United Way of the Big Bend Inc
United Way of the Big Bend Inc. is a public charity based in Tallahassee, Florida. It supports human-service programs in the Big Bend region, with a strategic focus on addressing poverty and the needs of ALICE households—those who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed—as well as people living in poverty.
United Way of the Big Bend Inc at a glance
In short: United Way of the Big Bend Inc gave $1.2M across 26 grants in 2025 (avg $47K), mostly in Florida. 19% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,232,008
- -5.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 26
- +4.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $47,385
- -8.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $3,446,458
- -0.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (5 of 26, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Florida (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to United Way of the Big Bend Inc
- Review Cycle
- October 6, 2026, for the 2027–2029 cycle’s LOI.
- Deadline
- October 6, 2026, for the 2027–2029 cycle’s LOI.
- Contact
Mailing address: 307 East Seventh Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32303-5520
Phone: (850) 414-0844
Website: https://uwbb.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who United Way of the Big Bend Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Big Bend Homeless Coalition ($115K). Together the top 10 received $818K.
Grant Size Distribution
123 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 56 grants of 123 (46%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
UWBB serves an eight-county region: Leon, Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla counties in Florida. The 2025 grants listed in the filing were all awarded to Florida recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
Cities
Is United Way of the Big Bend Inc open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 26 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $34K; repeat grants $51K. How we count
Medians: $30K first-time, $52K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.2M (2025) to $2.0M (2019). In 2025 it made 26 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Big Bend Homeless Coalition Tallahassee, FL | Human Services Support | $115,000 |
| Refuge House Tallahassee, FL | Human Services Support | $108,500 |
| Elder Care Services Tallahassee, FL | Human Services Support | $103,637 |
| Emergency Care Help Org Tallahassee, FL | Human Services Support | $90,000 |
| Kids Inc of the Big Bend Tallahassee, FL | Human Services Support | $77,210 |
| Brehon Family Institute Tallahassee, FL | Human Services Support | $75,000 |
| America's Second Harvest Tallahassee, FL | Human Services Support | $70,587 |
| Cesc Kearney Center Tallahassee, FL | Human Services Support | $65,453 |
| Refire Culinary Tallahassee, FL | Human Services Support | $57,509 |
| 211 Big Bend Tallahassee, FL | Human Services Support | $55,000 |
Ready to take the next step with United Way of the Big Bend Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,446,458 | $3,427,283 | $3,536,960 | $1,232,008 | 26 | $70,003 |
| 2024 | $3,477,606 | $3,713,850 | $3,542,505 | $1,299,245 | 25 | $85,348 |
| 2023 | $3,484,922 | $3,365,378 | $3,128,623 | $1,357,455 | 28 | $42,609 |
| 2022 | $3,310,893 | $3,005,725 | $3,064,317 | $1,767,528 | 22 | $88,595 |
| 2021 | $3,794,370 | $3,600,249 | $3,233,204 | $1,617,909 | 22 | $70,108 |
| 2020 | $3,345,919 | $3,731,794 | $3,836,211 | $1,595,233 | 26 | $27,759 |
| 2019 | $3,978,879 | $4,318,779 | $3,924,351 | $1,975,495 | 29 | $34,268 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
UWBB’s mission is “to raise awareness, mobilize resources and find collaborative, targeted solutions for our community’s most vital concerns.” Its five funding priority areas are housing; early learning and education; health and mental health; safety net services; and skills development. The current funding opportunity is for programs serving the ALICE population within these areas.
Recent grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. Big Bend Homeless Coalition describes its mission as ending homelessness in the Big Bend area through leadership, education, advocacy, services, and affordable housing. Refuge House says it provides direct services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and their families, and works to eliminate such violence through education and advocacy. America’s Second Harvest describes its work as feeding people experiencing hunger and educating and engaging the community. REfire Culinary provides culinary skills training, job experience, and job-placement support for people with felony convictions.
