United Way of Northern California
United Way of Northern California is a public charity based in Redding, California, serving nine Northern California counties. It supports community programs through direct services, partnerships, and grants, with work spanning health, education, financial stability, and community crisis response.
Key facts about United Way of Northern California
In short: United Way of Northern California gave $542K across 35 grants in 2024 (avg $15K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 94-1251675
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $542,038
- Grants made (2024)
- 35
- Average grant
- $15,487
- Median grant
- $13,500
- Total assets
- $2,435,685
- Primary geography
- California (97% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$2.4M
+12.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$542K
-23.5% YoY
Grant Count
35
+400.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
-84.7% YoY
How United Way of Northern California gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−1%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is to fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in its community and to be there for the community and its residents during times of crisis. Its stated vision is to enhance quality of life by mobilizing people’s desire and capacity to care for one another.
Its work includes healthy communities, youth opportunity, financial security, disaster response and recovery, homelessness, equity, and 211 referral services. The North State Equity Fund supports organizations or groups based in one or more of nine North State counties. It prioritizes grassroots and emerging organizations led by people most directly impacted by systemic barriers, providing general-operating and capacity-building support.
2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. Plumas Rural Services, which received $42,000, describes its work as providing services and opportunities for local residents’ and families’ well-being, health, education, prevention, and treatment. Tengx Center of the Northstate, which received $36,000, describes its mission as improving the capabilities of ethnic minorities through outreach, training, and programs that increase equitable access to services. Stonewall Alliance of Chico, awarded $20,300, describes its mission as cultivating a safe and open environment for gender and sexual minorities and allies through support, resources, education, advocacy, and celebration.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, United Way of Northern California reported 35 grants totaling $542,038. Grant amounts ranged from $5,333 to $42,000, with a median of $13,500. Reported purposes included disaster-preparation education, community education campaigns, COVID education, and operational expenses.
The largest awards included $42,000 to Plumas Rural Services for disaster-preparation education; $37,500 to 2-1-1 Humboldt for disaster-preparation education; $36,000 to Tengx Center of the Northstate for COVID education and operational expenses; and $32,000 to Help Central for a community education campaign. Other notable grants included $24,800 to Northern Valley Catholic Social Service for a community education campaign and $22,000 to the African American Family & Cultural Center for a community education campaign and operational support for under-funded grassroots organizations.
The North State Equity Fund describes its support as general-operating and capacity-building grants for eligible grassroots and emerging organizations. The fund’s stated geographic eligibility covers Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity counties. The available information does not specify application materials, restrictions beyond these eligibility details, or a deadline.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
United Way of Northern California serves Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity counties. In 2024, 97% of its grant dollars went to recipients in California and 3% to recipients in Oregon.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 35 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $414K (2022) to $1.1M (2020). In 2024 it made 35 grants totaling $542K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Plumas Rural Services ($42K). Together the top 10 received $271K.
