United Way of Southeast Minnesota
United Way of Southeast Minnesota is a public charity based in Rochester, Minnesota. It funds programs serving Southeast Minnesotans and works to address community needs through health, financial security, youth opportunity, and community resiliency.
United Way of Southeast Minnesota at a glance
In short: United Way of Southeast Minnesota gave $1.2M across 43 grants in 2025 (avg $27K), mostly in Minnesota. 9% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,160,086
- -14.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 43
- -12.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $26,979
- -2.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $3,918,080
- -7.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 9% first-time grantees (4 of 43, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (98% 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 Southeast Minnesota
- How to Apply
-
Review the relevant RFP and submit an application with the materials specified for that opportunity; applicants can sign up for the organization’s listserv for notices of new opportunities.
- Contact
Mailing address: 903 West Center Street No 100, Rochester, MN 55902
Phone: (507) 287-2000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from United Way of Southeast Minnesota
Who United Way of Southeast Minnesota funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Families First of Minnesota ($98K). Together the top 10 received $627K.
Grant Size Distribution
226 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 182 grants of 226 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The stated service area is Olmsted, Dodge, Winona, and Fillmore counties in Minnesota. In 2025, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota; 1% each went to Wisconsin and Georgia, with a reported less than 1% to North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
Cities
Is United Way of Southeast Minnesota open to new grantees?
9%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 43 grantees (9%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $29K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $20K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.2M (2025) to $1.9M (2021). In 2025 it made 43 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Families First of Minnesota Rochester, MN | Program Award and Designation | $98,048 |
| Barbershop & Social Services Rochester, MN | Program Award | $90,000 |
| Sports Mentorship Academy (Sma) Rochester, MN | Program Award and Designation | $80,122 |
| Rochester Area Foundation Rochester, MN | Program Award and Designation | $63,450 |
| Rochester Public Schools ISD 535 Rochester, MN | Program Award and School Supplies | $60,668 |
| Channel One Regional Food Bank Rochester, MN | Program Award and Designation | $50,602 |
| Legal Assistance of Olmsted County (Laoc) Rochester, MN | Program Award | $50,000 |
| Bear Creek Services Inc Rochester, MN | Program Award and Designation | $45,999 |
| Women's Shelter and Support Center Rochester, MN | Program Award and Designation | $45,770 |
| Family Service Rochester Inc Rochester, MN | Program Award and Designation | $42,200 |
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Southeast Minnesota?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,918,080 | $3,126,478 | $3,478,003 | $1,160,086 | 43 | $51,957 |
| 2024 | $4,229,833 | $3,311,565 | $3,603,601 | $1,351,932 | 49 | $51,333 |
| 2023 | $4,601,041 | $3,451,495 | $3,930,338 | $1,441,479 | 38 | $32,911 |
| 2022 | $5,240,172 | $3,759,142 | $3,840,840 | $1,568,053 | 45 | $205,643 |
| 2021 | $5,706,940 | $4,003,925 | $3,897,418 | $1,917,722 | 51 | $193,269 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
United Way of Southeast Minnesota’s mission is to respond to the greatest needs in its region by inspiring people to get involved, give back, and take action. Its vision is a resilient region where residents are healthy, households are financially secure, and young people succeed in school and life.
It funds programs that positively affect health, financial security, young people’s opportunities, and resilience in the face of crisis. It prioritizes programs serving populations disproportionately experiencing community needs or disparities in health, education, financial stability, and the ability to meet basic needs.
Its 2025 grantees illustrate a range of services. Bear Creek Services says its mission is to support people with disabilities to live empowered lives; Family Promise Rochester says it provides emergency shelter, meals, and assistance to homeless families; and Good News Children’s Center says it provides childcare in a safe environment that promotes lifelong learning. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the funder’s.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, United Way reported 43 grants totaling $1,160,086. Awards ranged from $5,087 to $98,048, with a median of $15,000.
Among the largest 2025 awards were $98,048 to Families First of Minnesota, $90,000 to Barbershop & Social Services, $80,122 to Sports Mentorship Academy, $63,450 to Rochester Area Foundation, and $50,602 to Channel One Regional Food Bank. The filing describes these as program awards, with some also designated.
Funding opportunities open periodically, typically about once per year, and applicants should review the specific request for proposals (RFP) for eligibility and requirements. The organization’s grant-seeker FAQ says eligible agencies must operate in Olmsted, Dodge, Winona, or Fillmore County and primarily serve people at or below the ALICE survival threshold and/or at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. Eligible applicants may be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government agencies or units, qualifying faith-based organizations, or community organizations with a fiscal sponsor. Individual opportunities may have narrower criteria.
