United Way of the Flint Hills Inc
United Way of the Flint Hills Inc is a public charity based in Emporia, Kansas. It supports programs addressing human needs in its Kansas service area through grants to community organizations and through its own initiatives.
Key facts about United Way of the Flint Hills Inc
In short: United Way of the Flint Hills Inc gave $276K across 18 grants in 2024 (avg $15K), mostly in Kansas. 17% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 48-0756002
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $276,086
- Grants made (2024)
- 18
- Average grant
- $15,338
- Median grant
- $10,250
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (3 of 18, 2024; small sample)
- Total assets
- $601,022
- Primary geography
- Kansas (69% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$601K
-14.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$276K
+7.1% YoY
Grant Count
18
+12.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
-4.8% YoY
Is United Way of the Flint Hills Inc open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 18 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $26K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $11K repeat.
- 78% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−10%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission, as stated on its website, is “Building a vibrant community by focusing on education, income, and health.” Its 2024 filing describes mobilizing resources to identify and address human needs through annual campaigns and allocating support to programs that meet those needs.
Its stated priority areas are helping children and youth succeed; supporting vulnerable and aging populations; promoting self-sufficiency; strengthening and supporting families; and building vital and safe neighborhoods. Its program description says it provides funds to other 501(c)(3) organizations to help them provide community programs.
Grantees’ own missions illustrate the kinds of organizations supported. SOS Inc says it empowers and advocates for people affected by sexual and domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking, child abuse, and neglect. Kansas Legal Services says it helps low-income Kansans meet basic needs through legal and mediation services. Bloom House Youth Services describes itself as a youth center offering trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ inclusive support for young people displaced from their families.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the organization reported 18 grants totaling $276,086. Grant amounts ranged from $6,500 to $61,766, with a median of $10,250. The organization’s website separately says it invested $240,000 in 2024 through Community Partner, Emerging Needs, or United for Racial Equity grants and programs in its eight-county service area.
Notable 2024 grants included $24,098 to The Dollywood Foundation, $22,500 to SOS Inc, $20,000 to Emporia Community Daycare, and $17,000 each to Kansas Legal Services and the Salvation Army in Emporia. Other listed awards included $12,000 each to Camp Alexander and Jayhawk Area Council BSA, and $10,000 to Building Blocks Community Child Care, Crosswinds Counseling, and Little Huskies Childcare Center.
The Emerging Needs Grants program supports time-sensitive, innovative approaches to health and human services needs. Funding is short-term and intended for start-up costs for a new program or a vital program addressing education, income, or health priorities. The stated award range is $0–$2,000. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) public charities or government agencies operating and providing services in the program’s service area; individuals are not eligible. A 501(c)(3) sponsor may serve as fiscal agent. Applicants must meet applicable licensing, health, and safety requirements, certify compliance with counterterrorism laws, and abide by an Affiliate Partner Agreement.
The website says Community Partners go through an application process that includes a detailed application, site visits, and a presentation to the Community Investment Committee, followed by mid-year and year-end reports. Organizations in the service area are invited to apply annually for Community Partner status.
The Community Impact Grant is described for select previous 2025 Community Partners whose funding structure transitioned to a project-based model. Its stated maximum is $1,500 per organization for the 2026 calendar year, for a specific program, service, or activity rather than unrestricted general support. Deadline: February 16, 2026; this is a past cycle.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from United Way of the Flint Hills Inc
Ready to take the next step with United Way of the Flint Hills Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s website identifies Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Lyon, Morris, Osage, and Woodson Counties, plus Wabaunsee County ZIP codes 66423, 66431, and 66507, as its local service area. Its grant-program descriptions identify the eight-county area as Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Lyon, Morris, Osage, Wabaunsee, and Woodson Counties in Kansas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $258K (2023) to $398K (2020). In 2024 it made 18 grants totaling $276K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Grants to Org-Cash ($62K). Together the top 10 received $207K.
