About United Way of Kaw Valley
Creating and cultivating an unbreakable network of support for a strong, healthy and resilient community where all can thrive. Mobilize community resources and build partnerships to advance education, health and financial stability for all.
Focus Areas
Early childhood educationK-12 supports and literacyFinancial literacy and stabilityBasic needs (food, housing, utilities)Health (physical and mental)Volunteer capacity and nonprofit supportRacial equity
Funding Style
general operating supportunrestricted/core fundingorganizational sustainabilitycapacity support
Topics
About United Way of Kaw Valley
United Way of Kaw Valley Inc. gives as a local funder with a strong concentration in Kansas and a clear pattern of general support for community institutions. The largest recent grants in the record go to Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas, including $846,250 in 2023, $784,917 in 2024, and $794,277 in 2025, which shows sustained support rather than one-off awards. Other sizable recurring grants have gone to Topeka-area organizations such as USD 501 - Topeka Public Schools, TARC, Community Action Inc, and Shawnee County Health Department. The mix of recipients points to a funder working across education, health, family stability, and basic needs, with many awards framed as general support. The foundation’s active grant programs reinforce that structure. It administers county-specific community investment and emergency-response funding, including multi-year grants in Douglas County, Shawnee and Jefferson counties, Jackson County family support grants, and City of Topeka social service and emergency food and shelter processes. Across those programs, the emphasis is on childcare and early learning, financial security, healthy communities, basic needs, and support for nonprofit capacity.
What United Way of Kaw Valley Funds
Childcare and early childhood education are a recurring theme. United Way of Kaw Valley Inc. gave $170,392 in 2024 and $149,725 in 2023 to Patterson Family Child Care Center, and it also supports Douglas County Childhood Success grants for childcare, early childhood education, parent supports, and early learning. Education beyond early childhood appears as well: USD 501 - Topeka Public Schools received $586,990 in 2023, $217,551 in 2024, and $279,311 in 2025. Health and basic-needs support are also central. Shawnee County Health Department received $305,791 in 2023, $382,063 in 2024, and $387,103 in 2025, while Community Action Inc received $373,478 in 2023, $366,100 in 2024, and $485,945 in 2025. The grant programs named for family supports, emergency food and shelter, and city social services fit that same pattern. Racial equity appears in Douglas County through a community-building grant for marginalized communities and BIPOC-led efforts.
How United Way of Kaw Valley Gives
Typical awards sit in a mid-size range: the p25 is $11,556, the median is $29,608, and the p75 is $75,112. The recent grant list also shows repeated awards to the same organizations across multiple years, including Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas, USD 501 - Topeka Public Schools, TARC, Community Action Inc, Shawnee County Health Department, Patterson Family Child Care Center, and Kansas Children's Service League. That pattern points to continuing support rather than isolated grants. The foundation is structured as a local grantmaker, and the active programs include both unsolicited and invited processes. Several are multi-year community investment or family support grants, with some programs explicitly allowing general program support and indirect administrative costs.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$3.5M
Total Assets
$3.9M
Total Revenue
$4.9M
Total Expenses
$5M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $12K and $75K, with a median of $30K.
25th Percentile
$12K
Median
$30K
75th Percentile
$75K
Geographic Reach
Local2 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
JESSICA LEHNHERR
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 Kaw Valley?
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