Grantmaking
UWBB’s 2025 filing lists 26 grants totaling $1,232,008. Grant amounts ranged from $5,061 to $115,000, with a median of $50,000. All listed grant dollars went to recipients in Florida. Separately, UWBB announced that its board approved $1.24 million for the 2025–2027 community investment cycle, supporting 63 programs across eight counties.
Among the largest grants listed for 2025 were $115,000 to Big Bend Homeless Coalition, $108,500 to Refuge House, $103,637 to Elder Care Services, $90,000 to Emergency Care Help Org, and $77,210 to Kids Inc of the Big Bend. The filing describes these grants as human services support.
UWBB has opened the Letter of Intent to Apply stage for its 2027–2029 Community Investment Cycle. Eligible nonprofit organizations may apply for programs in one or more of the five focus areas and in more than one county. The grant term is 24 months, from July 2027 through June 2029, with mandatory quarterly reporting. The application process begins with an LOI. UWBB’s filing describes an annual grant review process that includes agency applications with three years of budget information, narratives about prior and planned use of funds, financial and program review, and quarterly performance-outcome reporting.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Rhett Bagwell as chair of the board, Beth Corum as chair-elect, Erik Davis as immediate past chair, Daniel Vermette as secretary, and Andrew Gay as treasurer. It also lists Lisa Garcia as Community Impact Committee chair and John Harris as Philanthropy Committee chair. Angie Sipple is listed as chair of the board through July 2024; Sally Bradshaw is listed as at-large through September 2024; and Chris Mills is listed as at-large.
United Way of the Big Bend Inc is led by Berneice Cox, President & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2019); 2 of 34 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Berneice Cox
President & CEO
Director → President & Cep, 2022
President & Cep → President & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$137K (2022) → $142K (2025)
Rhett Bagwell
Chair of the Board
Director → At-Large, 2022
At-Large → Chair of the Board, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Angie Sipple
Chair of the Board
Ex-Officio → Chair-Elect, 2023
Chair-Elect → Chair of the Board, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Garcia
Community Impact Committee Chair
At-Large → Community Impact Committee Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Harris
Philanthropy Committee Chair
At-Large → Philanthropy Committee Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Clay Tullos
Vp-Finance & Operations
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$85K (2024) → $93K (2025)
Beth Corum
Chair-Elect
Director → At-Large, 2022
At-Large → Chair-Elect, 2025
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Vermette
Secretary
Director → At-Large, 2023
At-Large → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Darrick McGhee
At-Large
Immediate Past Chair → Director, 2021
Director → At-Large, 2022
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erik Davis
Immediate Past Chair
Chair Elect → Chair-Elect, 2022
Chair-Elect → Immediate Past Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
3.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Larry Robinson
At-Large
Director → At-Large, 2022
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark O'Bryant
At-Large
Secretary → Director, 2021
Director → At-Large, 2022
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sally Bradshaw
At-Large
Community Impact Chair → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → At-Large, 2025
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Derzypolski
At-Large Executive Committee Member
Immediate Past Chair → At-Large, 2023
At-Large → At-Large Executive Committee Member, 2025
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sue Dick
At-Large
Director → At-Large, 2022
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeannie Garner
At-Large
Director → At-Large, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Murdaugh
At-Large
Chairman → Chair, 2022
Chair → At-Large, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Reese Goad
At-Large
Director → At-Large, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rocky Hanna
At-Large
Director → At-Large, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tena Pate
At-Large Executive Committee Member
At-Large → Community Impact Chair, 2023
Community Impact Chair → At-Large Executive Committee Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Mills
At-Large
At-Large → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → At-Large, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Mitcham
At-Large
Director → At-Large, 2022
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jimmy Cole
At-Large
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lynn Hatter
At-Large
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lynn Jones
At-Large
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Mosley
At-Large
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vince Long
At-Large
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Gay
Treasurer
At-Large → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly Price
At-Large