Grant Size Distribution
113 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 100 grants of 113 (88%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Plumas Rural Services Quincy, CA | Disaster Preparation Education | $42,000 |
| 2-1-1 Humboldt Eureka, CA | Disaster Preparation Education | $37,500 |
| Tengx Center of the Northstate Inc Redding, CA | Covid Education, Operational Expenses | $36,000 |
| Help Central Inc Chico, CA | Community Education Campaign | $32,000 |
| Northern Valley Catholic Social Service Inc Redding, CA | Community Education Campaign | $24,800 |
| African American Family & Cultural Center Oroville, CA | Community education campaign, support for under-funded grassroots organizations operational expenses | $22,000 |
| Stonewall Alliance of Chico Chico, CA | Community Education Campaigns | $20,300 |
| Lassen Indian Health Center Susanville, CA | Community Education Campaign | $19,500 |
| Oroville Southside Comm Improvement Assoc Oroville, CA | Community Education Campaign, Operational Expenses | $19,000 |
| Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Community Development Corporation Portland, OR | Community Education Campaign | $18,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,435,685 | $5,165,263 | $4,802,438 | $542,038 (35 grants) |
| 2023 | $2,175,519 | $3,071,565 | $4,891,253 | $708,760 (7 grants) |
| 2022 | $3,450,043 | $5,029,646 | $6,296,052 | $414,198 (8 grants) |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,435,685 | $2,175,519 | $3,450,043 |
| Revenue | $5,165,263 | $3,071,565 | $5,029,646 |
| Expenses | $4,802,438 | $4,891,253 | $6,296,052 |
| Net Investment Income | $27,382 | $16,520 | $3,519 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 1, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Larry Olmstead as President and CEO; Sonia Sullivan-Aery as Chairman; Scott Fredrick as Vice Chair; Kristin Behrens as Secretary; Danna Prater as Treasurer; and Bruce McPhee as Development Chair. It also lists Candy Carlson, Charnpreet Malka, Collin Bogener, and Greg Balkovek as members.
The organization’s FAQ identifies Kalie Brisbon as President and CEO and Sonia Aery as the current board chair.
United Way of Northern California is led by Larry Olmstead, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 1 of 18 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Larry Olmstead
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$86K (2020) → $118K (2024)
Bruce McPhee
Development Chair
Member → Development Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sonia Sullivan-Aery
Chairman
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Candy Carlson
Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Collin Bogener
Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greg Balkovek
Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jack Potter
Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Cloney
Member
Chairman → Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristin Behrens
Secretary
Member → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Fredrick
Vice Chair
Member → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Danna Prater
Treasuer
Member → Treasuer, 2024
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janet Goodson
Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marie Dotson
Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Teckla Johnson
Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charnpreet Malka
Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Andoh
Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Geraci
Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rylee Pedotti
Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Anand Jesrani (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Ann Schwab (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Joanna Padilla-Mitchell (2020–2023) — Treasuer
- Former: Mike Mangas (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Sonia Aery (2020–2023) — Chair
- Former: Amy Agle (2022–2023) — Member
- Former: Michelle Ridley (2022–2023) — Member
- Former: Bobby Jones (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Elsbeth Prigmore (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Guillermo Sandoval (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Johanna Downey (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Michelle Hake (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Wendi West (2020–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Yvonne McQuaid (2020–2021) — Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $118K, to Larry Olmstead (President and CEO).
Contact
Mailing address: 3300 Churn Creek Road, Redding, CA 96002
Phone: (530) 241-7521
Website: https://norcalunitedway.org
Frequently asked questions about United Way of Northern California
How much does United Way of Northern California give each year?
United Way of Northern California gave $542K across 35 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $709K across 7 grants.
What is United Way of Northern California's typical grant size?
United Way of Northern California's median grant in 2024 was $13,500, and its average grant was $15,487, across 35 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does United Way of Northern California give grants?
United Way of Northern California gives mostly in California: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chico, CA (6 grants), Oroville, CA (4 grants), Redding, CA (3 grants) and Susanville, CA (2 grants).
Does United Way of Northern California give general operating support?
Yes: 23% of United Way of Northern California's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 35) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Community Education Campaign" (13 grants), "Disaster Preparation Education" (7 grants) and "Support for Under-Funded Grassroots Organizations" (3 grants).
Who are United Way of Northern California's largest grantees?
United Way of Northern California's largest 2024 grantees include Plumas Rural Services ($42,000), 2-1-1 Humboldt ($37,500) and Tengx Center of the Northstate Inc ($36,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of Northern California?
United Way of Northern California reported $2.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.2M.
What does United Way of Northern California fund?
The organization’s mission is to fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in its community and to be there for the community and its residents during times of crisis. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Northern California?
United Way of Northern California has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check norcalunitedway.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is United Way of Northern California's EIN?
United Way of Northern California's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-1251675. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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