United Way of the Plains Inc
United Way of the Plains Inc is a public charity based in Wichita, Kansas, formed in 1922. It supports nonprofit programs and community initiatives addressing needs in south-central Kansas, including health, youth opportunity, education, financial stability, and basic needs.
Key facts about United Way of the Plains Inc
In short: United Way of the Plains Inc gave $8.4M across 129 grants in 2024 (avg $65K), mostly in Kansas. 22% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 48-0547688
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $8,418,228
- Grants made (2024)
- 129
- Average grant
- $65,258
- Median grant
- $25,442
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (28 of 129, 2024)
- Total assets
- $23,360,094
- Primary geography
- Kansas (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The organization invites eligible nonprofits in its service area to review its funding opportunities. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The Aaron Joel Smith Memorial Youth Volunteer Scholarship deadline is October 13, 2026.
- Next open deadline
- October 13, 2026 (Aaron Joel Smith Memorial Youth Volunteer Scholarship)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$23.4M
+7.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.4M
-8.1% YoY
Grant Count
129
-15.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$65K
+9.1% YoY
Is United Way of the Plains Inc open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 28 of 129 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $26K; repeat grants $76K. How we count
Medians: $16K first-time, $33K repeat.
- 75% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−6%). 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 stated mission is “to improve lives by harnessing the caring power of our community to advance the common good in south central Kansas.” Its investment opportunities support work in health, youth opportunity, education, financial stability, and basic needs.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate the range of work supported. For example, Rainbows United describes its mission as enhancing the lives of children with special needs and their families; United Methodist Open Door says it provides for basic human needs and promotes positive life changes; and Family Promise of Greater Wichita says it works with families with children experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. Kansas Children’s Service League describes its mission as protecting and promoting children’s well-being, while Rise Up for Youth says it supports young people through education, mentoring, and empowerment.
Grantmaking
In 2024, United Way of the Plains reported 82 grants totaling **$5,849,628**. Grant amounts ranged from **$5,261 to $415,294**, with a median of **$33,750**. Separately, its filing reports that Opportunity on the Plains awarded almost **$4.1 million** to 63 programs conducted by 48 agencies that year. Promise on the Plains and Impact on the Plains together awarded **$190,000** to 14 agencies; community impact initiatives provided approximately **$170,000**.
Review Cycle
The Aaron Joel Smith Memorial Youth Volunteer Scholarship deadline is October 13, 2026. The Impact on the Plains deadline is September 30, 2026. No deadline is stated for Opportunity on the Plains.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from United Way of the Plains Inc
Aaron Joel Smith Memorial Youth Volunteer Scholarship
United Way of the Plains Inc
Amount
$25,000, $15,000, $10,000
Deadline
October 13, 2026
Family Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Grant (Kansas Housing Resources Corporation)
United Way of the Plains Inc
Amount
$1.1 million per year for 2 years ($2.2 million total)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Opportunity on the Plains Grant
United Way of the Plains Inc
Amount
$850,000 (education focus in 2025)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with United Way of the Plains Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
United Way of the Plains serves south-central Kansas, including Sedgwick, Barber, Butler (excluding ZIP code 67042), Cowley, Harper, Kingman, Pratt, and Sumner counties. Its 2024 itemized grant dollars were reported as 99% to Kansas recipients, with small shares listed for Colorado, Florida, and Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 129 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $8.4M (2024) to $10.0M (2022). In 2024 it made 129 grants totaling $8.4M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was United Methodist Open Door ($441K). Together the top 10 received $3.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
684 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 486 grants of 684 (71%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| United Methodist Open Door Wichita, KS | Grant Awards and Designations; Office Supplies/Equipment | $441,490 |
| Center of Hope Inc Wichita, KS | Grant Awards and Designations | $415,294 |
| Rainbows United Inc Wichita, KS | Grant Awards and Designations; Office Supplies/Equipment | $381,403 |
| Wichita Habitat for Humanity Wichita, KS | Grant Awards and Designations; Office Supplies/Equipment | $374,398 |
| Kansas Children's Service League Inc Wichita, KS | Grant Awards and Designations; Office Supplies/Equipment | $325,141 |
| Catholic Charities Inc Wichita, KS | Grant Awards and Designations; Office Supplies/Equipment | $307,688 |
| Greater Wichita YMCA Wichita, KS | Grant Awards and Designations; Office Supplies/Equipment | $293,331 |
| Child Start Inc Wichita, KS | Grant Awards and Designations; Office Supplies/Equipment | $245,733 |
| Boys & Girls Club of South Central Kansas Inc Wichita, KS | Grant Awards and Designations | $244,527 |
