United Way of the Plains Inc
United Way of the Plains is a 501(c)(3) public charity headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. Founded in 1922, the organization operates as a community-based nonprofit that mobilizes resources and partnerships to address critical needs in south central Kansas. The organization employs approximately 40-54 staff members and serves over 150,000 people across the region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$23.4M
+7.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.8M
-14.4% YoY
Grant Count
82
-3.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$71K
-11.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To improve lives by harnessing the caring power of the community to advance the common good in south central Kansas.
United Way of the Plains focuses on four primary areas:
- Health — ensuring access to quality care and addressing health challenges
- Education — supporting school readiness and on-time graduation
- Financial Stability — providing job training, financial counseling, and income support
- Basic Needs — addressing fundamental necessities for vulnerable populations
Grantmaking
United Way of the Plains operates multiple grant programs:
How to Apply
** Applications are reviewed by volunteer panels that make recommendations to the board of directors for approval.
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 primarily serves south central Kansas. The organization's funding extends to Kansas, Florida, and Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $23,360,094
- Total Annual Giving: $9,955,738
- Total Revenues: $17,231,185
- Total Expenses: $15,335,208
| 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 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $725,890 | $720,009 | $437,309 |
| 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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
5 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
Impact on the Plains
UNITED WAY OF THE PLAINS INC
Amount
Variable ($10,000 - $40,000 per award)
Deadline
September 30, 2026
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER SZAMBECKI | DIRECTOR/VICE CHAIRPERSON | 1.2 | — |
| SUE TIRUKONDA | DIRECTOR/TREASURER | 1.6 | — |
| WALTER BERRY | DIRECTOR/CHAIRPERSON | 2.1 | — |
| ADAM DUNN | DIRECTOR | 0.8 | — |
| BOBBY GANDU | DIRECTOR | 0.8 | — |
| BRAD WHITE | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| BRADLEY DYER | DIRECTOR | 0.6 | — |
| BRIAN BURNETT | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| CAROL RUSSELL | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| CORNELL BEARD | DIRECTOR | 0.1 | — |
| CRAIG ANDERSON | DIRECTOR/IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRPERSON | 0.1 | — |
| DONNA LINN NILES | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| DOUG LEDBETTER | DIRECTOR | 1.6 | — |
| EBONY CLEMONS | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| GARY SCHMITT | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| GENE CAMARENA | DIRECTOR | 1.6 | — |
| JESSE ROMO | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| JOHN TROWBRIDGE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOHNATHAN WEIGAND | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| JUDY PIERCE | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| JUSTIN WELNER | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| KATIE WARREN | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| LINDSI FULCHER | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| MAELAUREN HUDSON | DIRECTOR | 0.8 | — |
| MARGARET DECHANT | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| MOJI ROSSON | DIRECTOR | 0.8 | — |
| PATRICIA L HARDIN | DIRECTOR | 0.1 | — |
| RICKI ELLISON | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| RON BAKER | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| SARAH ANDREWS | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| SHEREE UTASH | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| TONYA SUDDUTH | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| WILLIAM POLITE | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| DARREN MINKS | CFO | 50 | $132,590 |
| PETER NAJERA | BOARD SECRETARY/PRESIDENT/CEO | 60 | $324,132 |
| ABEL FREDERIC JR | VICE PRESIDENT | 50 | $118,150 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
United Way of the Plains received a $3.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
United Way of the Plains receives $2.2 million to help address homelessnessThe organization received $2.2 million in funding to help address homelessness
United Way of the Plains receives $2.2 million to help address homelessnessIn 2024, the organization distributed approximately $4.1 million through its Opportunity on the Plains grant program to 48 agencies
United Way of the Plains receives $2.2 million to help address homelessnessSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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