Cedar Valley United Way

Waterloo, IA ยท Founded 1923

Uniting the Cedar Valley community to empower individuals and families to thrive through strategic investment and collaboration

Primary audience
Families & Individuals
Work area
Community Development
Topic
Social Services
Contact
Debbie Roth
Website Contact

About Organization

Based in Waterloo, IA, Cedar Valley United Way serves the Waterloo, Iowa area as a community fundraiser and resource organizer, directing contributions to programs that address critical human needs. Since 1923, the organization has worked with volunteers and local agencies to build an effective safety net, using a careful planning process to ensure resources go where they will do the most good.

What They Focus On

Family Stability

Supports programs that help families achieve financial stability through housing assistance, employment support, and emergency aid.

Education & Youth

Invests in early childhood education and youth programs that prepare the next generation for success.

Health & Well-being

Funds initiatives that improve access to healthcare, mental health services, and basic needs like food and shelter.

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$2.6M

+26.9% vs 2023

Expenses (2024)

$2.1M

-4% vs 2023

Assets (2024)

$2.7M

+17% vs 2023

Employees (2024)

6

-25% vs 2023

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2024 $2,577,151 $2,115,798 $2,684,031 6
2023 $2,030,666 $2,204,037 $2,293,494 8
2022 $2,043,635 $2,393,181 $2,712,729 7
2020 $2,097,107 $2,430,132 $2,808,649 7
2019 $3,121,319 $2,638,531 $3,277,044 7
2018 $1,841,168 $2,591,456 $2,529,577 8

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Assess Community Needs

    Research and engage with local agencies to identify the most pressing challenges facing Cedar Valley families.

  • 02

    Unite Resources

    Raise funds through the annual campaign and coordinate volunteers, in-kind services, and business partnerships.

  • 03

    Evaluate & Allocate

    Volunteer panels assess agency programs for effectiveness, directing funding to where it will do the most good.

  • 04

    Measure Impact

    Track outcomes across funded programs and adjust strategies to deliver lasting change for residents.

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Cedar Valley United Way

Annual Community Campaign

Pools resources from individuals, businesses, and organizations to fund critical programs throughout the Cedar Valley, raising over $2.5 million annually.

Fund Distribution & Agency Assessment

Evaluates and funds local nonprofit programs through a volunteer-driven review process, ensuring donations reach the areas of greatest community need.

Community Planning

Leads collaborative initiatives that bring together stakeholders to identify emerging needs and develop coordinated responses for Cedar Valley families.

Volunteer Mobilization

Engages over 100 volunteers annually to serve on allocation panels, committees, and community projects that strengthen the local safety net.

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Cedar Valley United Way.

DR

Debbie Roth

President
Full-time
Compensation: $94,503
AK

Anne Knudtson

Former Director
1 hrs/week
DG

Denelle Gonnerman

Former Director
1 hrs/week
JM

Jill Mejia

Former Director
1 hrs/week
SB

Steve Bernard

Former Director
1 hrs/week

Milestones

Over a century of community service in the Cedar Valley

1923

Founded in Waterloo

1923

Cedar Valley United Way established to coordinate charitable giving in the Waterloo, Iowa area.

1957

IRS Tax-Exempt Status

1957

Received official 501(c)(3) recognition, formalizing the organization's nonprofit mission.

2019

Peak Fundraising Year

2019

Raised $3.1 million in annual campaign funds, marking the highest total in recent history.

2024

Renewed Growth

2024

Revenue reached $2.6 million with continued community investment and 115 active volunteers.

