United Way of the Plains

What United Way of the Plains does

United Way of the Plains is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1922 and headquartered at 245 N. Water St., Wichita, Kansas. It serves as the backbone community-impact organization for south central Kansas, operating across eight counties (Sedgwick, Barber, Butler [excluding ZIP 67042], Cowley, Harper, Kingman, Pratt, and Sumner) and convening 300+ nonprofit partners and 300+ corporate workplace campaigns. Its programming is organized around four impact areas: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency, with flagship programs including 211 Information & Referral (multi-channel community resource connection), Free Tax Filing Services (in-person VITA plus Get Your Refund and My Free Taxes virtual platforms, generating over $8 million in refunds across 6,500+ returns), Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (100,457 books mailed to 10,982 children in 2025), Read to Succeed (volunteer reading coaches in 25 Wichita elementary schools), the Give Items of Value warehouse ($3.27 million in goods to 280 nonprofits in 2024), and the Coalition to End Homelessness (federally designated Continuum of Care for Wichita/Sedgwick County, operating the regional HMIS data system).

The organization runs on a hybrid revenue model combining individual donations (including Lead United at $1,000+ and Tocqueville Society at $10,000+ leadership giving tiers), corporate workplace campaigns with payroll deduction, corporate sponsorships, planned giving through a FreeWill partnership, Small Business United memberships ($250/year), and federal grants (HUD Continuum of Care, IRS VITA, FDIC Smart Money). It also operates three grant programs (Opportunity on the Plains as the largest annual investment, Promise on the Plains for BIPOC-led capacity building, and Impact on the Plains as a shark-tank-style social innovation competition). United Way claims every $1 donated becomes $2.41 of community impact through resource leverage, grants, donated goods, and volunteer hours.

Technology platforms include the Galaxy Digital Volunteer Center, an ePledge online giving platform, Get Your Refund and My Free Taxes tax-preparation systems, and the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) administered for the Coalition to End Homelessness. Governance is provided by a large Board of Directors drawn from major regional employers (Textron Aviation, Spirit AeroSystems, Bombardier, Cargill, Evergy, INTRUST Bank, Delta Dental of Kansas), labor unions (AFL-CIO, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 441, Sheet Metal Workers Local 29, Communication Workers of America, United Teachers of Wichita), and civic institutions (Wichita State University, Greater Wichita Partnership, City of Wichita). Leadership includes President & CEO Pete Najera and CFO Darren Minks, with a Philanth

Name

United Way of the Plains

Legal name

United Way of the Plains

Website

https://unitedwayplains.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

United Way of the Plains is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1922, serving south central Kansas across eight counties with programs in health, youth opportunity, financial security, and homelessness prevention, including 211 referrals, free tax filing, literacy coaching, and a Continuum of Care HUD designation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Community Food Services (624210), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Federated Giving Organizations (e.g., United Way-type) (BPAGAKAG)

Keywords

• Community fundraising
• Social services
• Nonprofit coordination
• Workplace giving
• Volunteer matching

Headquarters

HQ city

Wichita

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual donors via credit card, PayPal, check, auto-debit from bank accounts, stock donations, and Donor-Advised Fund grants. Individual giving ranges from general donations to leadership-level contributions ($1,000+ for Lead United, $10,000+ for Tocqueville Society).
2. Workplace Giving Campaigns: Corporate workplace campaigns allow employees to contribute through payroll deduction. Companies host campaigns with United Way support; donations are collected via pledge cards and remitted to United Way. Over 300 companies conduct campaigns annually.
3. Corporate Sponsorships & Partnerships: Corporate partners sponsor United Way programs, events, and initiatives. Sponsors receive recognition, exclusive event access, and marketing benefits. Examples include program sponsors for Lead United, Tocqueville Society, Free Tax Filing Services, and Coalition to End Homelessness.
4. Give Items of Value (GIV) Warehouse: Corporate product donations are distributed free to nonprofits, reducing United Way's operational costs. The program is supported by donations and partnerships with Good 360 for national retailer donations.
5. Planned Giving & Bequests: Donors include United Way of the Plains in estate plans through bequests, charitable remainder trusts, IRA qualified charitable distributions, and stock transfers. The organization partners with FreeWill to facilitate free will creation with optional charitable bequests.
6. Government Grants: United Way administers grants including the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) grant and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care grants for homeless services. These grants support direct service delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

United Way of the Plains is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes individual donors, workplace giving campaigns, corporate sponsorships, and grants to fund direct social services across south central Kansas. It operates community programs including 211 information and referral, free tax preparation (VITA), youth literacy (Imagination Library and Read to Succeed), the Give Items of Value warehouse, the Coalition to End Homelessness with HMIS data, disaster response, and leadership giving societies. It also administers annual competitive grant cycles that fund partner nonprofit agencies delivering outcomes in health, education, and financial stability.

