United Way of Haywood County Inc logo

United Way of Haywood County Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Waynesville, NC EIN: 23-7112548 Website

United Way of Haywood County Inc is a public charity based in Waynesville, North Carolina. It supports community needs through funding for member agencies and community problem-solving efforts, with the organization’s website identifying education, health, and financial stability as its focus areas.

Key facts about United Way of Haywood County Inc

In short: United Way of Haywood County Inc gave $212K across 15 grants in 2025 (avg $14K), mostly in North Carolina. 7% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

EIN
23-7112548
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$212,140
Grants made (2025)
15
Average grant
$14,143
Median grant
$10,000
New grantees (estimate)
7% first-time grantees (1 of 15, 2025; small sample)
Total assets
$1,906,930
Primary geography
North Carolina (95% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
How to apply
The agency grant application page says applications for 2026 are closed. Full details ↓
Deadline
The stated deadline for 2026–2027 applications was Thursday, March 18 at 4:00 p.m.

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

$1.9M

+128.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$212K

+34.4% YoY

Grant Count

15

+15.4% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$14K

+16.5% YoY

Is United Way of Haywood County Inc open to new grantees?

7%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 1 of 15 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $40K; repeat grants $12K. How we count

Medians: $40K first-time, $10K repeat.

  • 87% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−11%). 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.

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

Mission & Focus Areas

The organization’s stated mission is “to improve the quality of life in Haywood County by uniting community volunteer funding efforts.” Its website describes education, health, and financial stability as building blocks for quality of life. Its filing describes agency allocations to member organizations and community problem-solving, including Day of Caring projects.

In 2025, grants included support for organizations addressing family and crisis needs, seniors, flood assistance, basic needs, special needs, and children and youth. Grantee missions illustrate the work supported: REACH of Haywood County says it serves victims of rape or domestic violence through an emergency shelter and referral agency; MANNA Food Bank says it works to end hunger in Western North Carolina; HIGHTS says it works to transform youth in the region; and Haywood Pathways Center says it provides food, shelter, and individualized supportive services for Haywood County residents. WNC Communities describes its work as strengthening mountain communities through community development, agriculture, and forest health.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, the organization reported 15 grants totaling $212,140. Grants ranged from $5,640 to $40,000, with a median of $10,000. Notable awards included $40,000 to Haywood Advancement; $22,000 to REACH of Haywood County; $20,000 to Meals on Wheels; $18,000 to KARE; $15,000 to WNC Communities; and $13,500 to MANNA Food Bank. Other listed awards included $11,000 to LifeWorks with Christian Women’s, and $10,000 each to Arc of Haywood, Community Kitchen, Haywood Pathways Center, HIGHTS, and the Salvation Army.

Review Cycle

The stated deadline for 2026–2027 applications was Thursday, March 18 at 4:00 p.m. This is a past cycle.

How to Apply

The agency grant application page says applications for 2026 are closed. It instructs applicants to include the 2026 Grant Application Expenditures Form and says applications without it may not be accepted.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The organization is based in Waynesville, North Carolina. In 2025, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina and 5% to recipients in Virginia.

Grant Distribution by State

2states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.

Cities

WaynesvilleAshevilleAlexandriaCantonClydeCullowheeLake Junalusksa

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100K$200K$300K12 grants2020 14 grants2021 13 grants2022 13 grants2023 13 grants2024 15 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $128K (2020) to $239K (2022). In 2025 it made 15 grants totaling $212K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Haywood Advancement: $40KHaywood Advancement$40KReach of Haywood County: $22KReach of Haywood County$22KMeals on Wheels: $20KMeals on Wheels$20KKare: $18KKare$18KWNC Communities: $15KWNC Communities$15KManna Food Bank: $14KManna Food Bank$14KLifeworks with Christian Womens: $11KLifeworks with ChristianWomens$11KArc of Haywood: $10KArc of Haywood$10KCommunity Kitchen: $10KCommunity Kitchen$10KHaywood Pathways Center: $10KHaywood Pathways Center$10K

The largest 2025 recipient was Haywood Advancement ($40K). Together the top 10 received $170K.

