United Way of Southeast Minnesota
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.
Key facts about United Way of Southeast Minnesota
- EIN
- 41-0695594
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,124,647
- Grants made (2025)
- 43
- Average grant
- $26,155
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $3,918,080
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who United Way of Southeast Minnesota funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for United Way of Southeast Minnesota's 43 itemized 2025 grants were Minnesota (98%). The most frequent recipient cities were Rochester, MN (26 grants) and Kasson, MN (2 grants). None of its 43 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Award and Designation" (17 grants), "Program Award" (17 grants) and "Designation" (8 grants).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.9M
-7.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
-14.1% YoY
Grant Count
43
-12.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$26K
-2.2% 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.
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Southeast Minnesota?
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 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,918,080 | $4,229,833 | $4,601,041 |
| Revenue | $3,126,478 | $3,311,565 | $3,451,495 |
| Expenses | $3,478,003 | $3,603,601 | $3,930,338 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $51,957 | $51,333 | $32,911 |
| 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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
226 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from United Way of Southeast Minnesota
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Families First of Minnesota ($98,048), Barbershop & Social Services ($90,000), Sports Mentorship Academy (sma) ($80,122).
| 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 |
| 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 |
| THE SALVATION ARMY ROCHESTER MINNESOTA ROCHESTER, MN | PROGRAM AWARD | $41,252 |
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 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARMIN BUDIMLIC | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| CHARLIE PERKINS | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| RANDY SCHUBRING | 2ND VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| LUKE FREUND | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| CALLY BUNNE | ASSISTANT TREASURER | 1 | — |
| SIDNEY FRYE II | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| STEPHANIE HEDRICK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ALEX ALEXANDER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHRUTHI NAIK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KERI OLSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEFFREY STILWELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LILLYAM ARROYAVE-GOMEZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SARA-LOUISE HENRY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LISA QUEDNOW | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NICK RETHEMEIER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KATIE SCHRODEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEROME FERSON | PRESIDENT | 38 | $160,496 |
| DALE O'GROSKE | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 38 | $97,148 |
| JULIE RUZEK | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 38 | $109,182 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does United Way of Southeast Minnesota fund?
**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 Ne…
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Southeast Minnesota?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $1,408,795 (2024) • Typical award range: $5,196–$285,213 • Recent funding round: $1.1 million approved for 48 partnerships across Olmsted, Dodge, and Winona counties (2024-25) **Funding Focus Areas:** • Reproductive health • Nonprofit human services • Human and social services • Poverty alleviation **Recent Partners (2024-25):** The organization funds a diverse portfolio of community organizations including Olmsted County Health, Housing and Human Services; R…
Where does United Way of Southeast Minnesota make grants?
• Olmsted County, Minnesota (primary) • Dodge County, Minnesota • Fillmore County, Minnesota • Winona County, Minnesota • Secondary funding in Wisconsin and Georgia
What size grants does United Way of Southeast Minnesota award?
In 2025, United Way of Southeast Minnesota awarded 43 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $26K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
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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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.