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AR
Amy Rousselow Director 0.50 hrs/week
AS
Amy Schmidt Director 0.50 hrs/week
AR
Andrew Richter Director 0.50 hrs/week
AB
Anne Britson Director 0.50 hrs/week
CS
Cody Stoppel Director 0.50 hrs/week
DG
Dana Grovo Director 0.50 hrs/week
DK
Donna Kitrick Director 0.50 hrs/week
DL
Dr Lucas Cook Past Chair 1.00 hrs/week
EP
Erica Parks Director 0.50 hrs/week
GS
Gretchen Steuer Director 0.50 hrs/week
GB
Gwenne Berry Director 0.50 hrs/week
HB
Heather Bishop Secretary 0.50 hrs/week
JH
Jaclyne Heller Director 0.50 hrs/week
JM
Jeremia Matz Director 0.50 hrs/week
JH
Joshua Horstman Director 0.50 hrs/week
MH
Marty Hannig Director 0.50 hrs/week
MM
Michelle Meany Treasurer 0.50 hrs/week
NM
Nathan Miller Vice Chair 0.50 hrs/week
QM
Quoradis Marshall Director 0.50 hrs/week
SS
Sandi Sommerfelt Director 0.50 hrs/week
SC
Steve Carignan Chair 1.00 hrs/week
TD
Teresa Driscall Director 0.50 hrs/week
VC
Vincent Collis Director 0.50 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$104K

Highest Paid

$104K

Debbie Roth

Compensated Officers

1

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Debbie Roth President $94,503 $9,788 $104,291 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$121K

Total Forgiven

$121K

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

11

Loan Details 2 loans

$60,265
Forgiven
Forgiven: $60,589 100%
Approved Apr 8, 2020
Lender Collins Community Credit Union
Jobs Reported 5
Forgiven On Nov 2, 2020
$60,265
Forgiven
Forgiven: $60,724 100%
Approved Feb 5, 2021
Lender Farmers State Bank
Jobs Reported 6
Forgiven On Nov 10, 2021

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$1.0M Grants Received
$1.3M Grants Given
33 Organizations

Top Funders

4 total
AO
American Online Giving Foundation Inc.
$1.0M
VC
Veridian Credit Union
$29K
FI
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
$7K
CA
Charities Aid Foundation America
$6K

Top Grantees

29 total
AH
Allen Hospital WATERLOO, IA
$266K
S
Successlink WATERLOO, IA
$126K
PC
Peoples Community Health Clinic WATERLOO, IA
$107K
OT
Operation Threshold WATERLOO, IA
$99K
G
Grin & Grow Ltd WATERLOO, IA
$77K
SA
Salvation Army WATERLOO, IA
$69K
Y
YWCA WATERLOO, IA
$67K
PB
Pathways Behavioral Services WATERLOO, IA
$41K
R
Riverview WATERLOO, IA
$40K
CH
Community Housing Initiative WATERLOO, IA
$37K
+19 more grantees
American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Veridian Credit Union Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Charities Aid Foundation America Allen Hospital Successlink Peoples Community Health Clinic Operation Threshold Grin & Grow Ltd Salvation Army YWCA Pathways Behavioral Services Riverview Community Housing Initiative Iowa Jag Inc. Ne Iowa Food Bank Catholic Charities Of The Arhidioce Se Of Dubuque Hawkeye Community College Northeast Iowa Area Agency On Aging Waypoint Family & Children's Council Friends Of Iowa Casa Christian Community Development American Red Cross - Hawkeye Chapter One City United Job Foundation Mercyone Waterloo Medical Center Jesse Cosby Center Iowa Legal Aid Lutheran Services In Iowa North Star Community Services Habitat For Humanity International Nami
American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Veridian Credit Union Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Charities Aid Foundation America Allen Hospital Successlink Peoples Community Health Clinic Operation Threshold Grin & Grow Ltd Salvation Army YWCA Pathways Behavioral Services Riverview Community Housing Initiative Iowa Jag Inc. Ne Iowa Food Bank Catholic Charities Of The Arhidioce Se Of Dubuque Hawkeye Community College Northeast Iowa Area Agency On Aging Waypoint Family & Children's Council Friends Of Iowa Casa Christian Community Development American Red Cross - Hawkeye Chapter One City United Job Foundation Mercyone Waterloo Medical Center Jesse Cosby Center Iowa Legal Aid Lutheran Services In Iowa North Star Community Services Habitat For Humanity International Nami

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Contact

Get in touch with Cedar Valley United Way

Email

[email protected]

Phone

(319) 235-6211

Social

Visit Website
425 Cedar Street 300 Waterloo, IA 50701