United Way of the Midlands
United Way of the Midlands (UWM) is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Omaha, Nebraska, serving the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area. Founded in 1923, the organization has operated for more than 100 years as a community-wide philanthropic leader. UWM functions as a strategic partner in community impact, positioning itself as a neutral and trusted entity dedicated to addressing social and economic disparities through partnerships with local agencies and direct service delivery.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$23.9M
-5.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.5M
-26.2% YoY
Grant Count
84
-6.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$90K
-20.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: United Way of the Midlands unites our community's caring spirit to build a stronger tomorrow.
UWM's primary focus areas include:
- Education and youth development (from early childhood education to college and career success)
- Health and human services
- Economic mobility and financial stability
- Emergency food and shelter services
- Mental health and substance use support
The organization emphasizes addressing social and economic disparities through data-driven community investments and partnerships with over 600 local nonprofit organizations.
Grantmaking
UWM operates multiple funding streams with committee-based review processes that include subject matter experts and citizen volunteers.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
United Way of the Midlands primarily serves the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area in Nebraska and Iowa, with a focus on local nonprofit programs and community-based initiatives within this region.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024-2025):
- Total Assets: $23,905,376–$25,200,000
- Total Liabilities: $14,100,000
- Annual Revenue: $28,100,000 (2024)
- Annual Expenses: $28,700,000 (2024)
- Total Giving: $9,920,974
Campaign Fundraising: The organization raised more than $40 million through campaigns and programs to invest in the community, supported by more than 600 partner organizations and top 100 corporate donors.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $23,905,376 | $25,201,748 | $26,280,757 |
| Revenue | $28,866,230 | $28,067,593 | $38,857,769 |
| Expenses | $29,487,695 | $28,732,939 | $40,968,989 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $641,510 | $846,381 | $247,772 |
| 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
150 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from United Way of the Midlands
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Community Health Charities ($503,557), Nebraska Center for Workforce Development & Education ($360,492), Heartland Family Service ($286,132).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AFRICAN AMERICAN EMPOWERMENT NETWORK OMAHA, NE | COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND ALLOCATIONS | $100,000 |
| AUTISM ACTION PARTNERSHIP OMAHA, NE | COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND ALLOCATIONS | $50,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE MIDLANDS OMAHA, NE | COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND ALLOCATIONS | $40,000 |
| BOY SCOUTS MID-AMERICA COUNCIL OMAHA, NE | PARTNERSHIP ALLOCATIONS | $50,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF THE MIDLANDS OMAHA, NE | COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND ALLOCATIONS | $125,000 |
| BRIGHT MINDS-BRIGHTER FUTURES EARLY LEARNING CENTER OMAHA, NE | COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND ALLOCATIONS | $40,000 |
| CAROLES HOUSE OF HOPE INC OMAHA, NE | COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND ALLOCATIONS | $25,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES DIOCESE OF DES MOINES COUNCIL BLUFFS DES MOINES, IA | COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND ALLOCATIONS | $40,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF OMAHA OMAHA, NE | COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND ALLOCATIONS | $95,000 |
| CHILD SAVING INSTITUTE OMAHA, NE | COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND ALLOCATIONS | $130,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Shawna Forsberg – Executive Director
- Bekah Rossi – Primary Contact
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRIAN WOOLFOLK | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ERIC TIRITILLI | BOARD SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| PAM BEALL HILL | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MATTHEW DEBOER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| GLADYS HARRISON | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CAROL HENRICHS | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DEREK LEATHERS | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| PAUL MAASS | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| RANDY WOOD | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CHANDA CHACON | BOARD CHAIR | 1 | — |
| ANNA CRAMER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SAL ISSAKA | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CHRIS LEITNER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TY KREITMAN | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JOE SULLIVAN | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MAQUI PARKERSON | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DR ANDREW RIKLI | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TRACY SCHAEFER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| GRETCHEN TWOHIG | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DINA TILGNER | BOARD TREASURER | 1 | — |
| CHRIS SCHAFFER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DAVE WARREN | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TROY VIA | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SHAWNA FORSBERG | PRESIDENT/CEO | 45 | $369,369 |
| MATTHEW WALLEN | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 45 | $222,667 |
| JIM RICHARDSON | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 45 | $8,462 |
| LAURA KIMBALL | CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER | 40 | $132,994 |
| LAURA TATTEN | VP LEADERSHIP & PLANNED GIVING | 40 | $220,301 |
| TRAVIS KLEIN | SVP FINANCE & OPERATIONS | 40 | $222,568 |
| KRISSY SUSKI | SVP MARKETING & COMMUNICAT | 40 | $182,107 |
| SCOTT HUSCROFT | VP OF IT | 40 | $158,451 |
| REBECCA BLUM | VP OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS | 40 | $120,275 |
| TIMOTHY CALLAHAN | VP OF PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $124,998 |
| STEVEN RIPPE | VP OF 211 CONTACT CENTER | 40 | $123,862 |
| ANNETTE ZIMMERMAN | VP OF JAG NEBRASKA | 40 | $130,798 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
UWM continues to expand its grantmaking and community investment activities. The organization is actively accepting applications for the Community Impact Fund and has awarded significant grants to local nonprofits, including a $145,000 grant to support homeless prevention programming.
United Way, community foundation launch SPARK grant programThe organization launched the SPARK grant program in partnership with a community foundation to expand funding opportunities. UWM remains committed to coordinating and adapting future investment phases to address emerging community challenges, with a goal to deliver 10 million services in the coming year.
United Way, community foundation launch SPARK grant programContact Information
Address: 1229 Millwork Avenue, Suite 402, Omaha, NE 68102-4277
Phone: (402) 342-8232
Fax: (402) 342-7402
EIN: 47-0376605
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does United Way of the Midlands fund?
**Mission:** United Way of the Midlands unites our community's caring spirit to build a stronger tomorrow. UWM's primary focus areas include: • Education and youth development (from early childhood education to college and career success) • Health and human services • Economic mobility and financial stability • Emergency food and shelter services • Mental health and substance use support The organization emphasizes addressing social and economic disparities through data-driven community investm…
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of the Midlands?
UWM operates multiple funding streams with committee-based review processes that include subject matter experts and citizen volunteers. **Grant Programs:** • **Community Impact Fund** – The primary grantmaking vehicle for strategic community investments • **Community Care Fund Grant** – An active grant opportunity • **Emergency Food & Shelter Program** • **Karnett Trust** – A dedicated funding stream • **Stable Families Partnership** **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $6,000–$702…
Where does United Way of the Midlands make grants?
United Way of the Midlands primarily serves the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area in Nebraska and Iowa, with a focus on local nonprofit programs and community-based initiatives within this region.
What size grants does United Way of the Midlands award?
In 2025, United Way of the Midlands awarded 84 grants totaling $7.5M — an average of about $90K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is United Way of the Midlands's EIN?
United Way of the Midlands's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-0376605. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of the Midlands's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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