprofits receiving 2024–2025 funding; the submission deadline was January 31, 2025. Both deadlines have passed.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Dan Crane as chair, Barbara Benham as past chair and secretary, and Rachel Caviness as treasurer. It also lists Derrick Antwi, Mark Bidstrup, Melody Birmingham, Jeff Carper, Duane Casares and Hope Cotter as trustees, and Tal Bendor as a board fellow.

United Way of Central Ohio Inc is led by Lisa S. Courtice, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 9 of 40 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Lisa S. Courtice

    President & CEO

    On filings since 2020

    61 hrs/week

    $287K (2020) → $374K (2025)

  • Dan Crane

    Chair

    Treasurer → Incoming Chair, 2022

    Incoming Chair → Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Da'nita Abney

    Senior Human Resources Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $112K (2025)

  • Azure'd Metoyer

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Derrick Antwi

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Duane Casares

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Hope Cotter

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Martyn Redgrave

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Robert Tannous

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Steve Mason

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jeremy Gutierrez

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rocky Parker

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jeff Carper

    Trustee

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Elizabeth Martinez

    Trustee

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Bill McGee

    Trustee

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • David Lee

    Trustee

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kathryn Rainieri

    Trustee

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kenny McDonald

    Trustee

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mark Bidstrup

    Trustee

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Melody Birmingham

    Trustee

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Morgan Glasser

    Trustee

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sharee Wells

    Trustee

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Angela Chapman

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Dawn Barkley

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Doreen Delaney Crawley

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Dorian Bass

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • John Coneglio

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Matt Zarnosky

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Melissa Marino

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Seleshi Asfaw

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael Wilkos

    Vice President of Community Engagement

    Senior Vice President Community Impact → Vice President of Community Engagement, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    42 hrs/week

    $165K (2020) → $153K (2025)

  • Juliana Hardymon

    Vice President of Finance & CFO

    Vice President of Finance → Vice President of Finance & CFO, 2025

    On filings since 2022

    45 hrs/week

    $115K (2022) → $155K (2025)

  • Kourtni Hatton

    Vice President Chief People & Equity Officer

    Vice President Community Eng & Cdeio → Vice President Chief People & Equity Officer, 2025

    On filings since 2023

    40 hrs/week

    $103K (2023) → $138K (2025)

  • Cheryl Wyatt

    Vice President Success By Third Grade

    On filings since 2024

    40 hrs/week

    $141K (2024) → $150K (2025)

  • Mary Birchard

    Vice President of Resource Development

    On filings since 2024

    39 hrs/week

    $142K (2024) → $159K (2025)

  • Melanie Gresson

    Vice President It & Cic

    Vice President Resource Develpoment & CDO → Vice President It & Cic, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    42 hrs/week

    $114K (2024) → $128K (2025)

  • David Reierson

    Vice President Public Partnerships

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $137K (2025)

  • Barbara Benham

    Past Chair & Secretary

    Incoming Chair → Chair, 2022

    Chair → Past Chair & Secretary, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rachel Caviness

