United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster logo

United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster

LINCOLN, NE EIN: 47-0376624 Website

United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County is a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 1945, headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. The organization functions as a community mobilizer and fund distribution entity, bringing together individuals and organizations to address systemic issues affecting the region. Rather than focusing on a single issue or population, United Way tackles interconnected challenges facing Lincoln and Lancaster County as a whole through partnerships with community service providers.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$11.3M

+1.2% YoY

Annual Giving

$4.5M

+1.3% YoY

Grant Count

101

-1.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$44K

+2.3% YoY

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

Mission & Focus Areas

Mission: To improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the Lincoln and Lancaster County community.

Vision: A community where every individual and family has the opportunity to thrive.

Core Values: Collaboration, Compassion, Excellence, Impact, Integrity

Strategic Pillars (2023-2028):

  • Health
  • Education
  • Financial Stability

The organization operates with an emphasis on collaboration and partnership across the entire community, a focus on innovation and modernization, through a lens of equity and inclusivity, and a high priority for transparency and integrity.

Grantmaking

United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County functions as a grantmaking and fund distribution organization. The organization assesses human service needs, develops financial resources to meet those needs, and maximizes financial support through strategic fund distribution to partner agencies.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Lincoln and Lancaster County, Nebraska

Grant Distribution by State

4states

Cities

COUNCIL BLUFFSKANSAS CITYLINCOLNMALCOLMMULLENNEW YORKNORFOLKOMAHASPRINGFIELDWAVERLY

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Most Recent Fiscal Year (Ending June 2025):

  • Total Revenue: $7,120,337
  • Total Expenses: $6,974,533
  • Total Assets: $11,273,018
  • Total Liabilities: $8,350,000

Staffing: 22 employees (as of 2025)

Rating: Three-Star rating with 89% score, indicating strong accountability and financial management

Tax-Exempt Status: Donations are tax-deductible

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$2M$4M$7M$9M20212022202320242025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$11,273,018$11,141,560$9,640,741
Revenue$7,120,337$7,588,899$7,938,251
Expenses$6,974,533$7,488,898$7,898,282
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income$339,120$367,570$229,247
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$1M$3M$4M$5M125 grants2021103 grants2022160 grants2023102 grants2024101 grants2025

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

COMBINED HEALTH AGENCIES…$494KCEDARS YOUTH SERVICES$355KCEDARS YOUTH SERVICES$256KGIVE NEBRASKA$207KCOMMUNITY ACTION PARTNER…$185KHOPESPOKE$135KFOOD BANK OF LINCOLN$96KCATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES…$92KFRIENDSHIP HOME OF LINCO…$80KBRAVEBE CHILD ADVOCACY C…$76K

Grant Size Distribution

250 grants across all recorded years

187<$50K33$50–100K16$100–250K10$250–500K4$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Combined Health Agencies Drive (chad) ($494,360), Cedars Youth Services ($354,850), Cedars Youth Services ($255,600).

RecipientPurposeAmount
AMERICAN RED CROSS OF SOUTHEAST NEBRASKA CHAPTER LINCOLN, NEDONOR DESIGNATED FOR GENERAL SUPPORT$11,750
AMERICAN RED CROSS OF SOUTHEAST NEBRASKA CHAPTER LINCOLN, NEPROGRAM OPERATING COST$32,500
ARC OF LINCOLN LINCOLN, NEDONOR DESIGNATED FOR GENERAL SUPPORT$7,404
ARC OF LINCOLN LINCOLN, NEPROGRAM OPERATING COST$9,000
ASIAN COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL CENTER LINCOLN, NEDONOR DESIGNATED FOR GENERAL SUPPORT$5,970
ASIAN COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL CENTER LINCOLN, NEPROGRAM OPERATING COST$23,000
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS LINCOLN LINCOLN, NEDONOR DESIGNATED FOR GENERAL SUPPORT$11,463
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS LINCOLN LINCOLN, NEPROGRAM OPERATING COST$60,000
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF LINCOLNLANCASTER COUNTY LINCOLN, NEDONOR DESIGNATED FOR GENERAL SUPPORT$18,927
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF LINCOLNLANCASTER COUNTY LINCOLN, NEPROGRAM OPERATING COST$30,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Executive Director: Meagan Liesveld

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

MEAGAN LIESVELDEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$153KMARY ALDRICH-KNIGHTCHIEF FINANCIAL$102K

From 2025 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
JACK ABELDIRECTOR1
AMY ARGODIRECTOR1
ADAM BARRICKMANDIRECTOR1
ERIC MOSSPAST PRESIDENT1
GEOFF CLINEDIRECTOR1
PHIL MORGANVICE PRESIDENT1
JENNIFER CUSICK-RAWLINSONDIRECTOR1
RENEE DOZIERDIRECTOR1
KEVIN FALTINDIRECTOR1
PAUL GAUSMANDIRECTOR1
EMEKA ANYANWUDIRECTOR 20251
BRAD CRAINASSISTANT TREASURER1
ERIN HARTDIRECTOR1
TAYLOR HUNTDIRECTOR 20251
JEFF LAKEDIRECTOR 20251
DAVID MALCOMSECRETARY1
SUE MARTINDIRECTOR1
WILLIAM SEHIDIRECTOR1
APRIL RIMPLEYIMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT 21
JAMIE HARDERTREASURER1
RYAN NELSONDIRECTOR1
JODY OLSSONDIRECTOR1
AMY OSTERMEYERDIRECTOR1
JOHN SKRETTADIRECTOR1
CHRIS RASMUSSENDIRECTOR1
BOB REYNOLDSONDIRECTOR1
BRYAN ROBERTSONPRESIDENT 20251
JANE GREENPRESIDENT ELECT1
TIM SCHLEGELMILCHDIRECTOR1
RILEY SLEZAKDIRECTOR1
MEAGAN LIESVELDEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR40$152,930
MARK WALZDIRECTOR1
NATALIA WIITADIRECTOR1
MIKE ZELENYDIRECTOR1
MARY ALDRICH-KNIGHTCHIEF FINANCIAL40$102,498

Contact Information

Address: 6900 Van Dorn Street, Suite 24, Lincoln, NE 68506

Phone: (402) 441-7700

Fax: (402) 441-6088

Website: unitedwaylincoln.org

EIN: 47-0376624

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster fund?

**Mission:** To improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the Lincoln and Lancaster County community. **Vision:** A community where every individual and family has the opportunity to thrive. **Core Values:** Collaboration, Compassion, Excellence, Impact, Integrity **Strategic Pillars (2023-2028):** • Health • Education • Financial Stability The organization operates with an emphasis on collaboration and partnership across the entire community, a focus on innovation and modernization, thro…

How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster?

United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County functions as a grantmaking and fund distribution organization. The organization assesses human service needs, develops financial resources to meet those needs, and maximizes financial support through strategic fund distribution to partner agencies. **Program Impact (Recent Fiscal Years):** *Education Focus Area (2024-2025):* • 6,828 students served by partner agency programs • 4,697 students strengthened positive relationships with peers and caring adu…

Where does United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster make grants?

Lincoln and Lancaster County, Nebraska

What size grants does United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster award?

In 2025, United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster awarded 101 grants totaling $4.5M — an average of about $44K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

What is United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster's EIN?

United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-0376624. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.

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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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