United Way of Story County Inc
United Way of Story County Inc is a public charity based in Ames, Iowa. It supports services and programs provided by partner agencies in Story County and describes its role as uniting people, ideas, and resources to transform lives in the county.
United Way of Story County Inc at a glance
In short: United Way of Story County Inc gave $1.2M across 26 grants in 2025 (avg $45K), mostly in Iowa. 4% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,160,426
- -2.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 26
- -10.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $44,632
- +8.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $36,505
- Total assets
- $4,359,746
- +6.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 4% first-time grantees (1 of 26, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Iowa (100% 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 Story County Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 315 Clark Ave, Ames, IA 50010
Phone: (515) 268-5142
Website: https://uwstory.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from United Way of Story County Inc
2026 Financial Empowerment Major Grant
United Way of Story County Inc
Amount
Up to $100,000 total (maximum 3 agencies)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Community Impact Grants
United Way of Story County Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling (quarterly review)
Golf Fore Kids Grants
United Way of Story County Inc
Amount
Up to $3,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who United Way of Story County Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Youth and Shelter Services ($205K). Together the top 10 received $806K.
Grant Size Distribution
145 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 106 grants of 145 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s grantmaking serves Story County, Iowa. All 2025 grant dollars listed in the filing went to recipients in Iowa.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
Cities
Is United Way of Story County Inc open to new grantees?
4%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 26 grantees (4%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $46K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $37K repeat.
- 92% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−4%). Method
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 $1.2M (2023). In 2025 it made 26 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Youth and Shelter Services Ames, IA | To support the operations of Story county community agencies | $205,297 |
| Boys and Girls Club Ames, IA | To support the operations of Story county community agencies | $87,506 |
| Heartland Senior Services Ames, IA | To support the operations of Story county community agencies | $86,996 |
| Assault Care Center Ames, IA | To support the operations of Story county community agencies | $79,551 |
| Story Time Childcare Center Maxwell, IA | To support the operations of Story county community agencies | $73,040 |
| Salvation Army Ames, IA | To support the operations of Story county community agencies | $66,218 |
| Primary Health Care Ames, IA | To support the operations of Story county community agencies | $55,136 |
| Acpc Ames, IA | To support the operations of Story county community agencies | $54,744 |
| MGMC Home Health Services Ames, IA | To support the operations of Story county community agencies | $51,192 |
| Raising Readers in Story County Ames, IA | To support the operations of Story county community agencies | $46,059 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,359,746 | $2,385,051 | $2,332,345 | $1,160,426 | 26 | $166,339 |
| 2024 | $4,114,514 | $2,539,626 | $2,435,205 | $1,191,921 | 29 | $196,961 |
| 2023 | $3,767,137 | $2,574,871 | $2,234,046 | $1,220,733 | 32 | $111,805 |
| 2022 | $3,255,798 | $2,197,402 | $2,204,512 | $1,214,547 | 28 | $67,066 |
| 2021 | $3,436,095 | $2,577,156 | $2,217,531 | $1,207,872 | 30 | $121,015 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is to unite people, ideas, and resources to transform lives in Story County. Its website identifies Bright Futures, Financial Empowerment, and Collective Well-Being as strategic pillars. It also describes grants for local nonprofits serving Story County in areas including health, education, and financial security.
Its supported organizations work across a range of community services. For example, Youth and Shelter Services says it provides prevention, education, treatment, and residential services to youth and families. Heartland Senior Services describes its work as offering life-enriching opportunities for older adults and supporting their families and caregivers. Raising Readers in Story County says it supports young children’s language and literacy development.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 26 grants totaling $1,160,426. Grants ranged from $8,200 to $205,297, with a median of $36,505. The largest award listed was $205,297 to Youth and Shelter Services in Ames. Other large awards included $87,506 to Boys and Girls Club, $86,996 to Heartland Senior Services, $79,551 to Assault Care Center, and $73,040 to Story Time Childcare Center.
The website says the bulk of its annual funding for health and human services is distributed through ASSET, a collaborative process that coordinates local planning, assesses needs, and recommends program funding. Its Community Impact Grants support unanticipated, emerging, or other distinct underfunded needs; the website states that the cycle is closed. The 2026 application timeline shown on the grant application page has passed. Eligibility information describes Story County nonprofit human-service organizations or agencies, with nonprofit status or a nonprofit fiscal agent, and requires a federal employer ID and determination letter. The page says applications aligned with Financial Empowerment and Collective Well-Being goals, serving low- to moderate-income populations, demonstrating matching funds or community resources, and proposing new or expanded programs not already funded by UWSC or ASSET are strong applications. Listed exclusions include capital expenditures, programs already funded by UWSC or ASSET, ongoing operational funding or staff salaries, endowments, fundraising events, lobbying, standalone travel, and programs with inherently religious activities.
