United Way of Illinois Valley logo

United Way of Illinois Valley

Public charity · Grantmaker Peru, IL EIN: 36-2615431 Website

United Way of Illinois Valley is a public charity based in Peru, Illinois. Formed in 1966, it raises and distributes community resources for health and human service needs; its 2025 filing describes support for local agencies and a school-supplies program.

Key facts about United Way of Illinois Valley

In short: United Way of Illinois Valley gave $134K across 12 grants in 2026 (avg $11K), mostly in Illinois. 17% of 2026 grantees were new. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990.

EIN
36-2615431
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2026
Annual giving (2026)
$134,371
Grants made (2026)
12
Average grant
$11,198
Median grant
$9,520
New grantees (estimate)
17% first-time grantees (2 of 12, 2026; small sample)
Total assets
$594,343
Primary geography
Illinois (100% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990, 2026; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

Financial Overview

From 2026 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$594K

+2.1% YoY

Annual Giving

$134K

+41.1% YoY

Grant Count

12

+20.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$11K

+17.6% YoY

Is United Way of Illinois Valley open to new grantees?

17%

first-time grantees, 2026

In 2026, 2 of 12 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $12K. How we count

Medians: $6K first-time, $10K repeat.

  • 83% of 2026 grantees were also funded in 2025. Method
  • Giving grew 21% from 2023 to 2026. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2026). 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 of all people by gathering and distributing, in an efficient and accountable manner, community resources which respond to priority health and human service needs.”

In its 2025 filing, the organization reported providing financial support to 15 local health and human service agencies serving approximately 30,000 people through more than 14 programs. It said those programs respond to needs identified through a community needs assessment. It also described the H.U.S.K.Y. program, which supplies school materials in bulk to children from families who cannot afford them. The filing said 15–20 schools participate and approximately 2,500 children benefit annually.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2026, United Way of Illinois Valley reported 12 grants totaling $134,371. Grants ranged from $5,500 to $26,700, with a median of $9,520. The largest awards went to Illinois Valley Food Pantry ($26,700), Horizon House of IL Valley ($21,500), Lighted Way Association ($11,000), Youth Services Bureau of IV ($11,000), and Center for Youth & Family Sol ($10,900).

Other 2026 recipients included IVICL ($9,800), Prairie State Legal Services ($9,240), Mendota Area Senior Services ($8,500), Safe Journeys ($7,531), Illinois Valley YMCA ($7,100), LaSalle County CASA ($5,600), and Voluntary Action Center ($5,500). The food pantry describes its mission as providing food to needy families in the Illinois Valley area. Prairie State Legal Services describes its mission as providing or coordinating high-quality free civil legal services for low-income individuals, families, and groups. Safe Journeys describes its mission as providing free, confidential services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and working to end such violence. The Illinois Valley YMCA describes its mission as putting Christian principles into practice to build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

All grant dollars reported for filing year 2026 went to recipients in Illinois. The listed 2026 awards went to organizations in LaSalle, Peru, Ottawa, Mendota, and Streator, Illinois.

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.

States

Cities

LasalleOttawaPeruStreatorMendotaRockford

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$50K$100K$150K7 grants2020 7 grants2021 7 grants2022 10 grants2023 12 grants2024 10 grants2025 12 grants2026

From 2020 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $81K (2022) to $134K (2026). In 2026 it made 12 grants totaling $134K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2026

Illinois Valley Food Pantry: $27KIllinois Valley Food Pantry$27KHorizon House of IL Valley: $22KHorizon House of IL Valley$22KLighted Way Association: $11KLighted Way Association$11KYouth Services Bureau of IV: $11KYouth Services Bureau of IV$11KCenter for Youth & Family Sol: $11KCenter for Youth & Family Sol$11KIvicl: $10KIvicl$10KPrairie State Legal Services: $9KPrairie State Legal Services$9KMendota Area Senior Services: $9KMendota Area Senior Services$9KSafe Journeys: $8KSafe Journeys$8KIllinois Valley YMCA: $7KIllinois Valley YMCA$7K

The largest 2026 recipient was Illinois Valley Food Pantry ($27K). Together the top 10 received $123K.