| Senior Services Inc of Wichita Wichita, KS | Grant Awards and Designations; Office Supplies/Equipment | $218,705 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $23,360,094 | $17,231,185 | $15,335,208 | $5,849,628 |
| 2023 | $21,647,640 | $14,045,665 | $14,891,523 | $6,836,326 |
| 2022 | $22,484,045 | $14,703,021 | $15,404,424 | $7,764,536 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $23,360,094 | $21,647,640 | $22,484,045 |
| Revenue | $17,231,185 | $14,045,665 | $14,703,021 |
| Expenses | $15,335,208 | $14,891,523 | $15,404,424 |
| Net Investment Income | $725,890 | $720,009 | $437,309 |
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 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Walter Berry as director and chairperson, Jennifer Szambecki as director and vice chairperson, and Sue Tirukonda as director and treasurer. Other listed directors are Adam Dunn, Bobby Gandu, Brad White, Bradley Dyer, Brian Burnett, Carol Russell, and Cornell Beard.
United Way of the Plains Inc is led by Peter Najera, Board Secretary, President & CEO on every filing since 2023; 3 of 36 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Peter Najera
Board Secretary, President & CEO
On filings since 2023
60 hrs/week
$314K (2023) → $324K (2024)
Walter Berry
Director & Chairperson
Director & Vice Chairperson → Director & Chairperson, 2024
On filings since 2023
2.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adam Dunn
Director
On filings since 2023
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bobby Gandu
Director
On filings since 2023
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bradley Dyer
Director
On filings since 2023
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Burnett
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carol Russell
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cornell Beard
Director
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Craig Anderson
Director & Immediate Past Chairperson
Director & Chairperson → Director & Immediate Past Chairperson, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Donna Linn Niles
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Doug Ledbetter
Director
On filings since 2023
1.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ebony Clemons
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gary Schmitt
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gene Camarena
Director
On filings since 2023
1.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Szambecki
Director & Vice Chairperson
Director → Director & Vice Chairperson, 2024
On filings since 2023
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Johnathan Weigand
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Judy Pierce
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katie Warren
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Margaret Dechant
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Moji Rosson
Director
On filings since 2023
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patricia L. Hardin
Director
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ron Baker
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Andrews
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sheree Utash
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sue Tirukonda
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tonya Sudduth
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Polite
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brad White
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jesse Romo
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Trowbridge
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin Welner
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lindsi Fulcher
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maelauren Hudson
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ricki Ellison
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Abel Frederic Jr.
Vice President
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$116K (2023) → $118K (2024)
Darren Minks
CFO
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$129K (2023) → $133K (2024)
Former officers (79)
- Former: Angelia Prather (2023) — Vice President
- Former: Jodi Noah (2023) — Director & Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Kevin Matthies (2023) — Director
- Former: Lavonta Williams (2023) — Director
- Former: Paul S. Allen (2023) — Director
- Former: Richard M. Kerschen (2023) — Director
- Former: Sam Marnick (2023) — Director
- Former: Allen Mr Paul S. (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Babich Mr Paul (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Beard Mr Cornell (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Berry Mr Walter (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Burnett Mr Brian (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Dixon Mr Steve (2020–2022) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Dunn Mr Adam (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Hardin Ms Patricia L. (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Iseman Mrs Diane M. (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Kerschen Mr Richard M. (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Labarca Ms Laurie (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Matthies Mr Kevin (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Minks Mr Darren (2020–2022) — CFO
- Former: Morris Jesse (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Najera Mr Peter (2020–2022) — Board Secretary, President & CEO
- Former: Noah Jodi (2020–2022) — Chairperson
