United Way of Merced County
We mobilize the caring power of our community to advance health stability and opportunity for all.
United Way of Merced County at a glance
In short: United Way of Merced County gave $120K across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $120,248
- -91.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- Average grant
- $20,041
- Median grant
- $19,301
- Total assets
- $5,799,319
- +36.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who United Way of Merced County funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Los Panchos Mexican Seafood Inc ($30K). Together the top 6 received $120K.
Grant Size Distribution
27 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 27 grants of 27 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $33K (2023) to $1.4M (2024). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $120K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Los Panchos Mexican Seafood Inc Merced, CA | Business Stabilization Grant | $30,000 |
| Prospect Theater Project Modesto, CA | Heartland Art Workforce Stabilization Grant | $23,450 |
| WATCH Resources Inc Sonora, CA | Heartland Art Workforce Stabilization Grant | $19,852 |
| LightBox Theatre Company Turlock, CA | Heartland Art Workforce Stabilization Grant | $18,750 |
| South Modesto Businesses United Inc Hughson, CA | Heartland Art Workforce Stabilization Grant | $16,000 |
| Merced Center for the Performing Ar Merced, CA | Heartland Art Workforce Stabilization Grant | $12,196 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,799,319 | $6,496,223 | $4,351,118 | $120,248 | 6 | $75,063 |
| 2024 | $4,246,774 | $5,597,150 | $5,575,634 | $1,412,242 | Total only | $64,549 |
| 2023 | $6,550,340 | $2,706,222 | $2,327,412 | $32,500 | 4 | $29,853 |
| 2022 | $2,169,672 | $2,373,690 | $2,256,886 | — | — | $397 |
| 2021 | $2,335,887 | $2,166,830 | $2,254,198 | $127,500 | 17 | $377 |
| 2020 | $2,576,805 | $2,180,824 | $1,614,527 | $62,000 | 10 | $263 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About United Way of Merced County
Based on IRS filings
United Way of Merced County is a public charity, based in Merced, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $5.8M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $120K. Net investment income was $75K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
United Way of Merced County is led by Robert Hypes, Chief Executive Officer since 2023 (on filings since 2022); 2 of 12 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Robert Hypes
Chief Executive Officer
Interim Chief Executive Officer → Chief Executive Officer, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$68K (2022) → $108K (2025)
Susan Walsh
President
Director → President, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bob Harmon
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Colton Dennis
Director
Director → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sheilah Brooks
Director
Director → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashely Smith-Jenkins
Director
President → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christie Hendricks
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Will Kelly
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Teri Kleinen
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Towell
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Finance Officer → Chief Operating Officer, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$78K (2024) → $94K (2025)
Joy Alexander
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Moran
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Enrique Guzman (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Daniel Sabzehzar (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jeff Porto Jr. (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Manuel Alvarado (2020–2021) — Chief Executive Officer
- Former: Rosanna Ayers (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jose L Gonzalez (2021) — Director
- Former: Timothy Robertson (2021) — President
- Former: Andre Urquidez (2020) — Director
- Former: Tim Robertson (2020) — President
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
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $108K, to Robert Hypes (Chief Executive Officer). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about United Way of Merced County
How much does United Way of Merced County give each year?
United Way of Merced County gave $120K across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it reported $1.4M in grants paid.
What is United Way of Merced County's typical grant size?
United Way of Merced County's median grant in 2025 was $19,301, and its average grant was $20,041, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does United Way of Merced County give grants?
United Way of Merced County gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Merced, CA (2 grants).
Does United Way of Merced County give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on United Way of Merced County's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Heartland Art Workforce Stabilization Grant" (5 grants).
Who are United Way of Merced County's largest grantees?
United Way of Merced County's largest 2025 grantees include Los Panchos Mexican Seafood Inc ($30,000), Prospect Theater Project ($23,450) and WATCH Resources Inc ($19,852), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of Merced County?
United Way of Merced County reported $5.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.5M.
What is United Way of Merced County's EIN?
United Way of Merced County's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-2633265. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 27, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work United Way of Merced County funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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United Way of Merced County down — hundreds of funders to go?