United Way of Dekalb County Inc
United Way of DeKalb County Inc. is a public charity based in Auburn, Indiana, that brings people and resources together to support community programs. Its website describes grantmaking focused on DeKalb County residents, including people who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed (ALICE), across health, youth opportunity, financial security, and community resiliency.
United Way of Dekalb County Inc at a glance
In short: United Way of Dekalb County Inc gave $328K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $25K), mostly in Indiana. 31% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $328,330
- -22.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- -31.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $25,256
- +13.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $18,000
- Total assets
- $1,458,825
- -4.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (4 of 13, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Indiana (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to United Way of Dekalb County Inc
- How to Apply
-
The website describes ALICE and Community Impact grant processes. The filing says organizations may apply once per fiscal year per program in one of four quarterly cycles and must submit a grant report within one year of funding or when the funds are spent.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 307, Auburn, IN 46706
Phone: (260) 927-0995
Website: https://unitedwaydekalb.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who United Way of Dekalb County Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Roots of Giving ($100K). Together the top 10 received $301K.
Grant Size Distribution
126 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 120 grants of 126 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization is based in Auburn, Indiana, and its website describes its work as serving DeKalb County, Indiana. All grant dollars reported for filing year 2025 went to recipients in Indiana.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is United Way of Dekalb County Inc open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 13 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $35K; repeat grants $21K. How we count
Medians: $17K first-time, $18K repeat.
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 $328K (2025) to $669K (2021). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $328K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Roots of Giving Butler, IN | Food Pantry | $100,000 |
| Garrett Keyser Buter Community Scho Garrett, IN | Program Support | $44,455 |
| YMCA of Dekalb County Auburn, IN | Early Learning | $25,000 |
| St Martin's Healthcare Garrett, IN | Medical Services | $25,000 |
| Garrett Community Center Inc Garrett, IN | Programming Support | $25,000 |
| Junior Achievement Fort Wayne, IN | Program Support | $20,000 |
| Serenity House Inc Auburn, IN | Financial Assistance | $18,000 |
| YWCA Northeast IN Fort Wayne, IN | Community Education | $15,675 |
| Inspiration Ministries Auburn, IN | Incr. Recovery Beds | $15,000 |
| Cancer Services of Northeast IN Fort Wayne, IN | Client Advocate | $13,000 |
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Dekalb County Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,458,825 | $875,267 | $845,184 | $328,330 | 13 | $36,631 |
| 2024 | $1,524,819 | $870,744 | $883,702 | $424,790 | 19 | $43,002 |
| 2023 | $1,370,751 | $772,776 | $767,118 | $392,493 | 20 | $28,371 |
| 2022 | $1,380,141 | $738,383 | $813,939 | $426,338 | 32 | $27,831 |
| 2021 | $1,608,554 | $861,355 | $1,039,034 | $668,600 | 42 | $31,148 |
| 2020 | $1,663,139 | $986,634 | $778,061 | $445,069 | 24 | $10,139 |
| 2019 | $1,484,938 | $857,849 | $874,295 | $436,187 | 20 | $29,170 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s website states its mission is to bring people and resources together to build a healthier community, expand opportunities for youth, strengthen financial security, and foster a resilient, connected DeKalb County. Its four focus areas are:
- Healthy Community: Access to nutritious food, behavioral and physical health services, and wellness supports.
- Youth Opportunity: Learning and development, from early learning and literacy to college and career pathways.
- Financial Security: Tools, education, and resources to build stability and long-term financial independence.
- Community Resiliency: Support, resources, and connections for neighbors in times of crisis and recovery.
The organization says its ALICE funding supports programs that help households and individuals meet basic needs and build stability. The 2024 filing describes the organization as a funding organization that partners with local nonprofits and human service agencies whose programs focus on education, health, and financial stability.
