Inland Southern California United Way

Riverside, CA · Founded 1954

United Way chapter fighting for education and financial stability

Primary audience
Vulnerable families
Work area
Direct programs
Topic
Community development
Contact
Lisa Wright
Website Contact

About Organization

Unites people, ideas, and resources to empower the community and improve lives across Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Based in Riverside, CA, Inland SoCal United Way fights for education, financial stability, and housing for every person in western Riverside County, with 23 employees and annual revenue of $9.2 million serving over 2,500 volunteers annually.

What They Focus On

Education Advancement

Supporting educational success for children and youth through direct programs, grants to partner organizations, and community-wide initiatives addressing barriers to learning.

Economic Opportunity

Advancing financial stability through guaranteed income pilots, grants for financial literacy programs, and partnerships helping families build long-term economic security.

Housing Security

Addressing housing challenges through coordinated services, partner grants, and resource connections helping families maintain stable housing across the region.

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2021)

$9.2M

-70% vs 2020

Expenses (2021)

$8.8M

-70.2% vs 2020

Assets (2021)

$4.8M

-3.3% vs 2020

Employees (2021)

23

-4.2% vs 2020

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2021 $9,211,404 $8,834,186 $4,830,219 23
2020 $30,713,140 $29,627,489 $4,994,163 24
2019 $7,491,660 $7,670,179 $6,546,696 24
2018 $3,138,213 $2,676,539 $3,215,129 23

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

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Community Assessment

    Volunteers and community members identify local needs through structured engagement and data collection across service areas.

  • 02

    Resource Mobilization

    Annual campaigns unite businesses, government agencies, and individuals to raise funds supporting identified priorities.

  • 03

    Strategic Distribution

    Funding decisions made through volunteer review committees ensure resources reach organizations aligned with core focus areas.

  • 04

    Program Implementation

    Local programs administered directly while partner agencies deliver services to improve education, finances, and housing stability.

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Inland Southern California United Way

Education Access

Programs and grants supporting educational opportunities for children and families throughout Western Riverside County, delivered through local partnerships and community campaigns.

Financial Stability

Guaranteed income pilots and economic support initiatives helping families achieve long-term financial independence through direct assistance and partner organizations.

Housing Support

Services addressing housing insecurity through community partnerships, connecting families with stable housing resources and preventing homelessness across the region.

Community 211+

Regional information and referral service operating across Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles counties, connecting residents with vital community resources.

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Inland Southern California United Way.

LW

Lisa Wright

CEO
Full-time
Compensation: $236,799
DR

Darin Russame

Director Of Finance
Full-time
Compensation: $105,923
KS

Kimberly Starrs

Mba, Cfre President &
Full-time
Compensation: $165,769
JK

Jacob Koetsier

Exec Dir Development
Full-time
Compensation: $109,615
CD

Chris Darbee

Mph, Crs-Dc Chief Operating
AL

Alisa Lemke

Ma Executive Director Of Narrative & Compliance
SP

Shellie Phillips

Mba Director Of Special

Milestones

1931

Organization Founded

1931

Established in Riverside, California as a nonprofit corporation to coordinate community support for local needs.

1954

Federal Recognition

1954

Received 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, formalizing role as regional coordinator of charitable resources.

2020

Multi-County Expansion

2020

Rebranded as Inland Southern California United Way, extending 211+ services across three counties to serve over 1 million residents.

2021

Volunteer Network

2021

Mobilized 2,500 volunteers including campaign coordinators and funding decision-makers to support community programs.

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AA
Ali Ara Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
BB
Benita Byrd Secretary 0.50 hrs/week
DW
David Wahlquist Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
DW
Derek Woolf Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
EO
Edward Ornelas Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
EL
Elia Luna Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
GT
Gracie Torres Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
JL
Jeff Lewis Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
JF
Jennifer Fuller Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
JG
Jim Gaynor Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
JB
John Bibeau Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
JL
John Lapke Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
JM
Johnny Meneses Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
JA
Juliana Adams Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
KV
Kurt Von Steinbergs Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
LR
Larry Rubio Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
MT
Micah Tokuda Treasurer 0.50 hrs/week
MK
Michael Kouyoumdijan Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
NG
Nolan Gouveia Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
OG
Orion Goe Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
RL
Rob Lurkins Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
RC
Roger Crawford Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
RH
Ruby Huey Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
RL
Rudy Lovato Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
SH
Steve Hemenway Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
TG
Tiffany Gomez Chair 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 (2021)

$618K

Highest Paid

$237K

Lisa Wright

Compensated Officers

4

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Lisa Wright CEO $236,799 — $236,799 40
Kimberly Starrs VP Of External Affairs $165,769 — $165,769 40
Jacob Koetsier EXEC DIR Development $109,615 — $109,615 40
Darin Russame Director Of Finance $105,923 — $105,923 40

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

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$408K Grants Received
6 Organizations

Top Funders

6 total
SF
Social Finance Inc
$300K
UW
United Way of the Desert
$40K
AO
American Online Giving Foundation Inc.
$32K
IE
Inland Empire Community Foundation
$14K
UW
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and
$12K
KF
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
$11K
Social Finance Inc United Way of the Desert American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Inland Empire Community Foundation United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
Social Finance Inc United Way of the Desert American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Inland Empire Community Foundation United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals

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

Contact

Get in touch with Inland Southern California United Way

Email

[email protected]

Phone

(951) 697-4700 (909) 751-1180

Social

Visit Website
1835 Chicago Avenue B Riverside, CA 92507