United Way of Greater Charlotte Inc
United Way of Greater Charlotte is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Charlotte, North Carolina, serving a four-county region home to nearly 1.5 million people. Founded in 1931, the organization operates as a community investment and grantmaking entity dedicated to mobilizing community resources to address urgent regional challenges. The organization employs approximately 38-60 staff members and maintains its headquarters at 601 East 5th Street, Suite 350, Charlotte, NC 28202.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$32.2M
+5.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$10.6M
-18.4% YoY
Grant Count
186
-7.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$57K
-12.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
United Way of Greater Charlotte's mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of their community. The organization uses collective giving to build pathways to economic opportunity, primarily through neighborhood and grassroots-based investments and responsive solutions.
The organization's strategic focus areas include:
- Economic Mobility: Addressing the challenge that Charlotte-Mecklenburg ranked 50th out of 50 among the largest U.S. cities in economic mobility, with a particular focus on breaking the cycle of poverty tied to zip code and neighborhood
- Community Investment: Funding more than 100 local nonprofit agencies and initiatives annually across education, health, and financial stability
- Neighborhood Revitalization: Supporting resident-driven efforts to improve economic mobility through initiatives like United Neighborhoods, which focuses on neighborhood-based community development
- Housing and Upward Mobility: Investing in housing solutions and initiatives that lift families out of poverty
- Safety Net Services: Providing support for people and families in need across the region
Grantmaking
United Way of Greater Charlotte distributes significant grant funding to local nonprofits and initiatives:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
United Way of Greater Charlotte serves a four-county region in North Carolina and South Carolina, with primary focus on:
- Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
- Additional counties within the greater Charlotte region
- Secondary funding activity in South Carolina and New York
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $32,199,529
- Total Revenue: $20,608,188
- Total Expenses: $19,916,731
- Total Liabilities: $7,810,000 (as of 2023)
- Total Giving: $12,634,779
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $30,400,000
- Total Revenue: $20,900,000
- Total Expenses: $20,800,000
The organization maintains a strong financial position and has received a perfect 100% rating reflecting outstanding accountability and financial health.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $32,199,529 | $30,441,279 | $28,665,296 |
| Revenue | $20,608,188 | $20,880,064 | $24,251,139 |
| Expenses | $19,916,731 | $20,796,013 | $20,846,388 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $495,104 | $555,834 | $632,369 |
| 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
200 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- President & CEO: Kathryn Firmin-Sellers
- Board Member: Ron Messenger
- Associate Vice President, Donor Operations: Kendra Green
- Director of Research and Evaluation: Khalil Salim
- Director, Volunteer Center: Leslie Rink
- Chief Marketing Officer: Cassie Hutaff Boesch
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVALEEN CRAWFORD WILLIAMS | FINANCE VICE CHAIR | 3 | — |
| BEAU FISHER | BOARD DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BILL CURRENS | BOARD CHAIR | 3 | — |
| BRIAN MIDDLETON | COMMUNITY IMPACT CHAIR | 3 | — |
| CATHY CAMPBELL | CAMPAIGN CHAIR | 3 | — |
| DENA R DIORIO | BOARD DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DENNIS WILLIAMS | BOARD DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HANK ALSTON | CABARRUS COUNTY CHAIR | 3 | — |
| HEATHER TAMOL | BOARD DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HENDRICK ELLIS | CAMPAIGN VICE CHAIR | 3 | — |
| JOHN FAGG | BOARD DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KEITH GIDDENS | FINANCE VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JOE WALL | FINANCE CHAIR | 3 | — |
| LULA JACKSON | ANSON COUNTY CHAIR | 3 | — |
| MARCEL SOLOMON | VOLUNTEER ADVISORY REP | 1 | — |
| MICHELE JULIANA | BOARD DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MITCH GIBSON | COMMUNITY IMPACT VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| PAMELA WIDEMAN | BOARD DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RAJ NATARAJAN | BOARD DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| RHETT BROWN | UNION COUNTY CHAIR | 3 | — |
| RON MESSENGER | SECOND VICE CHAIR | 3 | — |
| SHAWN HEATH | BOARD DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SIL GANZO | PARTNER AGENCY REP | 1 | — |
| TODD PEARCE | BOARD DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| WILL PITTS | BOARD DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HEATHER KESNER | BOARD DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LORETTA AYERS | BOARD DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL J O'LEARY | BOARD DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LAURA YATES CLARK | PRESIDENT/CEO | 40 | $344,750 |
| KATHRYN FIRMIN-SELLERS | CHIEF IMPACT OFFICER | 40 | $169,500 |
| CLINT HILL | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 40 | $169,820 |
| KENDRA GREEN | AVP OF DONOR OPERATIONS | 40 | $113,798 |
| JAMESE IVY | DIRECTOR NEIGHBORHOOD INIT | 40 | $110,950 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
United Way of Greater Charlotte announced an investment of nearly $18 million to further its mission through resident-informed strategies
United Way Invests Nearly $18 Million to Further Its Mission Through Resident-InformedThe organization committed to making $17.9 million in donations across its four-county service area
United Way of Greater Charlotte to make $17.9M donations in 4 counties |Recent investments have focused on housing initiatives and upward mobility programs designed to lift families out of poverty
United Way invests in housing, upward mobility initiatives - The CharlotteThe organization continues to expand its community investment portfolio with emphasis on affordable housing solutions and literacy initiatives
United Way invests in housing, upward mobility initiatives - The CharlotteSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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