United Way of the Southern
The United Way of the Southern Alleghenies (UWSA), also known as the United Way of the Laurel Highlands (UWLH), is a volunteer-driven, community-leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Established in 1974, the organization mobilizes community resources to create positive social change across its service region. The organization operates with 11 employees and has built its work around an Enhanced Community Impact Model© that identifies community needs, mobilizes stakeholders, implements evidence-based programs, funds programs to scale, and tracks measurable outcomes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.6M
+24.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$770K
+9.3% YoY
Grant Count
30
+7.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$26K
+2.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community.
The organization focuses on three core social change initiatives:
- Early Childhood Development — Preparing all children socially, emotionally, and academically for kindergarten
- Parental Engagement — Increasing parental knowledge of child development and care
- Youth Drug & Alcohol Prevention — Preventing substance abuse among youth
The organization also addresses basic human needs in its service region. Evidence-based programs introduced and/or expanded include Nurse-Family Partnership, Parents as Teachers, and Botvin LifeSkills Training.
Grantmaking
The United Way of the Southern Alleghenies funds 39 diverse Partner Agencies that address complex social problems and provide needed services. The organization's annual campaign generates approximately $1.1 million that is distributed as grants to partner organizations.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization serves Blair, Cambria, and Somerset Counties in Pennsylvania. The organization maintains three office locations:
- Johnstown Office: 422 Main Street, Suite 203, Johnstown, PA 15901
- Blair Office: 208 Hollidaysburg Plaza, Duncansville, PA 16635
- Somerset Office: 109 E. Main Street, Somerset, PA 15501 (by appointment)
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Revenues: $2,714,623
- Total Expenses: $2,299,978
- Total Assets: $3,573,220
Fiscal Year 2023:
- Total Revenues: $1,343,478
- Total Expenses: $1,573,861
- Total Assets: $2,859,782
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,573,220 | $2,859,782 | $3,023,370 |
| Revenue | $2,714,623 | $1,343,478 | $1,631,375 |
| Expenses | $2,299,978 | $1,573,861 | $1,442,300 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $83,166 | $-784 | $81,806 |
| 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
162 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Beginnings Inc ($180,000), Food for Families Food Pantry ($104,723), Victim Services Inc ($54,309).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BEGINNINGS INC JOHNSTOWN, PA | PROVIDER OF IN-HOME | $180,000 |
| BLIND & VISION REHABILITATION SERVI SOMERSET, PA | CHANGE LIVES OF PERS | $7,550 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SOMERSET SOMERSET, PA | TO ENABLE ALL YOUNG | $6,900 |
| CAMBRIA COUNTY DRUG COALITION JOHNSTOWN, PA | PROVIDES EDUCATION A | $40,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES INC-JTWALT DIO JOHNSTOWN, PA | PROVIDING CARING AND | $15,790 |
| EBENSBURG FOOD PANTRY EBENSBURG, PA | OPERATION OF A LOCAL | $6,038 |
| FAMILY KITCHEN FOOD PANTRY JOHNSTOWN, PA | OPERATION OF A LOCAL | $9,751 |
| FLOOD CITY BOXING ACADEMY JOHNSTOWN, PA | COMMITTED TO FOSTERI | $20,000 |
| FOOD FOR FAMILIES FOOD PANTRY JOHNSTOWN, PA | OPERATION OF A LOCAL | $104,723 |
| FRANKLIN ST METHODIS CHURCH FOOD PA JOHNSTOWN, PA | OPERATION OF A LOCAL | $8,107 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President and CEO: Karen Struble Myers
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN AUGUSTINE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DEBORAH BARRON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LAURA BURKE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DONNA CARTER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DIANE CHESNUTWOOD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ZAC CRAIG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MATT DEAL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARCUS EDWARDS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JESSICA FISHER | BOARD VICE C | 1 | — |
| ELIZABETH DUNMORE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BECKY FLYTE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LINDSAY GARMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TERRY GLUNT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DONNA GORITY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DONNA GORITY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SUE GRIEP | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JIM HUERTH | CAMPAIGN CHA | 1 | — |
| DENNY HUTCHINSON | EFS CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JUDY KIMBERLIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NATALIE KURCHAK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| 1 | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KAREN MENTO | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| MELISSA MUSARRA | CHAIR, STAND | 1 | — |
| JONATHAN O'HARROW | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHARON PATERSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHARI ROUTCH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANDY RUSH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TRACY SELAK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHERRI STAYER | CAMPAIGN VIC | 1 | — |
| PAM TOKAR-ICKES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TONI WHITE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEFF WOOD | CHAIRPERSON | 1 | — |
| JERRY ZAHORCHAK | BOARD CHAIR | 1 | — |
| KAREN STRUBLE MYERS | PRESIDENT | 40 | $98,346 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The organization announced more than $859,000 in grants and recapped pandemic relief efforts. The organization also updated its Resource Guide, which provides quick contacts for a variety of health and human services needs in Cambria and Somerset Counties.
The organization has partnered with the 1889 Foundation, Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, and Lee Initiatives on collaborative initiatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does United Way of the Southern fund?
**Mission:** To improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community. The organization focuses on three core social change initiatives: 1. **Early Childhood Development** — Preparing all children socially, emotionally, and academically for kindergarten 2. **Parental Engagement** — Increasing parental knowledge of child development and care 3. **Youth Drug & Alcohol Prevention** — Preventing substance abuse among youth The organization also addresses basic human needs in its service reg…
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of the Southern?
The United Way of the Southern Alleghenies funds 39 diverse Partner Agencies that address complex social problems and provide needed services. The organization's annual campaign generates approximately $1.1 million that is distributed as grants to partner organizations. Grant decisions are made through a Community Impact Panel of volunteers who evaluate grant proposals from Partner Agencies to invest in programs that create meaningful change and demonstrate results.
Where does United Way of the Southern make grants?
The organization serves **Blair, Cambria, and Somerset Counties** in Pennsylvania. The organization maintains three office locations: • **Johnstown Office:** 422 Main Street, Suite 203, Johnstown, PA 15901 • **Blair Office:** 208 Hollidaysburg Plaza, Duncansville, PA 16635 • **Somerset Office:** 109 E. Main Street, Somerset, PA 15501 (by appointment)
What size grants does United Way of the Southern award?
In 2024, United Way of the Southern awarded 30 grants totaling $770K — an average of about $26K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is United Way of the Southern's EIN?
United Way of the Southern's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-0965383. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of the Southern'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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