United Way of Lee County Inc
To optimize collective resources supporting human service programs -focusing on education, health, financial stability, and basic needs -that improve the quality of life in Lee county
United Way of Lee County Inc at a glance
In short: United Way of Lee County Inc gave $358K across 21 grants in 2023 (avg $17K), mostly in Illinois. 33% of 2023 grantees were new. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $358,100
- +57.7% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 21
- +40.0% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $17,052
- +12.7% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $17,144
- Total assets
- $675,832
- +13.8% vs 2022
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (7 of 21, 2023; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2023; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who United Way of Lee County Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Open Sesame Children's Learning Centers ($28K). Together the top 10 received $231K.
Grant Size Distribution
82 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 82 grants of 82 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is United Way of Lee County Inc open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 7 of 21 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. With only 21 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $16K; repeat grants $18K. How we count
Medians: $14K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 67% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2020 to 2023 (+2%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2023). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $89K (2021) to $358K (2023). In 2023 it made 21 grants totaling $358K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Open Sesame Children's Learning Centers Dixon, IL | Tuition Assistance and Equipment Replacement | $28,000 |
| Hope of Ogle County Rochelle, IL | Operating Grant - Community Well-Being | $27,688 |
| Lee County Council on Aging Dixon, IL | Outreach and Transportation | $27,000 |
| Sinnissippi Centers Inc (SCI) Dixon, IL | Operating Grant - Community Well-Being | $25,000 |
| Lutheran Social Services of Illinois Nachusa, IL | School Based Counseling, Substance Abuse, and Youth Programs | $24,681 |
| Village of Progress Oregon, IL | Operating Grant - Community Well-Being | $22,294 |
| Dixon Family YMCA Dixon, IL | Operating Grant - Financial Assistance Program | $21,000 |
| Shining Star Children's Advocacy Center Dixon, IL | Operating Grant - Community Well-Being | $19,119 |
| Teen Turf Inc Amboy, IL | Operating Grant - Community Well-Being | $19,000 |
| Rock River Center Oregon, IL | Operating Grant - Community Well-Being | $17,288 |
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Lee County Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $675,832 | $500,706 | $517,369 | $358,100 | 21 | $1,561 |
| 2022 | $594,011 | $339,488 | $330,750 | $227,050 | 15 | $915 |
| 2021 | $445,657 | $293,834 | $338,017 | $88,750 | 9 | $777 |
| 2020 | $455,604 | $473,560 | $513,724 | $352,706 | 19 | $2,499 |
| 2019 | $511,372 | $434,606 | $379,459 | $271,750 | 18 | $416 |
About United Way of Lee County Inc
Based on IRS filings
United Way of Lee County Inc is a public charity focused on Human Services, based in Dixon, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2023. As of 2023, the organization holds $676K in total assets. In 2023, it awarded 21 grants totaling $358K. Net investment income was $2K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
United Way of Lee County Inc is led by Jennifer Heintzelman, President since 2023 (on filings since 2019); none of the 20 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Jennifer Heintzelman
President
Director → Vice President, 2020
Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Darla Foulker
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jamie Curia
Director
President → Past President, 2020
Past President → Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Lang
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Helfrich
Director
Past President → Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristina McWethy
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Mills
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lynn Roe
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter Shaw
Director
Vice President → President, 2020
President → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Partington
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Como
Director
New on the 2023 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deb Trancoso Termed
Director
New on the 2023 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dianne Frye Termed
Director
New on the 2023 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heather Tinsman
Director
New on the 2023 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Maytermed
Director
New on the 2023 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Samantha Ciaccio
Director
New on the 2023 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Glenn
Director
New on the 2023 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Cook
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Smith
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2020
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Richter
Secretary
New on the 2023 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Amanda Wike (2021–2023) — Executive Director · Filing note: Resigned 52023
- Former: Deb Trancoso (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Dianne Frye (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Jessica May (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Sam Ramirez (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Thomas McDonald (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Keri Olson (2021) — Prior Executive Director · Filing note: Resigned 221
- Former: Brad Sibley (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Jennifer Dallas (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Kayla Halfacre (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Mady Powers (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Mary Whelan (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Tessa Smice (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Cathy Jecklin (2019) — Director
- Former: Joan Giblin (2019) — Director
- Former: Tim Broos (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about United Way of Lee County Inc
How much does United Way of Lee County Inc give each year?
United Way of Lee County Inc gave $358K across 21 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990. In 2022 it gave $227K across 15 grants.
What is United Way of Lee County Inc's typical grant size?
United Way of Lee County Inc's median grant in 2023 was $17,144, and its average grant was $17,052, across 21 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of Lee County Inc that year got $16K on average.
Where does United Way of Lee County Inc give grants?
United Way of Lee County Inc gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Dixon, IL (11 grants), Rochelle, IL (3 grants), Oregon, IL (3 grants) and Rockford, IL (2 grants).
Does United Way of Lee County Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 81% of United Way of Lee County Inc's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (17 of 21) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990.
Who are United Way of Lee County Inc's largest grantees?
United Way of Lee County Inc's largest 2023 grantees include Open Sesame Children's Learning Centers ($28,000), Hope of Ogle County ($27,688) and Lee County Council on Aging ($27,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of Lee County Inc?
United Way of Lee County Inc reported $676K in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $501K.
What is United Way of Lee County Inc?
United Way of Lee County Inc is a public charity focused on Human Services, based in Dixon, IL. It holds $676K in total assets as of 2023.
What is United Way of Lee County Inc's EIN?
United Way of Lee County Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6009288. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2023.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 31, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 28, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 26, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2023
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of Lee County Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
United Way of Rock River Valley
Rockford, IL
United Way of Rock River Valley funds local programs addressing childhood literacy, neighborhood needs, and related community services. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,097 to $120,000, with a median of $30,000, primarily serving Rockford and Winnebago County. It has offered competitive literacy grant requests for proposals; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$11.4M
Grants
26
Total Given
$932K
The Etnyre Foundation
Oregon, IL
The Etnyre Foundation funds nonprofit education, environmental, and health and well-being initiatives that benefit communities where Etnyre International operates. Its typical 2025 grant was about $4,800, with awards ranging from $1,615 to $23,680; most funding went to Illinois, with grants also made in several other states. It accepts applications annually from February 1 through 28.
Assets
$1.6M
Grants
40
Total Given
$194K
Dixon Community Trust
Dixon, IL
Dixon Community Trust supports a range of community, cultural, recreational, public-service, and housing needs, with its 2025 grants going to organizations in Dixon, Illinois. Its 2025 awards ranged from $1,000 to $6,000, with a median of $2,500. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.0M
Grants
11
Total Given
$31K
Rochelle Area Community Foundation
Rochelle, IL
To provide grants to various organizations supporting the arts, education, health and community
Assets
$5.0M
Grants
8
Total Given
$156K
Northwestern IL Area Agency on Aging
Rockford, IL
Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging funds services benefiting older adults and caregivers, including social, nutritional, and other supportive services. Its 2025 grants ranged from $60,000 to $5,374,901, with a median of $276,395, supporting organizations in nine northwestern Illinois counties. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.3M
Grants
12
Total Given
$10.0M
The David & Colleen Anderson Charitable Foundation
Rockford, IL
The foundation supports a range of charitable causes, including culture, health, education, social welfare, youth services, and veteran affairs. In 2024, grants ranged from $100 to $6,000, with a median of $1,500; most funding went to Illinois, followed by Wisconsin, with smaller shares going to several other states. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
83
Total Given
$152K
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from United Way of Lee County Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
United Way of Lee County Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?