United Way of Olmsted County Inc
United Way of Olmsted County is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Rochester, Minnesota, serving as an agent of community change. Founded in 1925, the organization unites people and resources to improve lives in the community through grantmaking, community convening, and collaborative partnerships. The organization operates across Olmsted, Dodge, Fillmore, and Winona Counties in Southeast Minnesota.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.2M
-8.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.3M
-6.8% YoY
Grant Count
49
+28.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$27K
-27.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To be an agent of community change that inspires hope, creates opportunity, and champions people in need. United Way advances the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Education — preparing children and youth to succeed in school and in the community
- Health — promoting physical and mental well-being
- Financial Stability — moving individuals and families toward financial independence and ensuring basic needs are met
- Basic Needs — supporting programs and services that help meet essential community needs
The organization's approach emphasizes creating lasting change by addressing underlying causes of social problems through community mobilization and collaborative partnerships.
Grantmaking
The organization funds a diverse portfolio of community organizations including Olmsted County Health, Housing and Human Services; Rochester Public Schools; Women's Shelter and Support Center; Semcac; RideAbility; Recovery is Happening; NAMI Southeast MN; Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch; Infants Remembered in Silence (IRIS); Healthy Smiles; Family Service Rochester; Faith in Action Dodge County; Dodge County DARE; Catholic Charities of Southern MN; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern MN; The ARC MN; Ability Building Community; and Lived Experience Lead.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
- Olmsted County, Minnesota (primary)
- Dodge County, Minnesota
- Fillmore County, Minnesota
- Winona County, Minnesota
- Secondary funding in Wisconsin and Georgia
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Summary:
- Total Assets: $4,229,833
- Total Revenue: $3,311,565
- Total Expenses: $3,603,601
- Total Liabilities: $648,000
- Total Giving: $1,408,795
Staffing: 34 employees (2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,229,833 | $4,601,041 | $5,240,172 |
| Revenue | $3,311,565 | $3,451,495 | $3,759,142 |
| Expenses | $3,603,601 | $3,930,338 | $3,840,840 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $51,333 | $32,911 | $205,643 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
182 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from United Way of Olmsted County Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Jerome Ferson — President (as of 2024)
Dale O'Groske — Chief Financial Officer
Keri Olson — Board Member
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PIPER NIETERS SU | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| ARMIN BUDIMLIC | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| PAUL TIESKOETTER | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| LUKE FREUND | ASSISTANT TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JOHN ECKERMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SIDNEY FRYE II | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| STEPHANIE HEDRICK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ALEX ALEXANDER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SARAH JOYNT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHRUTHI NAIK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LILLYAM ARROYAVE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KERI OLSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MOHAMED OSMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHARLIE PERKINS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHELLY SANNES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEFFREY STILWELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LILLYAM ARROYAVE-GOMEZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CALLY BUNNE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SARA-LOUISE HENRY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RANDY SCHUBRING | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ACACIA WARD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEROME FERSON | PRESIDENT | 38 | $149,266 |
| DALE O'GROSKE | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 38 | $87,534 |
| EMILY JOHNSTON | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 38 | $83,311 |
| JULIE RUZEK | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 38 | $102,040 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**July 2024:** United Way of Olmsted County Board of Directors approved $1.1 million in funding for 48 partnerships across Olmsted, Dodge, and Winona counties, focusing on community investments in education, health, and financial stability.
United Way of Olmsted County funds $1.1 million in community investments**Organization Rating:** The organization maintains a 100% four-star rating based on accountability, finance, leadership, and adaptability metrics.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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