United Way of Illinois Valley
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.
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.
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.
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Illinois Valley?
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
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
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
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
The most common grant size was under $50K: 51 grants of 51 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Metric | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 4, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 3, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 28, 2025)
- 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
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.
Here's the math on researching United Way of Illinois Valley by hand.
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