Grant Size Distribution

68 grants across all recorded years

66<$50K2$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 66 grants of 68 (97%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Haywood Advancement Waynesville, NC—$40,000
Reach of Haywood County Waynesville, NCFamily/Crisis$22,000
Meals on Wheels Asheville, NCSeniors$20,000
Kare Waynesville, NCFamily/Crisis$18,000
WNC Communities Asheville, NCFlood Assistance$15,000
Manna Food Bank Asheville, NCBasic Needs$13,500
Lifeworks with Christian Womens Clyde, NCFamily/Crisis$11,000
Arc of Haywood Waynesville, NCSpecial$10,000
Community Kitchen Canton, NCBasic Needs$10,000
Haywood Pathways Center Waynesville, NCBasic Needs$10,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants reported
2025 $1,906,930 $2,657,367 $1,577,683 $212,140 (15 grants)
2024 $836,282 $1,739,910 $1,797,188 $157,800 (13 grants)
2023 $892,185 $361,257 $622,067 $154,300 (13 grants)
Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$1M$2M$3M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$1,906,930$836,282$892,185
Revenue$2,657,367$1,739,910$361,257
Expenses$1,577,683$1,797,188$622,067
Net Investment Income$29,168$26,968$8,575

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 4, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 14, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 6, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 16, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 21, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Jeff Haynes as president, Danielle Wittekind as secretary, and Megan Wyatt as treasurer. Directors listed are Wesley Allison, Paige Bridges, Devon Bush, Rick Chandler, Denise Coleman, Audrey Gaddis, and Summer Lindsay.

United Way of Haywood County Inc is led by Jeff Haynes, President since 2025 (on filings since 2022); 1 of 18 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Jeff Haynes

    President

    Director → President, 2025

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Audrey Gaddis

    Director

    Secretary → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Chad McMahon

    Director

    Director → Treasurer, 2023

    Treasurer → Director, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Denise Coleman

    Director

    Treasurer → Director, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Holly Rogers

    Director

    Vice President → Director, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Paige Bridges

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rick Chandler

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Catherine Wiedman-Smirnov

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Devon Bush

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jodi Wijewickrama

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Summer Lindsay

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Travis Tallent

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Wesley Allison

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jody Nichols

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mitchell Rathbone

    Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Celesa Willett

    Executive Di

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $47K (2020) → $50K (2025)

  • Danielle Wittekind

    Secretary

    Director → President, 2023

    President → Secretary, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Megan Wyatt

    Treasurer

    Director → Treasurer, 2024

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (12)
  • Former: Jeff Schandevel (2020–2024) — Director
  • Former: Joe Yagatich (2022–2024) — Director
  • Former: Tara Keilberg (2020–2023) — Director
  • Former: Wendy Hines (2020–2023) — Vice President
  • Former: Rick Mehaffey Jr. (2021–2023) — Director
  • Former: Walton Shepherd (2022) — Director
  • Former: Jeremy Phillips (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Sharon Lanning (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Caitlin Heise (2020) — Director Thr
  • Former: Fred Waring (2020) — Director
  • Former: Joey Webb (2020) — Director
  • Former: Lewis Clark (2020) — Director

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

Celesa Willett — Executive Di: $50KCelesa WillettExecutive Di$50K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $50K, to Celesa Willett (Executive Di).

Contact

Mailing address: PO Box 1139, Waynesville, NC 28786
Phone: (828) 356-2832
Website: https://uwhaywood.org

Frequently asked questions about United Way of Haywood County Inc

How much does United Way of Haywood County Inc give each year?

United Way of Haywood County Inc gave $212K across 15 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $158K across 13 grants.

What is United Way of Haywood County Inc's typical grant size?

United Way of Haywood County Inc's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $14,143, across 15 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of Haywood County Inc that year got $40K on average.

Where does United Way of Haywood County Inc give grants?

United Way of Haywood County Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Waynesville, NC (8 grants) and Asheville, NC (3 grants).

Does United Way of Haywood County Inc give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on United Way of Haywood County Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Basic Needs" (5 grants) and "Family/Crisis" (3 grants).

Who are United Way of Haywood County Inc's largest grantees?

United Way of Haywood County Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Haywood Advancement ($40,000), Reach of Haywood County ($22,000) and Meals on Wheels ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is United Way of Haywood County Inc?

United Way of Haywood County Inc reported $1.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.7M.

What does United Way of Haywood County Inc fund?

The organization’s stated mission is “to improve the quality of life in Haywood County by uniting community volunteer funding efforts.” Its website describes education, health, and financial stability as building blocks for quality of life. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Haywood County Inc?

The agency grant application page says applications for 2026 are closed. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is United Way of Haywood County Inc's EIN?

United Way of Haywood County Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7112548. 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.

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