Grant Size Distribution
97 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 95 grants of 97 (98%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Grants to Org-Cash | — | $61,766 |
| The Dollywood Foundation Pigeon Forge, TN | — | $24,098 |
| SOS Emporia, KS | — | $22,500 |
| Emporia Community Daycare Emporia, KS | — | $20,000 |
| Kansas Legal Services Topeka, KS | — | $17,000 |
| Salvation Army Emporia, KS | — | $17,000 |
| Camp Alexander Emporia, KS | Client Assistance | $12,000 |
| Jayhawk Area Council BSA Emporia, KS | Client Assistance | $12,000 |
| United Cerebral Palsy Wichita, KS | — | $10,500 |
| Building Blocks Community Child Car Emporia, KS | Client Assistance | $10,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $601,022 | $432,817 | $561,369 | $276,086; 18 grants |
| 2023 | $701,199 | $379,032 | $454,620 | $257,861; 16 grants |
| 2022 | $780,872 | $445,690 | $600,024 | Grant count: 0 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $601,022 | $701,199 | $780,872 |
| Revenue | $432,817 | $379,032 | $445,690 |
| Expenses | $561,369 | $454,620 | $600,024 |
| Net Investment Income | $8,190 | $3,040 | $3,978 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Daphne Reed Mertens as “EXECUTIVE DI,” Mickey Edwards as “FORMER EXEC,” Michelle Boyce, Ryann Brooks, McKenzie Cinelli, Cara Codney, Aron Dody, and Missy Floyd as directors, Jennifer Brothers as treasurer, and Scott Hayes as chair.
United Way of the Flint Hills Inc is led by Scott Hayes, Chair since 2024 (on filings since 2022); 2 of 16 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Scott Hayes
Chair
Director → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aron Dody
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
McKenzie Cinelli
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Boyce
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sara Schwerdtfeger
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cara Codney
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carolyn Hollins
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Maldonado
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Missy Floyd
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebeca Herrera
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Karjala
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryann Brooks
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mickey Edwards
Former Executive
Executive Director & Clerk → Executive Di, 2023
Executive Di → Former Executive, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$65K (2020) → $19K (2024)
Daphne Reed Mertens
Executive Di
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$58K (2024)
Jennifer Brothers
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brandee Orender
Vice Chair
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (17)
- Former: Bj Bayer (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Mandi Beyer (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Allison Anderson Harder (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Matt Coleman (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Julie Cooper (2022–2023) — Chair
- Former: Lynn Cunningham (2022–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Lucas Markowitz (2023) — Director
- Former: Orlando Sheets (2023) — Director
- Former: Clare Spellman (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Coralie Owens (2020–2022) — Chair
- Former: Rolland Trahoon (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Charlotte Vance-Scholze (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Allison Garrett (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Brad Kraft (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jeff Williams (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Ron Thomas (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Kevin Case (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $58K, to Daphne Reed Mertens (Executive Di). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 702 Commercial Suite 2-E, Emporia, KS 66801
Phone: (620) 342-7564
Website: https://unitedwayoftheflinthills.org
Frequently asked questions about United Way of the Flint Hills Inc
How much does United Way of the Flint Hills Inc give each year?
United Way of the Flint Hills Inc gave $276K across 18 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $258K across 16 grants.
What is United Way of the Flint Hills Inc's typical grant size?
United Way of the Flint Hills Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,250, and its average grant was $15,338, across 18 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of the Flint Hills Inc that year got $26K on average.
Where does United Way of the Flint Hills Inc give grants?
United Way of the Flint Hills Inc gives mostly in Kansas: 69% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Tennessee (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Emporia, KS (11 grants) and Wichita, KS (2 grants).
Who are United Way of the Flint Hills Inc's largest grantees?
United Way of the Flint Hills Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Grants to Org-Cash ($61,766), The Dollywood Foundation ($24,098) and SOS ($22,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of the Flint Hills Inc?
United Way of the Flint Hills Inc reported $601K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $433K.
What does United Way of the Flint Hills Inc fund?
The organization’s mission, as stated on its website, is “Building a vibrant community by focusing on education, income, and health.” Its 2024 filing describes mobilizing resources to identify and address human needs through annual campaigns and allocating support to programs that meet those needs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of the Flint Hills Inc?
United Way of the Flint Hills Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check unitedwayoftheflinthills.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is United Way of the Flint Hills Inc's EIN?
United Way of the Flint Hills Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 48-0756002. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching United Way of the Flint Hills Inc by hand.
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