United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc
United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc is a public charity based in Abingdon, Virginia. It works to improve health, education, and financial stability across Southwest Virginia, and its reported work also includes community resilience and disaster recovery.
United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc at a glance
In short: United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc gave $4.5M across 22 grants in 2025 (avg $206K), mostly in Virginia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,538,354
- +1715.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 22
- +2100.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $206,289
- -17.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $68,339
- Total assets
- $1,420,479
- +57.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Virginia (62% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc
- How to Apply
-
The website lists an agency interest form for community investment and an application for CVC participation. The CVC application is for campaign participation, not a grant award.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 644, Abingdon, VA 24212
Phone: (276) 525-0122
Website: https://unitedwayswva.org
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 Southwest Virginia Inc
Who United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was United Way of East Tennessee Highlands ($1.5M). Together the top 10 received $4.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
50 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 37 grants of 50 (74%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization says it serves a 21-locality region in Southwest Virginia: Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe counties, and the cities of Bristol, Galax, Norton, and Radford. Its 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia (62%) and Tennessee (38%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
Cities
How United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc gives
- Giving grew 3475% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $127K (2022) to $4.5M (2025). In 2025 it made 22 grants totaling $4.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| United Way of East Tennessee Highlands Johnson City, TN | Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief | $1,500,156 |
| Washington County Virginia Abingdon, VA | Hurricane Helene and Other Natural Disaster Relief | $628,972 |
| Pulaski County Virginia Board of Supervisors Pulaski, VA | Hurricane Helene and Other Natural Disaster Relief | $590,986 |
| Giles County Board of Supervisors Pearisburg, VA | Hurricane Helene and Other Natural Disaster Relief | $384,846 |
| Eo Companies Abingdon, VA | Community Impact Activities | $251,979 |
| Smyth County Virginia Marion, VA | Hurricane Helene and Other Natural Disaster Relief | $247,276 |
| Big Prater Christian Foundation Inc Vansant, VA | Bucanan County Flood Disaster Relief | $175,133 |
| United Way of Greene County Greeneville, TN | Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief | $128,214 |
| Wise County Virginia Wise, VA | Hurricane Helene and Other Natural Disaster Relief | $98,732 |
| Tazewell County Board of Supervisors Tazewell, VA | Hurricane Helene and Other Natural Disaster Relief | $95,497 |
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,420,479 | $5,973,369 | $5,542,847 | $4,538,354 | 22 | $55,658 |
| 2024 | $901,614 | $1,264,954 | $622,252 | $250,000 | 1 | $11,328 |
| 2023 | $452,604 | $316,718 | $310,145 | — | — | $726 |
| 2022 | $507,591 | $445,124 | $522,555 | $126,939 | 12 | $669 |
| 2021 | $539,868 | $542,083 | $493,929 | $136,365 | 15 | $1,317 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is to fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in Southwest Virginia. Its website describes work across health, education, financial stability, and community resilience. For FY27, its stated community-investment focus areas include child and youth opportunity—such as school engagement, literacy, out-of-school learning, and youth mental health—and financial stability, including housing, utilities, nutritious food, and transportation for economically vulnerable families, particularly ALICE households.
The organization says it invests in partner agencies that are vetted nonprofits and also develops its own programming. Its website cites areas such as affordable childcare, food security, domestic violence prevention, and financial literacy. Its IRS filing describes a disaster recovery program that coordinates long-term recovery, connects residents to resources, and provides case management, financial assistance, and volunteer coordination. The filing also describes Stuff the Bus, a school-supply drive for students in need.
Among the 2025 grantees, EO Companies describes its own mission as expanding education, building the workforce, and addressing economic challenges. United Way of Sevier County describes its mission as uniting people and resources to build a stronger, healthier, safer community. United Way of Unicoi County describes its purpose as facilitating a better quality of life in the county by providing economic assistance to agencies furthering its community’s United Way mission.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 22 grants totaling $4,538,354. Grant amounts ranged from $17,392 to $1,500,156, with a median of $68,338. The largest listed grants included:
The organization’s 2024 filing says designated contributions received for other regional United Ways totaled $1,876,214; this was funding received, not grants given. The same filing says grant recipients are subject to written contracts describing the grant program’s scope and the responsibilities of both parties.