Product overview

United Way of the Plains operates as a nonprofit social service organization offering a unified portfolio of community programs rather than a technology product platform. The organization provides direct services including 211 Information & Referral (resource connection), Free Tax Filing Services (VITA, Get Your Refund, My Free Taxes), Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, Read to Succeed reading coaching, Volunteer Center, Give Items of Value warehouse, and Disaster Response. Major initiatives include the Coalition to End Homelessness (with HMIS data system), leadership giving societies (Lead United, Tocqueville Society), and Small Business United membership. The organization also operates three grant programs: Opportunity on the Plains (largest annual investment), Promise on the Plains (capacity building), and Impact on the Plains (social innovation competition). Programs focus on four impact areas: Health, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Basic Needs, with volunteer engagement through Serve United and student scholarships including the Aaron Joel Smith Memorial Youth Volunteer Scholarship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 211 Information & Referral

Quantifiable outcome

• Every $1 donated becomes $2.41 of community impact through resource leverage, grants, donated goods, and volunteers
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Good 360coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGood 360 is a national partnership that enables United Way to receive donations from top national retailers and accept semi-tractor trailer shipments of products for the price of shipping. This partnership extends the reach of the GIV Warehouse program by sourcing large-scale donations from major retailers.
• IRS (Internal Revenue Service)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe IRS is a founding partner of the BE$T Coalition offering free tax prep services under United Way's administration. The IRS provides program guidance, training materials, and grant funding. United Way administers the VITA grant from the IRS and provides program coordination. IRS-certified volunteers provide tax assistance under IRS training and certification standards.
• FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFDIC's Smart Money financial education course is offered through United Way's VITA program. The course helps people of all ages enhance financial skills, create positive banking relationships, and avoid financial fraud. VITA volunteers distribute information about the program to tax clients.
• Get Your Refund (National Platform)coreTechnology or IntegrationGet Your Refund is a free, secure online platform that connects income-limited households with IRS-certified volunteers for remote tax preparation. United Way of the Plains serves as a local administrator, referring Kansas residents to the platform for virtual tax preparation services.
• My Free Taxes (National Platform)coreTechnology or IntegrationMy Free Taxes is a free, self-guided tax preparation platform for individuals with household income up to $89,000. The platform provides federal and state filing tools and live chat/phone support. United Way promotes the service to Kansas residents as part of its free tax filing ecosystem.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDolly Parton's Imagination Library is administered locally by United Way of the Plains. The program mails one free book per month to enrolled preschool children to foster a love of reading. United Way covers program costs and manages local enrollment and distribution.
• USD 259 – Wichita Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWichita Public Schools is the key education partner for United Way's Read to Succeed literacy program. Volunteer reading coaches are matched with at-risk second-grade students at local elementary schools through this partnership. USD 259 provides school access, student referrals, and coordination support.
• Dillons Food Stores (Kroger)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDillons Food Stores' Community Rewards program donates a portion of qualifying purchases back to United Way. Shoppers connect their Dillons reward card to United Way using ID number TK211. A percentage of each purchase is contributed to United Way at no additional cost to the shopper.
• AFL-CIO and Affiliated Labor UnionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way and organized labor have partnered for 80 years. AFL-CIO representatives serve on the Board of Directors, union members participate in grant review volunteering, a full-time AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison connects the labor federation with United Way, and unions endorse the annual campaign encouraging payroll deduction contributions.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Heart of Florida United Way: Regional United Way affiliate with comparable program breadth (211, VITA, homelessness, youth literacy, disaster response) and a similar scale of corporate workplace campaign relationships. Operates in a mid-size regional market with comparable donor demographics.
• United Way of Greater Kansas City: Another regional Kansas/Missouri United Way affiliate operating federated workplace giving campaigns, direct service programs, and a 211 system in a comparable mid-size metropolitan market. Directly comparable in mission, business model, and revenue mix (corporate campaigns + individual giving + grants).
• United Way Suncoast: Regional United Way covering the Tampa Bay area with a comparable portfolio of 211, VITA/free tax prep, early literacy, and disaster response programs. Operates with similar scale and donor demographics, including strong workplace giving among major regional employers.
• United Way of Greater Cleveland: Mid-size regional United Way with comparable workplace giving campaigns, CoC homelessness leadership, and education/health/financial stability focus areas. Similar donor mix with strong corporate (manufacturing/industrial) anchor employers.
• United Way of Central Indiana: Regional United Way serving the Indianapolis metro with a comparable portfolio of workplace giving, direct services (211, VITA, early literacy), and a homelessness backbone function. Similar scale, governance, and Tocqueville Society/Lead United leadership giving structure.
• United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County: Regional United Way with comparable workplace giving campaigns, 211 service, youth literacy (Imagination Library), and a CoC-equivalent homelessness role. Operates at a similar scale with comparable mix of corporate and individual giving.

Broad incumbents

• United Way of the National Capital Area: Larger, more established United Way affiliate with a wider portfolio of programs and greater federal-government donor exposure. Comparable in federated giving model and program mix, but operates at a meaningfully larger scale and in a substantially different market.
• United Way of Massachusetts Bay: Large, established Bay State United Way with similar workplace giving, 211, and youth/family service focus areas. Comparable structure (Bay State vs. Plains region naming convention) but operates in a denser, more urbanized market with larger average corporate gifts.

Others

• Salvation Army Wichita: Direct social services peer in the same Wichita/south central Kansas market, also operating from donor and government grant revenue, with comparable programs in emergency assistance, disaster response, and basic needs. Not a federated giving model, but competes for the same donor dollars and contracts in the same service area.
• Goodwill Industries of Kansas: Regional nonprofit peer operating in the same south central Kansas geography with similar donor base and workforce development focus. Competes for similar corporate sponsorships and grant funding while serving overlapping populations, though operating under a different nonprofit model (thrift-funded social enterprise).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@UnitedWayPlains/videos
• Xx.com/unitedwayplains
• Facebookfacebook.com/unitedwayplains
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-way-of-the-plains

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments17 records

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Frequently asked questions about United Way of the Plains