United Way of Kaw Valley

What United Way of Kaw Valley does

United Way of Kaw Valley is a nonprofit charitable organization formed in September 2022 through the merger of United Way of Douglas County and United Way of Greater Topeka. It operates as a grant maker, community convenor, volunteer organizer, and strategic partner for the nonprofit sector across four counties in northeast Kansas: Shawnee, Douglas, Jackson, and Jefferson. The organization is headquartered at 1527 SW Fairlawn Rd in Topeka, with a second office at 1127 Iowa St in Lawrence, and runs with approximately 15 employees.

UWKV's core service lines are organized around four impact areas: Childhood Success, Family Success (financial security), Family Supports (healthcare access, food security, housing), and Community Resiliency (collaborations including 211, ALICE framework, and Christmas Bureau). Its primary technology assets are the Find Help closed-loop referral platform used by Community Resource Navigators and Community Health Workers for coordinated care around health-related social needs, and KawValleyVolunteers.org, a unified volunteer management platform spanning all four counties. Programmatic offerings include Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, Junior Leader Reader, OhSNAP! food assistance, Christmas Bureau, Whole Family Initiative, Back2School Supply Drive, and All Hands on Deck, a homelessness-reduction campaign with a 2030 target.

Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropy: workplace giving campaigns with payroll deduction (the primary stream, anchored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and Security Benefit), individual giving (monthly, Day of Giving, donor-advised funds, planned giving), and grant funding (Kansas Health Foundation, Douglas County Government, City of Topeka Social Service grants). Donor engagement is structured through affinity networks including Women United, Young Leaders Society, Student United Way, Always United, and the Tocqueville Society. Annual events — Day of Giving, Nancy Perry Day of Caring, Grant Slam, and campaign kickoffs — drive both fundraising and volunteer mobilization.

Name

United Way of Kaw Valley

Legal name

United Way of Kaw Valley, Inc.

Website

https://uwkawvalley.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

United Way of Kaw Valley is a nonprofit charitable organization serving four counties in northeast Kansas as a grant maker, community convenor, volunteer organizer, and strategic partner. Formed in 2022 from a merger, it runs programs spanning food security, housing, early childhood literacy, and homelessness.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Community Food Services (624210), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Community fundraising
• Grant making services
• Volunteer coordination
• Community resource navigation
• Nonprofit capacity building

Headquarters

HQ city

Topeka

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Workplace Campaigns: Annual fundraising campaigns through workplace giving where employees pledge donations via payroll deduction. Primary revenue stream serving Shawnee, Douglas, Jackson, and Jefferson counties.
2. Individual Giving: Direct donations from individuals including monthly giving, annual Day of Giving, donor-advised funds, and planned giving.
3. Grant Funding: Funding received from foundations and government sources including Kansas Health Foundation, Douglas County Government, and City of Topeka Social Service grants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

United Way of Kaw Valley operates as a nonprofit grant maker, community convenor, volunteer organizer, and strategic partner serving Shawnee, Douglas, Jackson, and Jefferson counties in northeast Kansas. It runs workplace giving campaigns, individual giving programs (including Day of Giving, monthly giving, and planned giving), and grants from foundations and government sources to support local nonprofits and community programs. The organization also delivers direct-service programs — Community Resource Navigation (with the Find Help closed-loop referral platform), Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, OhSNAP! food assistance, Christmas Bureau, Junior Leader Reader, Whole Family Initiative, Back2School, Book Rich Environment, the All Hands on Deck homelessness initiative, and the 211 helpline — and manages the unified KawValleyVolunteers.org volunteer platform across all four counties.