The organization typically requests a program budget, recent board-approved financial statements, current board names and contact information, an IRS Form 990, and a fiscal-host agreement if applicable. It recommends requesting no more than one-third of the existing program budget. Applicants are encouraged to review the RFP, application questions, rubric, and research, and to attend or watch the opportunity’s information session. Staff offer application support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing:
- Armin Budimlic — Chair
- Charlie Perkins — Vice Chair
- Randy Schubring — 2nd Vice Chair
- Luke Freund — Treasurer
- Cally Bunne — Assistant Treasurer
- Sidney Frye II — Director
- Stephanie Hedrick — Director
- Alex Alexander — Director
- Shruthi Naik — Director
- Keri Olson — Director
United Way of Southeast Minnesota is led by Jerome Ferson, President on every filing since 2021; 3 of 19 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jerome Ferson
President
On filings since 2021
38 hrs/week
$140K (2021) → $160K (2025)
Armin Budimlic
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie Ruzek
Program Director
On filings since 2024
38 hrs/week
$102K (2024) → $109K (2025)
Jeffrey Stilwell
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shruthi Naik
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alex Alexander
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Keri Olson
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sidney Frye II
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Hedrick
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lillyam Arroyave-Gomez
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sara-Louise Henry
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katie Schroden
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Quednow
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nick Rethemeier
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dale O'Groske
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2021
38 hrs/week
$78K (2021) → $97K (2025)
Charlie Perkins
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cally Bunne
Assistant Treasurer
Director → Assistant Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Luke Freund
Treasurer
Assistant Treasurer → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Randy Schubring
2nd Vice Chair
Director → 2nd Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (26)
- Former: Emily Johnston (2021–2024) — Chief Operating Officer
- Former: John Eckerman (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Paul Tieskoetter (2021–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Piper Nieters Su (2021–2024) — Chair
- Former: Sarah Joynt (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Shelly Sannes (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Lillyam Arroyave (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Mohamed Osman (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Acacia Ward (2024) — Director
- Former: Chad Decook (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Donna Lun (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Lindsey Lehman (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Mark Hettinger (2021–2023) — 2nd Vice Chair
- Former: Melissa Johnson (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Sandra Means (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Shamila Amarasekera (2021–2023) — Board Chair
- Former: Angie Puffer (2022–2023) — Past Chair
- Former: Bryce Caldwell (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Gregory Griffiths (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: James Barnhart (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: James Kelly (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Jamie Rothe (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Nicole Andrews (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Omar Nur (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Angela Puffer (2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: David Oeth (2021) — Past Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $160K, to Jerome Ferson (President). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about United Way of Southeast Minnesota
How much does United Way of Southeast Minnesota give each year?
United Way of Southeast Minnesota gave $1.2M across 43 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.4M across 49 grants.
What is United Way of Southeast Minnesota's typical grant size?
United Way of Southeast Minnesota's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $26,979, across 43 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of Southeast Minnesota that year got $12K on average.
Where does United Way of Southeast Minnesota give grants?
United Way of Southeast Minnesota gives mostly in Minnesota: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Rochester, MN (26 grants) and Kasson, MN (2 grants).
Does United Way of Southeast Minnesota give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 43 grants with a stated purpose on United Way of Southeast Minnesota's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Award and Designation" (17 grants), "Program Award" (17 grants) and "Designation" (8 grants).
Who are United Way of Southeast Minnesota's largest grantees?
United Way of Southeast Minnesota's largest 2025 grantees include Families First of Minnesota ($98,048), Barbershop & Social Services ($90,000) and Sports Mentorship Academy (Sma) ($80,122), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of Southeast Minnesota?
United Way of Southeast Minnesota reported $3.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.1M.
What does United Way of Southeast Minnesota fund?
United Way of Southeast Minnesota’s mission is to respond to the greatest needs in its region by inspiring people to get involved, give back, and take action. Its vision is a resilient region where residents are healthy, households are financially secure, and young people succeed in school and life. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Southeast Minnesota?
Review the relevant RFP and submit an application with the materials specified for that opportunity; applicants can sign up for the organization’s listserv for notices of new opportunities. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is United Way of Southeast Minnesota's EIN?
United Way of Southeast Minnesota's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-0695594. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 30, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 31, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of Southeast Minnesota's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United Way of Southeast Minnesota funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-southeast-minnesota-morg_4422cc2411a8428a91418284d4a43dd7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_410695594_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Way of Southeast Minnesota funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-southeast-minnesota-morg_4422cc2411a8428a91418284d4a43dd7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Southeast 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 Southeast Minnesota down — hundreds of funders to go?