United Way of Ne Minnesota
United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) is a public charity based in Chisholm, Minnesota. Established in 1966, it invests in nonprofits, programs, and collaborations and also operates community programs to improve quality of life across its region.
United Way of Ne Minnesota at a glance
In short: United Way of Ne Minnesota gave $606K across 27 grants in 2025 (avg $22K), mostly in Minnesota. 15% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $606,000
- -44.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 27
- +8.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $22,444
- -48.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $4,562,030
- -6.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (4 of 27, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to United Way of Ne Minnesota
- How to Apply
-
UWNEMN’s process calls for applications each spring. Volunteer panels review applications, interview nonprofit agencies, and recommend distributions to the Board of Directors. Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, a project with an established 501(c)(3) fiscal agent, or a government organization; serve people in UWNEMN’s service area; and address an issue in its investment plan. The application process requires information about the program, expected outcomes, people served, past and projected budgets, fundraising and administrative costs, salaries, and the amount requested. Applicants must have received UWNEMN funding in the prior year; the funder states that no new partner applicants will be considered for 2026 while its funding process is under review.
- Contact
Mailing address: 608 East Drive, Chisholm, MN 55719
Phone: (218) 215-2420
Website: https://unitedwaynemn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who United Way of Ne Minnesota funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Bois Forte Band of Chippewa ($50K). Together the top 10 received $344K.
Grant Size Distribution
124 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 119 grants of 124 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
UWNEMN serves the Iron Range, including Northern St. Louis County and Eastern Itasca County, as well as Koochiching County and Lake of the Woods County. Its 2025 reported grant dollars went entirely to Minnesota recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 27 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is United Way of Ne Minnesota open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 27 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $22K; repeat grants $23K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $23K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $389K (2021) to $1.1M (2024). In 2025 it made 27 grants totaling $606K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bois Forte Band of Chippewa Nett Lake, MN | Develop and Preserve the Community and Culture | $50,000 |
| Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank Duluth, MN | Provides Emergency Services for Those in Crisis | $40,000 |
| Star of the North Maternity Home Duluth, MN | Provides Emergency Services for Mothers | $40,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Hibbing Duluth, MN | Positive Youth Development | $35,000 |
| Northwoods Partners ELY, MN | Provides support for individuals with terminal illness or disabilities | $35,000 |
| NSLC Habitat for Humanity Virginia, MN | Stable Living Environment and Affordable Home Ownership | $30,000 |
| Range Transitional Housing Inc Virginia, MN | Provides Transitional Housing | $30,000 |
| Sexual Assault Program of NSLC Virginia, MN | Provides food to partner agencies and individuals in need | $30,000 |
| Care Partners Eveleth, MN | Support for Cancer Victims | $29,000 |
| ELY Community Health Center ELY, MN | To provide affordable services with a vision to improve community health. | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Ne Minnesota?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
EIN: 41-0908454. Filing type: Form 990 (a public charity).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,562,030 | $2,714,803 | $3,163,708 | $606,000 | 27 | $37,270 |
| 2024 | $4,885,921 | $2,900,252 | $2,715,197 | $1,096,545 | 25 | $17,689 |
| 2023 | $4,505,924 | $2,072,692 | $2,166,222 | $511,900 | 24 | $6,202 |
| 2022 | $4,659,266 | $1,907,609 | $1,785,544 | $402,500 | 24 | $2,064 |
| 2021 | $4,324,784 | $2,090,570 | $1,746,292 | $389,029 | 24 | $1,689 |
| 2019 | $3,718,316 | $2,057,854 | $1,841,577 | $448,789 | 28 | $1,389 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
UWNEMN’s mission is “to unite and focus our communities in creating measurable results to improve people’s lives and strengthen our families.” Its investment priorities include early education, afterschool and summer learning, literacy, healthcare access, nutrition and food security, stable housing, domestic violence and sexual assault services, disaster response, workforce support, and home ownership.
Its 2025 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supports. Northwoods Partners describes its mission as promoting independence and healthy aging; Range Transitional Housing says it assists people experiencing homelessness in obtaining and maintaining safe housing; and Care Partners says it assists people with cancer and life-limiting illnesses. Ely Community Health Center describes its work as providing volunteer-run, no-cost medical and dental care to uninsured and underinsured patients. Children’s Dental Services says it provides accessible dental treatment and education to children from low-income families.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, UWNEMN reported 27 grants totaling $606,000. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $50,000, with a median of $20,000. The largest reported awards included $50,000 to Bois Forte Band of Chippewa for community and cultural development and preservation; $40,000 each to Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank and Star of the North Maternity Home; and $35,000 each to Boys & Girls Club of Hibbing and Northwoods Partners.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Erin Shay as Executive Director; Chad Buus as President; Matt Hiti as Vice President; Greg Schultzenberg as Secretary; and Jack Furlong as Treasurer. Directors listed are Dean Debeltz, Latisha Gietzen, Chrissy Bartovich, Eric Clement, and Stacy Kuusinen.
