United Way of Fairfield County
United Way of Fairfield County is a public charity based in Lancaster, Ohio. It funds programs and partner agencies serving Fairfield County, with stated priorities that include youth opportunity, community health, financial security, and community resiliency.
Key facts about United Way of Fairfield County
In short: United Way of Fairfield County gave $877K across 20 grants in 2025 (avg $44K), mostly in Ohio. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 31-0644804
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $877,094
- Grants made (2025)
- 20
- Average grant
- $43,855
- Median grant
- $50,491
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 20, 2025; small sample)
- Total assets
- $2,132,127
- Primary geography
- Ohio (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Deadline
- January 28, 2027, as listed for the grant program.
- Next open deadline
- January 28, 2027 (Community Impact Councils Grant Program)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$2.1M
+1.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$877K
-4.1% YoY
Grant Count
20
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$44K
-4.1% YoY
Is United Way of Fairfield County open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 20 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 20 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. How we count
- 100% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community. Its website describes a vision in which everyone in Fairfield County can access the services and resources needed for a successful, fulfilling life. Its Community Bold Goals are Youth Opportunity, Healthy Community, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency. The organization says it funds programs supporting these goals.
The organization’s 2024 filing describes partnerships with 24 Fairfield County health and human service agencies and funding for 26 programs addressing education, health, and financial stability. Examples of supported organizations include Maywood Mission, whose stated mission is to “provide relief / promote welfare for unfortunate people,” and Harcum House, which says it works to reduce trauma and enhance healing through advocacy, education, and outreach. Canal Winchester Human Services says it connects people, resources, and compassion to support its local community.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, United Way of Fairfield County reported 20 grants totaling $877,094. Grant amounts ranged from $7,179 to $90,931, with a median of $50,491. Notable grants included $90,931 to Fairfield Center for Disabilities for transportation/adult programs; $82,316 to Information and Referral for 2-1-1; $67,001 to Lutheran Social Services for emergency shelter/pantry; and $57,430 each to Big Brothers Big Sisters for youth mentoring and Maywood Mission for childcare.
The organization accepts applications annually through its Community Impact Councils. Applications are reviewed by Impact Councils, which make recommendations to the Board of Trustees after application review, site-visit discussions, and committee discussions; the board approves funding decisions. The application materials include a grant application worksheet and budget worksheets, and applicants submit through an online application. Funding is for a July 1–June 30 fiscal year. The FY27 application cycle opened November 26, 2025, and closed January 30, 2026; that cycle has passed. Year-end reports for the prior fiscal year are due by the fourth Friday in July.
Review Cycle
January 28, 2027, as listed for the grant program.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from United Way of Fairfield County
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Fairfield County?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s stated program and funding focus is Fairfield County, Ohio. All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $328K (2021) to $915K (2024). In 2025 it made 20 grants totaling $877K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Fairfield Center for Disabilities ($91K). Together the top 10 received $626K.
Grant Size Distribution
100 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 58 grants of 100 (58%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fairfield Center for Disabilities Lancaster, OH | TRSP/Adult Programs | $90,931 |
| Information and Referral Lancaster, OH | 2-1-1 | $82,316 |
| Lutheran Social Services Lancaster, OH | Emerg Shelter/Pantry | $67,001 |
| Big Brothersbig Sisters Lancaster, OH | Youth Mentoring | $57,430 |
| Maywood Mission Lancaster, OH | Childcare | $57,430 |
| Salvation Army Lancaster, OH | Adult Day Care | $57,430 |
| Lighthouse Lancaster, OH | Emerg Prot Shelter | $57,430 |
| Pickerington Food Pantry Pickerington, OH | Food Pantry | $52,644 |
| Robert K Fox Family Y Lancaster, OH | Scholarships/Childca | $51,688 |
| Pickerington Schoolswise Pickerington, OH | After School Program | $51,209 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,132,127 | $1,524,463 | $1,566,294 | $877,094 |
| 2024 | $2,107,810 | $1,524,315 | $1,736,689 | $915,000 |
| 2023 | $2,185,231 | $1,600,637 | $1,701,730 | $894,500 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,132,127 | $2,107,810 | $2,185,231 |
| Revenue | $1,524,463 | $1,524,315 | $1,600,637 |
| Expenses | $1,566,294 | $1,736,689 | $1,701,730 |
| Net Investment Income | $52,917 | $62,465 | $27,440 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 11, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Melissa Dever as current CEO and Christine Simmons as former CEO. It also lists Nathan Hale as president, Theresa Byers as vice president, Keith Kumler as past president, and Gareth Boyd, Kelly Brown, Steve Davis, and Mark Matthews as trustees.