Grant Size Distribution

51 grants across all recorded years

51<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 51 grants of 51 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Illinois Valley Food Pantry Lasalle, IL—$26,700
Horizon House of IL Valley Peru, IL—$21,500
Lighted Way Association Lasalle, IL—$11,000
Youth Services Bureau of IV Lasalle, IL—$11,000
Center for Youth & Family Sol Lasalle, IL—$10,900
Ivicl Lasalle, IL—$9,800
Prairie State Legal Services Ottawa, IL—$9,240
Mendota Area Senior Services Mendota, IL—$8,500
Safe Journeys Streator, IL—$7,531
Illinois Valley YMCA Peru, IL—$7,100

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2026 $594,343 $257,891 $278,319 $134,371
2025 $581,872 $319,703 $215,023 $95,246
2024 $490,546 $263,494 $257,761 $115,383
Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$100K$200K$300K$400K2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
Metric202620252024
Total Assets$594,343$581,872$490,546
Revenue$257,891$319,703$263,494
Expenses$278,319$215,023$257,761
Net Investment Income$8,564$13,326$9,216

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 August 4, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 1, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 13, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 3, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 28, 2025)
  7. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS June 8, 2026)

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2026 filing lists Betha Ghighi as Executive Director; Madison Coleman as President; Melyssa Garten as Past President; Jackson Powell as Treasurer; and Stacie Sines as Secretary. It also lists Heather Hammitt, Neal Knauf, Tony Andere, Jason Miller, and Kim Blaydes as directors.

United Way of Illinois Valley is led by Betha Ghighi, Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 17 officers listed in 2026 is compensated.

Officers on the 2026 filing

  • Betha Ghighi

    Executive Director

    Director → Executive Director, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $28K (2024) → $61K (2026)

  • Madison Coleman

    President

    Vice President → President, 2026

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    $62K (2025) → $0 (2026)

  • Neal Knauf

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kim Blaydes

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Beth Coleman- Weger

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Bob Tieman

    Director

    At Large → Director, 2026

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Brandee Bell

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Brian Inman

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jason Miller

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Maurissa Riahi

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Matt Staab

    Director

    On filings since 2025

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tony Andere

    Director

    On filings since 2025

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Heather Hammitt

    Director

    New on the 2026 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Bailee Wallace

    Vice President

    Director → Vice President, 2026

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Melyssa Garten

    Past President

    Vice President → President, 2024

    President → Past President, 2026

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jackson Powell

    Treasurer

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Stacie Sines

    Secretary

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (23)
  • Former: Spencer Luecke (2020–2025) — Past President
  • Former: Alicia Hughs (2024–2025) — Director
  • Former: Madi Brown (2024–2025) — Director
  • Former: Bill Zens (2022–2024) — Director
  • Former: Jessica Newcomer (2023–2024) — Director
  • Former: Tony Andres (2024) — Director
  • Former: John Vezzetti (2020–2023) — Past President
  • Former: Julie Sloan (2020–2023) — Executive Director
  • Former: Justin Miller (2020–2023) — Treasurer
  • Former: Kyle Loveland (2020–2023) — Director
  • Former: Laura Hein (2020–2023) — Secretary
  • Former: Bradley Bianchi (2022–2023) — Director
  • Former: Cassie Marzetta (2022–2023) — Director
  • Former: Joe Goskusky (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: Christine Hermosillo (2021–2022) — Director
  • Former: Brad Bianchi (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Jake Kotecki (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Janette Glupczynski (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Melyssa Kotecki (2020–2021) — Secretary
  • Former: Sheryl Kuzma (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Brandy Gilbreth (2020) — Director
  • Former: Jheri Emmerling (2020) — Director
  • Former: Tricia Strickler (2020) — Director

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2026 IRS filing

Betha Ghighi — Executive Dir.: $61KBetha GhighiExecutive Dir.$61K

The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $61K, to Betha Ghighi (Executive Dir.).

Contact

Mailing address: 2220 Marquette Road 102, Peru, IL 61354
Phone: (815) 223-8339
Website: https://unitedwayiv.com

Frequently asked questions about United Way of Illinois Valley

How much does United Way of Illinois Valley give each year?

United Way of Illinois Valley gave $134K across 12 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990. In 2025 it gave $95K across 10 grants.

What is United Way of Illinois Valley's typical grant size?

United Way of Illinois Valley's median grant in 2026 was $9,520, and its average grant was $11,198, across 12 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of Illinois Valley that year got $6K on average.

Where does United Way of Illinois Valley give grants?

United Way of Illinois Valley gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lasalle, IL (6 grants), Peru, IL (2 grants) and Ottawa, IL (2 grants).

Who are United Way of Illinois Valley's largest grantees?

United Way of Illinois Valley's largest 2026 grantees include Illinois Valley Food Pantry ($26,700), Horizon House of IL Valley ($21,500) and Lighted Way Association ($11,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.

How large is United Way of Illinois Valley?

United Way of Illinois Valley reported $594K in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $258K.

What does United Way of Illinois Valley fund?

The organization’s stated mission is “to improve the quality of life of all people by gathering and distributing, in an efficient and accountable manner, community resources which respond to priority health and human service needs.” See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Illinois Valley?

United Way of Illinois Valley has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check unitedwayiv.com for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

What is United Way of Illinois Valley's EIN?

United Way of Illinois Valley's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-2615431. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2026.

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

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