United Way of Ne Minnesota is led by Erin Shay, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 1 of 23 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Erin Shay
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$79K (2021) → $98K (2025)
Chad Buus
President
Board Member → Director, 2023
Director → President, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dean Debeltz
Director
1st Vice President → Board President, 2024
Board President → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Clement
Director
1st Vice President → Board Member, 2021
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Latisha Gietzen
Director
2nd Vice President → 1st Vice President, 2024
1st Vice President → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Norton
Director
1st Vice President → Board President, 2023
Board President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeannie Nobens
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nick Renollet
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stacy Kuusinen
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chrissy Bartovich
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alicia Dick
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amanda Pihlaja
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jaime Johnson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Helms
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jenna Lehti
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennie Rowland
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Clement
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shari McGregor
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sunnie Hardy
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Traci Millerbernd
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matt Hiti
Vice President
Board Member → Director, 2023
Director → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jack Furlong
Treasurer
Board Member → Director, 2023
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greg Schultzenberg
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (30)
- Former: April Klander (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Breanne Katrin (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Dan Kotnik (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Frank Lamusga (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Jim Skalski (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Julie Lucas (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Laura Rosier (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Marci Knight (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Paul Janssen (2019–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Robb Peterson (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Ashley Kjenaas (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Jennifer Ford (2023–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Samantha Silcox (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Nikki Skifstad (2024) — Director
- Former: Bruce Kingsley (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Cliff Tobey (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Stacy Hart (2019–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Tom Jamar (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Dianne Buhrow (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Danielle Seppi (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Dustin Grangruth (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Julie Ehrman (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Mark Bakk (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Randy Babiracki (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Shelley Valentini (2019–2021) — Former Executive Director
- Former: Jennie Hipple (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Lora Lastovich (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Sam Stone (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Taylor Wudinich (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Tony Zupancich (2019) — Board Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $98K, to Erin Shay (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about United Way of Ne Minnesota
How much does United Way of Ne Minnesota give each year?
United Way of Ne Minnesota gave $606K across 27 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.1M across 25 grants.
What is United Way of Ne Minnesota's typical grant size?
United Way of Ne Minnesota's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $22,444, across 27 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of Ne Minnesota that year got $22K on average.
Where does United Way of Ne Minnesota give grants?
United Way of Ne Minnesota gives mostly in Minnesota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Virginia, MN (5 grants), Duluth, MN (4 grants), ELY, MN (3 grants) and Eveleth, MN (3 grants).
Does United Way of Ne Minnesota give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 27 grants with a stated purpose on United Way of Ne Minnesota's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Positive Youth Development" (4 grants) and "Provides Emergency Services for Those in Crisis" (3 grants).
Who are United Way of Ne Minnesota's largest grantees?
United Way of Ne Minnesota's largest 2025 grantees include Bois Forte Band of Chippewa ($50,000), Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank ($40,000) and Star of the North Maternity Home ($40,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of Ne Minnesota?
United Way of Ne Minnesota reported $4.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.7M.
What does United Way of Ne Minnesota fund?
UWNEMN’s mission is “to unite and focus our communities in creating measurable results to improve people’s lives and strengthen our families.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Ne Minnesota?
UWNEMN’s process calls for applications each spring. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is United Way of Ne Minnesota's EIN?
United Way of Ne Minnesota's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-0908454. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 27, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 3, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS January 19, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of Ne Minnesota's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Northland Foundation
Duluth, MN
Northland Foundation funds work supporting children, youth and families, community wellbeing, and Indigenous communities, along with regional economic and community development. Its 2025 grants had a median award of $25,000, with itemized grants ranging from $10,000 to $750,000, for work serving Northeast Minnesota’s seven counties and parts of five Native nations.
Assets
$124.7M
Grants
122
Total Given
$5.0M
Otto Bremer Trust
St. Paul, MN
The Otto Bremer Trust funds organizations and projects addressing community needs and opportunities, including health care and social services, in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. In 2025, grants ranged from $3,500 to $4.2 million, with a median of $150,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests or direct grant applications; Community Responsive Fund grants are offered through selected intermediaries.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
180
Total Given
$57.2M
Minnesota Power Foundation
Duluth, MN
The Minnesota Power Foundation funds education, environmental, community service, youth, arts and culture, and health and human services projects that improve quality of life, prioritizing nonprofits and accredited schools in its Minnesota Power service area, mainly in Minnesota and also Wisconsin. Its 2025 grants ranged from $200 to $99,500, with a median of $1,000; it accepts applications year-round, so unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$961K
Grants
143
Total Given
$655K
Medica Foundation
Minnetonka, MN
Medica Foundation funds community-led programs that advance health equity in Minnesota, particularly in behavioral health, early childhood health, rural health, and strategic initiatives. Its 2024 grants ranged from $6,000 to $200,000, with a median grant of $10,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$76.2M
Grants
79
Total Given
$2.8M
C K Blandin Foundation
Grand Rapids, MN
The C K Blandin Foundation funds rural Minnesota projects that build community wealth, improve rural places, strengthen small communities, and support capacity-building, with a primary focus on the Grand Rapids area. Rural grants are typically $25,000–$150,000; it does not accept unsolicited requests, offering opportunities through invitations or competitive RFPs.
Assets
$506.3M
Grants
931
Total Given
$15.8M
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
St. Paul, MN
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation funds community-led work in areas including economic opportunity, health and human services, youth and education, housing, and organizational capacity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,000; listed programs offer up to $50,000 for eligible East Metro work and up to $15,000 for qualifying Minnesota organizations. It accepts applications through specific programs, including rolling application opportunities; the Community Solutions Grant Program serves Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington counties.
Assets
$1.7B
Grants
1,473
Total Given
$107.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Minnesota
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United Way of Ne Minnesota funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-ne-minnesota-morg_43d1965985144872b7236147a3839cc2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_410908454_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Way of Ne Minnesota funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-ne-minnesota-morg_43d1965985144872b7236147a3839cc2},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from United Way of Ne Minnesota'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 Ne Minnesota down — hundreds of funders to go?