United Way of South Mississippi
United Way of South Mississippi is a public charity based in Gulfport, Mississippi. It supports community programs and partners working to improve education, health, and financial stability in South Mississippi, with the stated goal of giving children and families tools and support to thrive.
United Way of South Mississippi at a glance
In short: United Way of South Mississippi gave $650K across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $46K), mostly in Mississippi. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $650,089
- -27.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- -12.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $46,435
- -17.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $16,774
- Total assets
- $1,130,328
- -5.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 13, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Mississippi (95% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to United Way of South Mississippi
- How to Apply
-
The 2025–2027 Community Impact Grant application cycle opened January 17, 2025, and is now closed.
- Contact
Mailing address: 11975 Seaway Road No B-170, Gulfport, MS 39503
Phone: (228) 896-2213
Website: https://unitedwaysm.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from United Way of South Mississippi
Community Impact Grants
United Way of South Mississippi
Amount
$448,000 total for 12 grants (2021-2023 cycle)
Deadline
Deadline not published
COVID-19 Emergency Grants
United Way of South Mississippi
Amount
$65,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
PreK4Ward Program
United Way of South Mississippi
Amount
Tuition and program costs covered by grants (Parents pay $250 registration fee)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who United Way of South Mississippi funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Catholic Charities of South MS ($417K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $628K.
Grant Size Distribution
84 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 75 grants of 84 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization states that it serves Hancock, Harrison, Pearl River, and Stone counties in South Mississippi. In filing year 2025, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in Mississippi and 5% to recipients in Tennessee.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is United Way of South Mississippi open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 13 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. How we count
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $507K (2023) to $1.0M (2021). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $650K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Catholic Charities of South MS Biloxi, MS | Utility assistance for low income members of the community | $402,226 |
| CASA of South Mississippi Bay St Louis, MS | Education Advocacy & Support, General Assistance | $42,927 |
| Dollywood Foundationdolly Parton's Imagination Library Pigeon Forge, TN | Books for Children 0 - 5 YRS Old | $34,533 |
| Hancock Resource Center Bay St Louis, MS | Family Advocacy Collaborative, General Assistance | $25,038 |
| Moore Community House Biloxi, MS | Early Head Start Program, General Assistance | $25,036 |
| Hancock County HRA Bay St Louis, MS | Child Development, General Assistance | $25,027 |
| The Nourshing Place Gulfport, MS | After-School Tutoring, General Assistance | $18,500 |
| St Vincent De Paul Pharmacy Biloxi, MS | Diabetic Care Program, General Assitance | $15,047 |
| Catholic Charities of South MS Biloxi, MS | Case Management Services and Community Outreach, General Assistance | $15,019 |
| Manna Ministries Picayune, MS | Head & Heart Program, General Assistance | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with United Way of South Mississippi?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,130,328 | $1,856,291 | $1,934,828 | $650,089 | 14 | $42,464 |
| 2024 | $1,194,237 | $2,020,327 | $2,136,888 | $901,277 | 16 | $26,938 |
| 2023 | $1,309,642 | $1,503,432 | $1,703,092 | $507,126 | 13 | $5,361 |
| 2022 | $1,558,892 | $1,432,415 | $1,539,906 | $514,732 | 16 | $24,972 |
| 2021 | $1,862,012 | $1,899,924 | $1,965,115 | $1,000,932 | 25 | $32,458 |
| 2020 | $1,857,073 | $1,663,535 | $1,881,687 | $946,947 | 20 | $21,379 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is to mobilize resources, partners, and community to improve the quality of life for all in South Mississippi. Its stated focus areas are education, health, and financial stability.
Its 2025 grants included support for utility assistance for low-income community members, child development, early childhood and after-school programs, education advocacy, diabetic care, and therapeutic childcare. For example, Hancock Resource Center describes its mission as stabilizing families and strengthening the community by addressing housing barriers and coordinating services. Moore Community House says it works for the well-being and development of low-income women and children in East Biloxi. St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy says it provides prescription medicines free of charge to disadvantaged people in Mississippi. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 14 grants totaling $650,089. Grant amounts ranged from $5,116 to $402,226, with a median of $16,774. Its largest listed grants included $402,226 to Catholic Charities of South MS for utility assistance for low-income community members, $42,927 to CASA of South Mississippi for education advocacy and support, and $34,533 to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for books for children ages 0–5. Other listed awards included $25,038 to Hancock Resource Center and $25,036 to Moore Community House.
