United Way of Central Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa · EIN 420680425 · Private foundation
Based in Des Moines, Iowa, United Way of Central Iowa has awarded $107.8M across 802 grants in our index of public IRS filings, with giving recorded as recently as 2025. Its largest grant on record went to Orchard Place. This profile covers its focus areas, top grant recipients, year-by-year giving, and how a nonprofit should approach it.
What United Way of Central Iowa funds
United Way of Central Iowa's giving carries a documented focus on adult education, arts & culture, civil rights & social justice, community improvement, disability services, and related causes.
Populations it has supported include black communities, children, disabled, families, hispanic communities, immigrants & refugees.
Grant history
The largest grants Bespoke Grants has on record for United Way of Central Iowa, by amount:
| Recipient | Location | Grant | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orchard Place DIRECT CLINICAL SERVICES, PACE, SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING, REACH FOR THE STARS | Des Moines, IA | $1.1M | 2019 |
| Orchard Place DIRECT CLINICAL SERVICES, PACE, SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING, REACH FOR THE STARS, AND CHILDREN'S MOBILE CRISIS | Des Moines, IA | $1.1M | 2020 |
| Orchard Place CCRR - INFANT TODDLER CONSULTANT, CCRR - REACH FOR THE STARS POLK COUNTY, OP - CHILD CARE, TRAININGS | Des Moines, IA | $1.1M | 2018 |
| Orchard Place CCRR - INFANT TODDLER CONSULTANT, CCRR - REACH FOR THE STARS POLK COUNTY, OP - CHILD CARE, TRAININGS | Des Moines, IA | $1.1M | 2017 |
| Des Moines Independent School Distr COMMUNITY SCHOOLS & FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES, COMMUNITY SUPPORT LIAISONS, KEYS TO SUCCESS, RUNDSM, EARLY LEADERSHIP INNITIATIVE, LICENSED SOC | Des Moines, IA | $1.0M | 2019 |
| Des Moines Independent School District COMMUNITY SCHOOL COORDINATORS, KEYS TO SUCCESS, RUNDSM, WOLF PACK EXPANSION, LISCENSED SOCIAL WORKER, ACADEMIC SUPPORT LABS, SUCCESS | Des Moines, IA | $975K | 2017 |
| Everystep 5-2-1-0 LET'S GO, COMMUNITY HOME VISITING, CHILD CARE NURSE CONSULTANTS, LITERACY SPECIALIST, DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS, AND NURSE FAMILY CON | Des Moines, IA | $974K | 2020 |
| Visiting Nurse Services CHILD CARE NURSE CONSULTANT, COMMUNITY HOME VISITING PROGRAM, CONNECTIONS PROGRAM | Des Moines, IA | $960K | 2017 |
| Des Moines Independent School District COMMUNITY SCHOOL COORDINATORS, KEYS TO SUCCESS, RUNDSM, EARLY LEADERSHIP INNITIATIVE, LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER, FLEX ACADEMY, SUCCESS | Des Moines, IA | $951K | 2018 |
| Everystep 5-2-1-0 LET'S GO, COMMUNITY HOME VISITING, CHILD CARE NURSE CONSULTANTS, LITERACY SPECIALIST, DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS, AND NURSE FAMILY CON | Des Moines, IA | $945K | 2019 |
| Visiting Nurse Services CHILD CARE NURSE CONSULTANT, COMMUNITY HOME VISITING PROGRAM, FIRST FIVE, NURSE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP, 5210 LETS GO!PROGRAM | Des Moines, IA | $940K | 2018 |
| Dmacc Ankeny ADULT BASIC EDUCATION AND TRAINING , MANUP IOWA MENTORING, EVELYN K. DAVIS CENTER FOR WORKING FAMILIES | Ankeny, IA | $930K | 2022 |
| Dmacc Ankeny TEEN OUTREACH PROGRAM | Ankeny, IA | $911K | 2023 |
| Orchard Place DIRECT CLINICAL SERVICES, PACE, SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING, REACH FOR THE STARS, CHILDREN'S MOBILE CRISIS, AND COVID SUPPORT | Des Moines, IA | $904K | 2022 |
| Des Moines Independent School Distr COMMUNITY SCHOOLS & FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES, COMMUNITY SUPPORT LIAISONS, KEYS TO SUCCESS, RUNDSM, EARLY LEADERSHIP INNITIATIVE, LICENSED SOC | Des Moines, IA | $896K | 2020 |
United Way of Central Iowa giving by year
Total grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for each filing year:
How to apply for funding from United Way of Central Iowa
United Way of Central Iowa's public IRS filing does not spell out a formal application process. Foundations of this size often give primarily to organizations they already know, so a concise letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first contact — not a full proposal. You can review the foundation directly at unitedwaydm.org.
Is United Way of Central Iowa the right funder for your nonprofit?
This page shows what United Way of Central Iowa has funded. Bespoke Grants tells you whether it fits your mission — and finds every other foundation that does. Free, no credit card.
Match my nonprofit to funders →Frequently asked questions about United Way of Central Iowa
- Does United Way of Central Iowa accept grant applications?
- United Way of Central Iowa's public filing does not specify an application process. A brief letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first step with a private foundation of this size.
- What does United Way of Central Iowa fund?
- United Way of Central Iowa's grants focus on adult education. Recent recipients include Orchard Place, Orchard Place, Orchard Place. Its full grant history is listed above.
- How much does United Way of Central Iowa give in grants?
- United Way of Central Iowa reported $22.4M in grants in its most recent IRS filing (FY2020). Across all years in our data it has awarded $107.8M over 802 grants.
- Where is United Way of Central Iowa located?
- United Way of Central Iowa is based in Des Moines, Iowa. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 420680425.
- How can I find foundations similar to United Way of Central Iowa?
- Bespoke Grants matches your nonprofit against 225,000+ foundations like United Way of Central Iowa, ranking each by how well it fits your mission, location, and budget — with the reasoning shown. It is free to search.
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