- Former: Russell Ms Carol (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Schafer Ms Amy (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Sudduth Tonya (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Utash Sheree (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Weiford Mr Jeff (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Williams Ms Lavonta (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Anderson Mr Craig (2021–2022) — Vice Chairperson
- Former: Clemons-Ajibolade Ebony (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Ledbetter Mr Doug (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Pierce Judy (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Szambecki Jennifer (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Thibault Cecilla (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Camarena Gene (2022) — Director
- Former: Dechant Margaret (2022) — Director
- Former: Frederic Jr Abel (2022) — Vice President
- Former: Gandu Bobby (2022) — Director
- Former: Polite William (2022) — Director
- Former: Prather Angelia (2022) — Vice President
- Former: Rosson Moji (2022) — Director
- Former: Tirukonda Sue (2022) — Director
- Former: Weigand Johnathan (2022) — Director
- Former: Bell Mr Wayne (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Farha Flentje Mrs Gloria (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Farney Ms Ginger L. (2020–2021) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Ford Jordan (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Fox Mr Charles M. (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Gearhart Ms Jackie (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Gomez Mr Angel (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Herbert Mr Michael J. (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Kirkendoll Ms Frankie (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Krull Kimberly (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Moses Ms Terri S. (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Thompson Ms Alicia (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Chauncey Jadie (2021) — Director
- Former: Gandu Sreekanth (2021) — Director
- Former: Knoeber Melissa (2021) — Director
- Former: Milmine Justine (2021) — Director
- Former: Williams Mr Greg (2021) — Director
- Former: Beasley Mr Jeff (2020) — Director
- Former: Blazer Ms Brenda (2020) — Director
- Former: Butler Mr Delane (2020) — Vice President
- Former: Davis Mrs Renee Antoinette (2020) — Director
- Former: Hanrahan Mr Patrick (2020) — President & CEO
- Former: Heatherly Mr Roy (2020) — Vice President
- Former: Hudspeth Mr Arnold E (2020) — Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Juresic Mrs Lynette J (2020) — Director
- Former: Layton Mr Robert L (2020) — Director
- Former: Lehane Mrs Donna M (2020) — Director
- Former: O'Leary Mr John F (2020) — Director
- Former: Ray Mr Stuart L (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Siedhoff Mrs Elizabeth (2020) — Vice President
- Former: Stolz Tom (2020) — Director
- Former: Tedesco Mr Todd N (2020) — Director
- Former: Thomspon Susan K (2020) — Director
- Former: Thurman Bob (2020) — Director
- Former: Wunderlich Ms Cariee (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 $324K, to Peter Najera (Board Secretary/President/CEO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 245 N Water St, Wichita, KS 67202
Phone: (316) 267-1321
Website: https://unitedwayplains.org
Frequently asked questions about United Way of the Plains Inc
How much does United Way of the Plains Inc give each year?
United Way of the Plains Inc gave $8.4M across 129 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $9.2M across 153 grants.
What is United Way of the Plains Inc's typical grant size?
United Way of the Plains Inc's median grant in 2024 was $25,442, and its average grant was $65,258, across 129 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of the Plains Inc that year got $26K on average.
Where does United Way of the Plains Inc give grants?
United Way of the Plains Inc gives mostly in Kansas: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Wichita, KS (101 grants), Newton, KS (7 grants), Topeka, KS (2 grants) and El Dorado, KS (2 grants).
Does United Way of the Plains Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 129 grants with a stated purpose on United Way of the Plains Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Office Supplies/Equipment" (47 grants), "Grant Award" (22 grants) and "Grant Awards and Designations; Office Supplies/Equipment" (19 grants).
Who are United Way of the Plains Inc's largest grantees?
United Way of the Plains Inc's largest 2024 grantees include United Methodist Open Door ($441,490), Center of Hope Inc ($415,294) and Rainbows United Inc ($381,403), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of the Plains Inc?
United Way of the Plains Inc reported $23.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $17.2M.
What does United Way of the Plains Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is “to improve lives by harnessing the caring power of our community to advance the common good in south central Kansas.” Its investment opportunities support work in health, youth opportunity, education, financial stability, and basic needs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of the Plains Inc?
The organization invites eligible nonprofits in its service area to review its funding opportunities. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is United Way of the Plains Inc's EIN?
United Way of the Plains Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 48-0547688. 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 Plains Inc by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of the Plains Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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