    Treasurer

    Trustee → Treasurer, 2024

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tal Bendor

    Board Fellow

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (30)
  • Former: Adam Lewin (2020–2024) — Trustee
  • Former: Cheryl Nelson (2020–2024) — Senior Vice President Finance & CFO
  • Former: Mark Fluharty (2020–2024) — Trustee
  • Former: Michael Irving (2021–2024) — Trustee
  • Former: Peter Lore (2021–2024) — Trustee
  • Former: Valerie Ridgeway (2021–2024) — Vice President Community Impact -
  • Former: Brooke Wagner (2022–2024) — Trustee
  • Former: Marlon Moore (2022–2024) — Trustee
  • Former: Ryan Schmiesing (2024) — Trustee
  • Former: Carrie Harris-Muller (2020–2023) — Trustee
  • Former: Donald Brown (2020–2023) — Past Chair
  • Former: Elise Spriggs (2020–2023) — Trustee
  • Former: Talisa Dixon (2020–2023) — Trustee
  • Former: Trudy Bartley (2020–2023) — Trustee
  • Former: Raja Sundararajan (2021–2023) — Treasurer
  • Former: Stephanie Harris (2021–2023) — Former Senior Vice President Resource Development
  • Former: Toshia Safford (2020–2022) — Trustee
  • Former: Meredith Schwager (2022) — Board Fellow
  • Former: Joe Chlapaty (2020–2021) — Trustee
  • Former: Katrina Burrier (2020–2021) — Former Senior Vice President Resource Development
  • Former: Lisa Ingram (2020–2021) — Past Chair
  • Former: Tim King (2020–2021) — Trustee
  • Former: Byron Ekey (2021) — Trustee
  • Former: Shayne Downton (2021) — Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
  • Former: Chad Jester (2020) — Trustee
  • Former: Chris Bair (2020) — Board Fellow
  • Former: Fred Ransier (2020) — Trustee
  • Former: Lana Hillebrand (2020) — Trustee
  • Former: Msgr Joseph Hendricks (2020) — Trustee
  • Former: Virginia Nunes Gutierrez (2020) — Secretary

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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

Lisa Courtice — President & CEO: $374KLisa CourticePresident & CEO$374KMary Birchard — VP of Resource Development: $159KMary BirchardVP of Resource Development$159KJuliana Hardymon — VP of Finance and CFO: $155KJuliana HardymonVP of Finance and CFO$155KMichael Wilkos — VP of Community Engagement: $153KMichael WilkosVP of Community Engagement$153KCheryl Wyatt — VP Success by Third Grade: $150KCheryl WyattVP Success by Third Grade$150KKourtni Hatton — VP Chief People & Equity Officer: $138KKourtni HattonVP Chief People & Equity Officer$138KDavid Reierson — VP Public Partnerships: $137KDavid ReiersonVP Public Partnerships$137KMelanie Gresson — VP It and CIC: $128KMelanie GressonVP It and CIC$128KDa'nita Abney — Senior Human Resources Director: $112KDa'nita AbneySenior Human Resources Director$112K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $374K, to Lisa Courtice (President & CEO). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about United Way of Central Ohio Inc

How much does United Way of Central Ohio Inc give each year?

United Way of Central Ohio Inc gave $11.9M across 197 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $12.5M across 199 grants.

What is United Way of Central Ohio Inc's typical grant size?

United Way of Central Ohio Inc's median grant in 2025 was $22,500, and its average grant was $60,221, across 197 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.

Where does United Way of Central Ohio Inc give grants?

United Way of Central Ohio Inc gives mostly in Ohio: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Columbus, OH (156 grants), Worthington, OH (5 grants), Grove City, OH (3 grants) and Westerville, OH (3 grants).

Does United Way of Central Ohio Inc give general operating support?

Yes: 98% of United Way of Central Ohio Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (193 of 197) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Donor/Volunteer Designated for Program Support" (4 grants).

Who are United Way of Central Ohio Inc's largest grantees?

United Way of Central Ohio Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Funding for Internal Initiatives ($766,523), Community Shelter Board ($755,602 across 2 grants) and Community Shares of Mid-Ohio ($573,329), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is United Way of Central Ohio Inc?

United Way of Central Ohio Inc reported $39.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $24.3M.

What does United Way of Central Ohio Inc fund?

The organization’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community. Its stated purpose is to reduce poverty, and its vision is a community where everyone has the aspirations, resources and opportunities to reach their fullest potential. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Central Ohio Inc?

The 2025–2026 process was invitation-only for nonprofits then receiving 2024–2025 funding, with applications submitted through the funder’s application process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is United Way of Central Ohio Inc's EIN?

United Way of Central Ohio Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-4393712. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.

Data update history

(7)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 17, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 16, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 11, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 15, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 7, 2025)
  6. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 26, 2025)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). United Way of Central Ohio Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-central-ohio-inc-morg_36ebafe7dd8a424ea78df23f1dedb6e7

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_314393712_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{United Way of Central Ohio Inc funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-central-ohio-inc-morg_36ebafe7dd8a424ea78df23f1dedb6e7},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Ohio Inc'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.

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