The organization also lists a Community Investment agency interest form for FY27. Separately, it invites eligible nonprofits to apply for participation in the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC), a charitable-giving platform; the organization states that it does not oversee or influence CVC participation approvals or funding decisions. The CVC application requires current 501(c)(3) status, service within its footprint, good financial standing, and a complete application with required documents, including a recent signed Form 990, IRS determination letter, signed counterterrorism compliance agreement, and board recommendation letter.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Stacey Ely, Brendan McSheehy (secretary), Kristen Westover (chair), Alan Jones Jr. (treasurer), Philip Altizer, Katie Thompson, Todd Asbury, Cameron Bell, Haskel Bledsoe, and Kalen Hunter (development committee chair) as directors.
United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc is led by Megan Parks, Executive Director on every filing since 2024; 1 of 19 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Megan Parks
Executive Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$89K (2025)
Donna Henry
Director- Comptroller & Benefits Committee Chair
Director → Director- Comptroller & Benefits Committee Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kalen Hunter
Director- Development Committee Chair
Director → Director- Development Committee Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristen Westover
Director- Chair
Director- Vice Chair → Director- Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heather Nicholson
Director
Chair-Public Relations Team → President, 2023
President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paula Dawson-Downs
Director
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aj Robinson
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alan Jones Jr.
Director- Treasurer
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andre Richmond
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brendan McSheehy
Director- Secretary
Director- Chair → Director- Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cameron Bell
Director
Director- Secretary → Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chad Whittington
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dennis Carter
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Haskel Bledsoe
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stacey Ely
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd Asbury
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Whitney Czelusniak
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katie Thompson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Philip Altizer
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (28)
- Former: Lucy Hochstein (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Chuck Slemp (2024) — Director
- Former: Jonathan Sweet (2024) — Director
- Former: Rick Nunley (2024) — Director
- Former: Travis Staton (2024) — Acting Executive Director
- Former: Dawn Myers (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Ferne Moschelle (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Robert W. Pilkington (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Sara R. Bohn (2021–2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Terri J. Welch (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Becky Melton (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Carolyn Roger (2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Guylene Wood-Setzer (2023) — Board Member
- Former: James Cabler (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Korie Flannagan (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Kristi Hall (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Raymond Juidici (2023) — Board Member
- Former: V Janie Astin (2023) — Board Member
- Former: William Lester (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Adam Alexander (2021–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: David Lowe (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Holly Kobia (2021–2022) — Chair-Development Team
- Former: J Shannon Hammons (2021–2022) — Community Investment Chair
- Former: Lara Ramsey (2021–2022) — Personnel Advisor
- Former: Jay Johnson (2022) — Advisor
- Former: Kathy Albert Harrell (2022) — Financial Advisor
- Former: N Reid Broughton (2022) — Legal Advisor
- Former: Kathy Albert CPA (2021) — Treasurer
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 $89K, to Megan Parks (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc
How much does United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc give each year?
United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc gave $4.5M across 22 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $250K across 1 grant.
What is United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc's typical grant size?
United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc's median grant in 2025 was $68,339, and its average grant was $206,289, across 22 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc give grants?
United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc gives mostly in Virginia: 62% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Tennessee (38%). The most frequent recipient cities were Abingdon, VA (2 grants).
Does United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 22 grants with a stated purpose on United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Hurricane Helene and Other Natural Disaster Relief" (15 grants) and "Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief" (5 grants).
Who are United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc's largest grantees?
United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc's largest 2025 grantees include United Way of East Tennessee Highlands ($1,500,156), Washington County Virginia ($628,972) and Pulaski County Virginia Board of Supervisors ($590,986), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc?
United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc reported $1.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.0M.
What does United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc fund?
The organization’s mission is to fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in Southwest Virginia. Its website describes work across health, education, financial stability, and community resilience. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc?
The website lists an agency interest form for community investment and an application for CVC participation. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc's EIN?
United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-0739250. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 2, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-southwest-virginia-inc-morg_38595f25a88b4699985125588dbd3307
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_540739250_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Way of Southwest Virginia Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-southwest-virginia-inc-morg_38595f25a88b4699985125588dbd3307},
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 Southwest Virginia Inc'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 Southwest Virginia Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?