Examples of grantees’ own stated missions illustrate the kinds of organizations it has supported. Garrett Community Center says its mission is to meet people where they are and walk with them toward who they are becoming. Serenity House says it provides transportation, housing, and food for people recovering from substance abuse. Inspiration Ministries says it helps people transform their lives in times of transition. Harold W. McMillen Center for Health says it provides preventive health education promoting physical, emotional, and social well-being.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 13 grants totaling $328,330. Grant amounts ranged from $6,400 to $100,000, with a median of $18,000. Its largest reported grants included:
The website lists grantees for the 2025–2026 funding cycle. Examples include $10,000 to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, $20,151 to Children First Center, and $25,000 to DeKalb County Council on Aging through Healthy Community ALICE Grants; and $5,000 to Anthony Wayne Area Council, Scouting America and $20,000 to Butler Youth Center through Youth Opportunity ALICE Grants. The website also reports a 2024–2025 Community Impact Grant of $100,000 to Roots of Giving.
The 2024 filing says the board, with trained community volunteers, reviews partner organizations’ management, financial, and programming functions annually. Each organization must submit a grant report within one year of funding or once funds are spent, describing the grant’s impact on its program and its current financial position. Organizations may apply once per fiscal year per program in one of four quarterly cycles.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists the following officers and directors: Tyler Cleverly (Executive Di), Liz Emenhiser (Vice Preside), Melissa Eshbach, Karla Benitez Estrada, Jeff Frigo, Amber Hartsough, Eric Impton, and Anton King (listed as directors); Dottie Fuentes (Secretary); and Christina Garr (President).
United Way of Dekalb County Inc is led by Christina Garr, President since 2024 (on filings since 2022); 1 of 15 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Christina Garr
President
Director → President, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Eshbach
Director
Treasurer → President, 2020
President → Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Zach Lightner
Director
Secretary → President, 2021
President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karla Benitez Estrada
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Frigo
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amber Hartsough
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anton King
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Impton
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Stezowski
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amanda Rice
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Meg Littlejohn
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tyler Cleverly
Executive Di
Director → Vice President & Executive Director Sprin, 2020
Vice President & Executive Director Sprin → Executive Di, 2021
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$14K (2020) → $88K (2025)
Dottie Fuentes
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joe O'Dell
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Liz Emenhiser
Vice President
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (18)
- Former: Tonya Weaver (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Tasha Eicher (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Jane Bitting (2024) — Director
- Former: Chris J. Clear (2019–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Julie Hook (2019–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Kyle Vanover (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Lori Kaiser (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Dave E. Bunn (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Nick Scheumann (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: David E. Bunn (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Kristina Brockhouse (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Amy Rupert (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Bret Claghorn (2019–2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Jenn Gibson (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Marcus Carlson (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Zach Washler (2019–2020) — Executive Director Fall
- Former: Ian A. Mercer (2019) — President
- Former: Rebeca Riley (2019) — Secretary
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 $88K, to Tyler Cleverly (Executive Di).
Frequently asked questions about United Way of Dekalb County Inc
How much does United Way of Dekalb County Inc give each year?
United Way of Dekalb County Inc gave $328K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $425K across 19 grants.
What is United Way of Dekalb County Inc's typical grant size?
United Way of Dekalb County Inc's median grant in 2025 was $18,000, and its average grant was $25,256, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of Dekalb County Inc that year got $35K on average.
Where does United Way of Dekalb County Inc give grants?
United Way of Dekalb County Inc gives mostly in Indiana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Fort Wayne, IN (4 grants), Garrett, IN (3 grants), Auburn, IN (3 grants) and Butler, IN (2 grants).
Does United Way of Dekalb County Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on United Way of Dekalb County Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (4 grants).
Who are United Way of Dekalb County Inc's largest grantees?
United Way of Dekalb County Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Roots of Giving ($100,000), Garrett Keyser Buter Community Scho ($44,455) and YMCA of Dekalb County ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of Dekalb County Inc?
United Way of Dekalb County Inc reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $875K.
What does United Way of Dekalb County Inc fund?
The organization’s website states its mission is to bring people and resources together to build a healthier community, expand opportunities for youth, strengthen financial security, and foster a resilient, connected DeKalb County. Its four focus areas are: See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Dekalb County Inc?
The website describes ALICE and Community Impact grant processes. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is United Way of Dekalb County Inc's EIN?
United Way of Dekalb County Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-1065714. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 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 January 7, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 17, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 20, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United Way of Dekalb County Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-dekalb-county-inc-morg_689d5bdd673e4b0898baf103ec8d6550
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_351065714_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Way of Dekalb County Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-dekalb-county-inc-morg_689d5bdd673e4b0898baf103ec8d6550},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 Dekalb County 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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