The organization’s website describes Community Impact Grants as supporting priority projects in education, health, and financial stability. It says applicants must demonstrate real need, quality management practices, collaboration, and measurable results, and must have the capacity, competence, and experience to accomplish project goals. Applicants are expected to provide measurable outcomes and use tools and methods that support evaluation of the quantity and quality of services. The organization’s filing narrative says community investment teams evaluate applications and recommend funding to the board, which gives final approval; grantees are required to submit quarterly outcome measurement reports.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Else' Marie as president, Scott Gregory as past president, Martha Polk as secretary, and Janell Nolan as vice president of volunteers and special projects. Amy Bateson is listed as vice president of finance. Directors listed are Greg Capranica, Jennifer Cain, Jase Payne, Lea Bellon, and Brady Powers.
United Way of South Mississippi is led by Kathy Springer, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2020; 2 of 24 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kathy Springer
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$110K (2020) → $129K (2025)
Else' Marie
President
Vice President of Finance → President Elect, 2023
President Elect → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristin Pearson
Director of Finance
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$55K (2024) → $58K (2025)
David Duhe'
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greg Capranica
Director
Presdient Elect → Past President, 2022
Past President → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lea Bellon
Director
Vice President of Community Impact → Vice President of Communit, 2022
Vice President of Communit → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rick Williams
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kreg Overstreet
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ric Williams
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sean Courtney
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jase Payne
Director
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shyra Galloway
Director
Director → Vice President of Community Impact, 2023
Vice President of Community Impact → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brady Powers
Director
Vice President of Rd → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Quigley
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
R. Lee Flowers
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thania Coyne
Director
Vice President of Volunteers & Special Events → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Cain
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Conrad Hamel
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Gregory
Past President
President Elect → President, 2023
President → Past President, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Bateson
Vice President of Finance
Director → Vice President of Finance, 2024
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nikki Johns
Vice President of Resource
Director → Vice President of Resource Development, 2024
Vice President of Resource Development → Vice President of Resource, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Kaigler
President Elect & Vice President Community Impact
Director → Vice President of Community Impact, 2024
Vice President of Community Impact → President Elect & Vice President Community Impact, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Martha Polk
Secretary
Vice President of Rd → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janell Nolan
Vice President of Volunteers & Special Projects
Vice President → Vice President of Volunteers & Special Projects, 2025
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (23)
- Former: Alex Treutel (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Stacey O'Connell (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Ryan Witcher (2024) — Director
- Former: Charles O'Hala (2020–2023) — Past President
- Former: Melissa Russo (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Brad Kessie (2022–2023) — Vice President of Marketing
- Former: Kristin Ventura (2022–2023) — Director of Finance
- Former: Tripp Harrison (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Dana Trhower (2023) — Director
- Former: Glenn Needham (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jeff Stone (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Leonard Bentz (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Micah Necaise (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Brent Fairley (2020–2021) — Past President
- Former: Carlos Bell (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Chas Pierce (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Chase Calfee (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Gordon Myrick (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: James Moody (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Kimberly Hall (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Lori West (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: John McCarty (2021) — Director
- Former: Amy Haygood (2020) — Director
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 $129K, to Kathy Springer (Chief Executive Officer). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about United Way of South Mississippi
How much does United Way of South Mississippi give each year?
United Way of South Mississippi gave $650K across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $901K across 16 grants.
What is United Way of South Mississippi's typical grant size?
United Way of South Mississippi's median grant in 2025 was $16,774, and its average grant was $46,435, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does United Way of South Mississippi give grants?
United Way of South Mississippi gives mostly in Mississippi: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Tennessee (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Biloxi, MS (6 grants), Bay St Louis, MS (3 grants) and Gulfport, MS (2 grants).
Does United Way of South Mississippi give general operating support?
Yes: 71% of United Way of South Mississippi's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (10 of 14) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are United Way of South Mississippi's largest grantees?
United Way of South Mississippi's largest 2025 grantees include Catholic Charities of South MS ($417,245 across 2 grants), CASA of South Mississippi ($42,927) and Dollywood Foundationdolly Parton's Imagination Library ($34,533), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 76% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of South Mississippi?
United Way of South Mississippi reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.9M.
What does United Way of South Mississippi fund?
The organization’s mission is to mobilize resources, partners, and community to improve the quality of life for all in South Mississippi. Its stated focus areas are education, health, and financial stability. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of South Mississippi?
The 2025–2027 Community Impact Grant application cycle opened January 17, 2025, and is now closed. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is United Way of South Mississippi's EIN?
United Way of South Mississippi's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 64-0826356. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 24, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 17, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 31, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 10, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of South Mississippi's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United Way of South Mississippi funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 9, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-south-mississippi-morg_e1b9e8145c9644cc8ad42dbb16576107
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_640826356_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Way of South Mississippi funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-south-mississippi-morg_e1b9e8145c9644cc8ad42dbb16576107},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-09. 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 South Mississippi'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 South Mississippi down — hundreds of funders to go?