About United Way of East Central Iowa
Unite the caring power of communities to invest in effective solutions that improve people’s lives.
Focus Areas
economic mobilitychildhood successaccess to healthcaresafety net servicesvolunteer programscommunity assessment and planning
Who They Fund
nonprofit organizations (grant recipients)disaster-affected communitiesdonors' designated beneficiaries
Funding Style
program support (operating/ongoing program funding)disaster/emergency response funding (rapid-response)
About United Way of East Central Iowa
United Way of East Central Iowa funds a tightly focused local network of human services, with recent grants reaching large recurring partners such as Waypoint Services, Area Substance Abuse Council, Foundation 2, and St Luke's Health Care Foundation in Cedar Rapids. The pattern in the grant list shows support for program work, donor-designated support, and disaster response, alongside a community-fund model that channels donor dollars into partner agencies. Its active strategy centers on building economic mobility, fostering childhood success, improving access to healthcare, and supporting safety net services. The foundation’s grant list also points to a strong service-system orientation. Organizations such as Hawkeye Area Community Action Program and Horizons a Family Service Alliance appear among the recipients, indicating investment in agencies that help families stabilize and move toward longer-term needs. Other awards support health access and aging services, showing that the funding mix is not limited to one issue area. The overall picture is of a community funder that works through established nonprofit partners and repeats support across multiple years, rather than a one-time event-driven model.
What United Way of East Central Iowa Funds
In safety net services, United Way of East Central Iowa gave $280,928 to Foundation 2 in 2023 for program support, disaster response, and donor designation support. Another 2025 award of $204,099 to the same organization shows continued backing for crisis-oriented services. Healthcare access is another clear thread. The foundation awarded $282,285 to St Luke's Health Care Foundation in 2024 and $277,488 in 2025, both for program support and donor designation support. It also supported Aging Services Inc with $271,994 in 2023, tying healthcare-related giving to services for older adults. For economic mobility, Four Oaks - Affordable Housing Network Inc received $249,921 in 2025 for program support and donor designation support, while Hawkeye Area Community Action Program received $240,592 in 2023 and $226,834 in 2024 for program support. These awards align with housing, stability, and community action work.
How United Way of East Central Iowa Gives
Typical grants cluster around a median of $65,898, with the 25th percentile at $9,560 and the 75th percentile at $119,108. That spread suggests a mix of smaller community awards and much larger operating and donor-designated grants. The recent-grant list also shows repeat support across multiple years for organizations such as Waypoint Services, Area Substance Abuse Council, Foundation 2, and Horizons a Family Service Alliance, indicating ongoing relationships rather than one-off awards. The foundation operates as a local community funder and raises and allocates donor dollars through its community fund. Its grant types include program support, disaster/emergency response, and donor-designation support. Some active programs accept unsolicited submissions, including the Together, We Can Mini Campaign and the FY24-FY26 Request for Proposal process, while other strategic pillars are invitation-based.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$3.2M
Total Assets
$19.2M
Total Revenue
$6.3M
Total Expenses
$6.4M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $10K and $119K, with a median of $66K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$66K
75th Percentile
$119K
Geographic Reach
Local4 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
KRISTIN ROBERTS
Unlock Deep Analysis
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeSee Similar Funders
Free Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeExplore related grant guides
Want a Personalized Pitch for United Way of East Central Iowa?
Sign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Free plan available
No contracts
Cancel anytime