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charlie Ward
At-Large
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jared Miller
At-Large
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robin Vernon
At-Large
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shawn Roberts
At-Large
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wayne Mayo
At-Large
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (35)
- Former: Julie Montanaro (2019–2024) — Resource Development Chair
- Former: Wendy Walker (2019–2024) — At-Large
- Former: David Harvey (2023–2024) — At-Large
- Former: Irvin Chikoti (2019–2023) — Former Vp-Finance & Operations
- Former: Alan Keese (2019–2022) — Resource Development Chair
- Former: Cissy Proctor (2019–2022) — At-Large
- Former: Eric Grant (2019–2022) — At-Large
- Former: Fred Baggett (2019–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Holly Henderson (2019–2022) — At-Large
- Former: Jay Smith (2019–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Liz Hirst (2019–2022) — At-Large
- Former: Ron Sachs (2019–2022) — At-Large
- Former: Skip Foster (2019–2022) — At-Large
- Former: Steve Uhfelder (2019–2022) — At-Large
- Former: Tom Harrison (2019–2022) — At-Large
- Former: Wanda Hunter (2019–2022) — At-Large
- Former: Ashley Rousseau (2020–2022) — At-Large
- Former: David Garner (2020–2022) — At-Large
- Former: Heidi Otway (2020–2022) — At-Large
- Former: Rob Clarke (2020–2022) — At-Large
- Former: Berniece Cox (2020–2021) — President & CEO
- Former: Luke Thompson (2021) — Ex-Officio
- Former: Alan Williams (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Katrina Rolle (2019–2020) — Executive Director & President
- Former: Madeline Pumariega (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Virginia Glass (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Brooke Hallock (2019) — Director
- Former: Christina Fanning (2019) — Ex-Officio
- Former: Fran Close (2019) — Director
- Former: Glenda Thornton (2019) — Ex-Officio
- Former: Michelle Gayle (2019) — Director
- Former: Sam Rogers (2019) — Director
- Former: Sammiekim Dixon (2019) — Campain Chair
- Former: Steve Evans (2019) — Director
- Former: Tom Pennekamp (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $142K, to Berneice Cox (President/CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about United Way of the Big Bend Inc
How much does United Way of the Big Bend Inc give each year?
United Way of the Big Bend Inc gave $1.2M across 26 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.3M across 25 grants.
What is United Way of the Big Bend Inc's typical grant size?
United Way of the Big Bend Inc's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $47,385, across 26 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of the Big Bend Inc that year got $34K on average.
Where does United Way of the Big Bend Inc give grants?
United Way of the Big Bend Inc gives mostly in Florida: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Tallahassee, FL (23 grants).
Does United Way of the Big Bend Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 26 grants with a stated purpose on United Way of the Big Bend Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Human Services Support" (26 grants).
Who are United Way of the Big Bend Inc's largest grantees?
United Way of the Big Bend Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Big Bend Homeless Coalition ($115,000), Refuge House ($108,500) and Elder Care Services ($103,637), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of the Big Bend Inc?
United Way of the Big Bend Inc reported $3.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.4M.
What does United Way of the Big Bend Inc fund?
UWBB’s mission is “to raise awareness, mobilize resources and find collaborative, targeted solutions for our community’s most vital concerns.” Its five funding priority areas are housing; early learning and education; health and mental health; safety net services; and skills development. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of the Big Bend Inc?
United Way of the Big Bend Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check uwbb.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is United Way of the Big Bend Inc's EIN?
United Way of the Big Bend Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 59-6011150. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 23, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 30, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 31, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work United Way of the Big Bend Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of the Big Bend Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United Way of the Big Bend Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-the-big-bend-inc-morg_ad31d725712b4440b93f08802d7cb4b3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_596011150_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Way of the Big Bend Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-the-big-bend-inc-morg_ad31d725712b4440b93f08802d7cb4b3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-24. 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 the Big Bend 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 the Big Bend Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?