The website announced Friendship Ark and Mustard Seed Community Farm as 2026 Financial Empowerment Major Grant awardees, with $18,000 for Representative Pay Program Equipment and $50,000 for a Community Kitchen & Micro-Enterprise Incubator. ASSET applications are due at the end of September for the following fiscal year; the listed September 30, 2026 deadline is past.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Karen Kiel Rosser as board chair, Amber Deardorff as past chair, Joel Hochstein as immediate past board chair, Jane Woodley as corporation treasurer, and Chelsey Aisenbrey as second vice chair. It also lists Shamaree Brown, Jason Henderson, Andrew Perry, Milly Agai, and Katelyn Proctor as directors.
United Way of Story County Inc is led by Ashley Thompson, President & CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2023); 2 of 19 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ashley Thompson
President & CEO
Director → President, 2024
President → President & CEO, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$53K (2024) → $112K (2025)
Karen Kiel Rosser
Board Chair
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cindy Smith
Finance Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$61K (2025)
Bethany McCurdy
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason Mortvedt
Director
Member → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katie Shively
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Milly Agai
Director
Director → 2nd Vice Chair, 2024
2nd Vice Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Perry
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katelyn Proctor
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason Henderson
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nick Hoffman
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shamaree Brown
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emma Cassabaum
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason Kieth
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Cue
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amber Deardorff
Past Chair
1st Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2023
Board Chair → Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joel Hochstein
Immediate Past Board Chair
1st Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2024
Board Chair → Immediate Past Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane Woodley
Corporation Treasurer
Director → Corporation Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chelsey Aisenbrey
2nd Vice Chair
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (21)
- Former: Jean Kresse (2021–2024) — Past President & CEO
- Former: Kim Iiams (2021–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Emily Randall (2022–2024) — Finance Director
- Former: Emily Sargent (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Sharon Perry Fantini (2023–2024) — 1st Vice Chair
- Former: Adavid Inyang (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Jonathan Wickert (2021–2023) — Past Chair
- Former: Kurt Jensen (2021–2023) — Corporation Treasurer
- Former: Steve Tenney (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Julie Haverly (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Matt Franco (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Yadiel Johnson (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Brian Schwartze (2021) — Member
- Former: Calli Sanders (2021) — Member
- Former: Cindy Atwood (2021) — Finance Director
- Former: David Benson (2021) — Member
- Former: Jacklyn Anderzohn (2021) — Finance Director
- Former: Jane Acker (2021) — Secretary
- Former: Jenny Risner (2021) — Member
- Former: Kim Linduska (2021) — Member
- Former: Pam White (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 $112K, to Ashley Thompson (President and CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about United Way of Story County Inc
How much does United Way of Story County Inc give each year?
United Way of Story County Inc gave $1.2M across 26 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.2M across 29 grants.
What is United Way of Story County Inc's typical grant size?
United Way of Story County Inc's median grant in 2025 was $36,505, and its average grant was $44,632, across 26 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of Story County Inc that year got $8K on average.
Where does United Way of Story County Inc give grants?
United Way of Story County Inc gives mostly in Iowa: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Ames, IA (19 grants) and Des Moines, IA (2 grants).
Does United Way of Story County Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 26 grants with a stated purpose on United Way of Story County Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Support the Operations of Story County Community Agencies" (25 grants).
Who are United Way of Story County Inc's largest grantees?
United Way of Story County Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Youth and Shelter Services ($205,297), Boys and Girls Club ($87,506) and Heartland Senior Services ($86,996), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of Story County Inc?
United Way of Story County Inc reported $4.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.4M.
What does United Way of Story County Inc fund?
The organization’s mission is to unite people, ideas, and resources to transform lives in Story County. Its website identifies Bright Futures, Financial Empowerment, and Collective Well-Being as strategic pillars. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Story County Inc?
United Way of Story County Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check uwstory.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is United Way of Story County Inc's EIN?
United Way of Story County Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-0947489. 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 October 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 November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of Story County Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United Way of Story County Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-story-county-inc-morg_28c16f20dda64ed5b68f2f1b6bdde4da
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_420947489_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Way of Story County Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-story-county-inc-morg_28c16f20dda64ed5b68f2f1b6bdde4da},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 Story County 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.
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