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 in south-central Kansas, with work focused on health, youth opportunity, financial security, education, and basic needs.
United Way of the Plains Inc at a glance
In short: United Way of the Plains Inc gave $8.4M across 129 grants in 2024 (avg $65K), mostly in Kansas. 21% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $8,418,228
- -8.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 129
- -15.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $65,258
- +9.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,442
- Total assets
- $23,360,094
- +7.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (27 of 129, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Kansas (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to United Way of the Plains Inc
- How to Apply
-
For nonprofit funding, review the relevant program opportunity and submit an application during its application cycle. Opportunity applications are reviewed by community volunteers and recommendations are subject to board approval. Impact finalists present their programs to community judges. Promise recipients are required to submit a biannual success story; Opportunity recipients have quarterly reporting requirements, and Impact recipients have semiannual reporting requirements.
- Contact
Mailing address: 245 N Water St, Wichita, KS 67202
Phone: (316) 267-1321
Website: https://unitedwayplains.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from United Way of the Plains Inc
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
Deadline not published
Opportunity on the Plains Grant
United Way of the Plains Inc
Amount
$850,000 (education focus in 2025)
Deadline
Deadline not published
United Way of the Plains: Opportunity on the Plains Grant
United Way of the Plains Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who United Way of the Plains Inc funds
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.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($7,950), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
684 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 486 grants of 684 (71%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization serves south-central Kansas, including Sedgwick, Barber, Butler (excluding ZIP code 67042), Cowley, Harper, Kingman, Pratt, and Sumner Counties. Its website describes nonprofit funding opportunities as serving organizations in this region. The 2024 filing reports that 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Kansas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 129 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is United Way of the Plains Inc open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 27 of 129 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $27K; repeat grants $75K. How we count
Medians: $16K first-time, $33K repeat.
- 76% 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.
Giving History
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.
Grants by year
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 |
Ready to take the next step with United Way of the Plains Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $23,360,094 | $17,231,185 | $15,335,208 | $8,418,228 | 129 | $725,890 |
| 2023 | $21,647,640 | $14,045,665 | $14,891,523 | $9,155,289 | 153 | $720,009 |
| 2022 | $22,484,045 | $14,703,021 | $15,404,424 | $10,036,068 | 175 | $437,309 |
| 2021 | $26,271,888 | $15,996,345 | $17,416,244 | $8,938,258 | 122 | $1,191,966 |
| 2020 | $25,263,766 | $14,746,541 | $16,071,851 | $9,812,217 | 105 | $420,645 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is “to improve lives by harnessing the caring power of our community to advance the common good in south central Kansas.” Its website describes its broad impact areas as health, youth opportunity, and financial security; its grant programs also identify education and basic needs as focus areas.
Grants support health and human service organizations and programs. Among 2024 grantees, United Methodist Open Door describes its mission as meeting basic human needs, promoting positive life changes, and restoring hope and dignity. Rainbows United says it enhances the lives of children with special needs and their families. Wichita Habitat for Humanity describes its work as helping people achieve stability and independence through safe, affordable homes. Other grantees include organizations whose stated missions involve child well-being, poverty relief, early childhood development, and youth development.
Grantmaking
The 2024 filing reports 129 grants totaling $8,418,228. Grant amounts ranged from $5,261 to $441,490, with a median of $25,442. The largest listed awards included $441,490 to United Methodist Open Door, $415,294 to Center of Hope, $381,403 to Rainbows United, $374,398 to Wichita Habitat for Humanity, and $325,141 to Kansas Children’s Service League.
The filing says that in 2024 Opportunity on the Plains awarded almost $4.1 million to 63 programs at 48 agencies. Promise on the Plains and Impact on the Plains together awarded $190,000 to 14 agencies. The filing also describes about $170,000 in community impact initiative funding. These program figures describe particular funding activities and should not be treated as the organization’s total grantmaking.
The organization’s three core nonprofit grant opportunities are Opportunity on the Plains, Promise on the Plains, and Impact on the Plains. Opportunity is its largest annual program; applications are reviewed by community volunteers, whose recommendations go to the board for approval. Promise supports the capacity of grassroots organizations, with awards of up to $10,000. Impact is a social innovation competition in which nonprofit finalists present proposals to community judges. Its 2026 Promise recipients have been announced. The 2026 Impact deadline of September 30 has passed; the 2025 competition awarded $105,000 in total.
The Aaron Joel Smith Memorial Youth Volunteer Scholarship is a separate annual scholarship for eligible high school seniors, not a grant program for outside organizations. Its stated deadline is October 13, 2026.
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 directors listed 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.
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 $27K 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 (100 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. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($7,950), which are not listed by name. 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 mission is “to improve lives by harnessing the caring power of our community to advance the common good in south central Kansas.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of the Plains Inc?
For nonprofit funding, review the relevant program opportunity and submit an application during its application cycle. 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 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 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
Live grants for the work United Way of the Plains Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United Way of the Plains Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-the-plains-inc-morg_a5e60a266ea944e4a3c2b00d97d4f20e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_480547688_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Way of the Plains Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-the-plains-inc-morg_a5e60a266ea944e4a3c2b00d97d4f20e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Plains 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 Plains Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?