United Way of Fairfield County is led by Christine Simmons, CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 19 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Christine Simmons
CEO
President → CEO Current, 2024
CEO Current → CEO, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$37K (2024) → $55K (2025)
Melissa Dever
CEO Current
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$26K (2025)
Nathan Hale
President
Trustee → Treasurer, 2024
Treasurer → President, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sky Gettys
Director of
CFO → Director of, 2023
On filings since 2021
35 hrs/week
$56K (2023) → $66K (2025)
Evan Saunders
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jd Postage
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gareth Boyd
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Pekar
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Matthews
Trustee
On filings since 2024
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Davis
Trustee
On filings since 2024
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Palmer
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Courtney Wright
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jean Robertson
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Brown
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keith Kumler
Past President
Vice President → President, 2024
President → Past President, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Becky Schaade
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Moentmann
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Theresa Byers
Vice President
Trustee → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Garrett Davis
Finance
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (22)
- Former: Gail Chrisley (2020–2024) — Vice President
- Former: Rick Lemonds (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Carrie Woody (2023–2024) — CEO
- Former: Robin Rhodes (2023–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Amy Lare (2024) — Trustee
- Former: Jeffrey Porter (2020–2023) — Past President
- Former: Matt Donald (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Darrin Monhollen (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Deborah Silvia (2020–2021) — Director of
- Former: Guy Nevers (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Kim Devitt (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Luann Snyder (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Scott Reed (2020–2021) — CEO
- Former: Elizabeth Fox (2021) — Past President
- Former: Jennifer Sitterley (2021) — President
- Former: Robin Rhodes-Harris (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Bob Competti (2020) — Campaign Cha
- Former: Jennifer Sitterley Baum (2020) — 1st Vice President
- Former: Jim Justus Jr. (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Katheryn Cornelius-Blume (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Liz Fox (2020) — President
- Former: Vonnie McDonald (2020) — Trustee
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
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $66K, to Sky Gettys (Director of). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 115 S Broad St, Lancaster, OH 43130
Phone: (740) 653-0643
Website: https://uwayfairfieldco.org
Frequently asked questions about United Way of Fairfield County
How much does United Way of Fairfield County give each year?
United Way of Fairfield County gave $877K across 20 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $915K across 20 grants.
What is United Way of Fairfield County's typical grant size?
United Way of Fairfield County's median grant in 2025 was $50,491, and its average grant was $43,855, across 20 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does United Way of Fairfield County give grants?
United Way of Fairfield County gives mostly in Ohio: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lancaster, OH (14 grants) and Pickerington, OH (2 grants).
Does United Way of Fairfield County give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 20 grants with a stated purpose on United Way of Fairfield County's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Food Pantry" (3 grants).
Who are United Way of Fairfield County's largest grantees?
United Way of Fairfield County's largest 2025 grantees include Fairfield Center for Disabilities ($90,931), Information and Referral ($82,316) and Lutheran Social Services ($67,001), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of Fairfield County?
United Way of Fairfield County reported $2.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.5M.
What does United Way of Fairfield County fund?
The organization’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community. Its website describes a vision in which everyone in Fairfield County can access the services and resources needed for a successful, fulfilling life. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Fairfield County?
United Way of Fairfield County has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check uwayfairfieldco.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is United Way of Fairfield County's EIN?
United Way of Fairfield County's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-0644804. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching United Way of Fairfield County by hand.
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