Product overview

United Way of Kaw Valley operates as a nonprofit grant maker, community convenor, volunteer organizer, and strategic partner serving Shawnee, Douglas, Jackson, and Jefferson counties in northeast Kansas. The organization functions as a unified platform of interconnected community programs rather than a single commercial product. Key offerings include: KawValleyVolunteers.org for volunteer management across all four counties; Community Resource Navigation with the Find Help closed-loop referral platform; food assistance through OhSNAP! and food pantries; childhood literacy via Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and Book Rich Environment; holiday support through Christmas Bureau; homelessness initiatives including All Hands on Deck; and various giving programs including workplace campaigns, donor networks, and Day of Giving. The organization merged United Way of Douglas County with United Way of Greater Topeka in September 2022 to form United Way of Kaw Valley.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OhSNAP!: Shawnee County collaborative effort to support people affected by interruptions to SNAP benefits
• All Hands on Deck
• Nancy Perry Day of Caring
• Grant Slam
• Ad Astra Honors

Products and services

• Community Resource Navigation Program that connects residents of Douglas and Shawnee counties with community resources through navigators and the Find Help closed-loop referral platform, providing coordinated care around health-related social needs.
• KawValleyVolunteers.org Online volunteer management platform serving Shawnee, Douglas, Jackson, and Jefferson counties that merged TopekaVolunteers.org and VolunteerDouglasCounty.org into one unified system for volunteer listings and coordination.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Early childhood literacy program that provides free books monthly to children from birth to age five to foster a love of reading and support early learning.
• OhSNAP! Shawnee County collaborative food assistance initiative supporting people affected by SNAP disruptions through a hub-and-spoke purchasing and distribution system.
• Christmas Bureau Holiday assistance program that connects adopters with families and individuals in need to provide gifts and food for the Christmas season.
• Junior Leader Reader Youth literacy and leadership program engaging young people in reading initiatives and volunteer service.
• Whole Family Initiative Family support program designed to strengthen families through coordinated services addressing multiple needs.
• Back2School Supply Drive Annual campaign providing school supplies to children and families to support educational success.
• Board Leadership Training Nine-hour training program for current and prospective nonprofit board members covering responsibilities, governance, and leadership skills; priced at $75 per course.
• Day of Giving Annual giving campaign combining monetary donations with food drives and volunteer engagement; raised $35,492 in 2024 (a new record).
• Nancy Perry Day of Caring Community-wide volunteer service event spanning two days that brings together volunteers from businesses and organizations to complete service projects for nonprofit agencies.
• Find Help Platform Closed-loop referral platform used by the Community Resource Navigation Program and partner organizations to provide coordinated care around health-related social needs.
• E-C Impact Gateway Online portal for grant management and tracking, part of the organization's role as a grant maker for the nonprofit sector.
• ACCESS (Advancing Community Connections, Equity, and Systems of Support) Regional initiative serving Douglas and Shawnee Counties designed to improve upward mobility for ALICE single mothers through housing support, child care assistance, and workforce opportunities.
• Workplace Campaign Organized workplace giving campaigns supporting employers across Shawnee, Douglas, Jackson, and Jefferson counties with materials, training, and support.
• Small Business United Program that amplifies the power of small businesses by combining contributions to multiply impact for community neighbors.
• Book Rich Environment (BRE) Literacy initiative in partnership with Topeka Housing Authority and Topeka & Shawnee County Library that distributes books to children in HUD-assisted housing.
• 211 Service Free, confidential helpline available 24/7 connecting people to local resources for food, utilities, employment, transportation, child care, financial assistance, and medical care.
• Grant Slam Annual competition where nonprofit missions pitch to donors at a live finals event.
• Donor Networks Affinity-based giving groups including Women United, Young Leaders Society, Student United Way, and Always United that engage donors around specific interests.

Quantifiable outcome

• Four in ten households in Douglas and Shawnee counties are ALICE households
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature1 record

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Compassion StrategiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 November 2024Co-leader of All Hands on Deck Campaign to End Chronic Homelessness in Topeka and Shawnee County by 2030. Compassion Strategies provides Mobile Access Partnership (MAP) bringing mobile medical, social, and behavioral health services to unsheltered populations.
• Let's HelpcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne-Stop Homeless Resource Center pilot site partner. Founded in 1969, Let's Help is committed to helping people achieve self-sufficiency and break the cycle of poverty, serving tens of thousands annually.
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of KansascoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTop Workplace Campaign sponsor and Nancy Perry Day of Caring Platinum Sponsor. Provides campaign chair leadership (Marlou Wegener). Sponsor of Community Resource Navigation Program.
• Security BenefitcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTop Workplace Campaign sponsor and Nancy Perry Day of Caring Platinum Sponsor. Major corporate supporter of UWKV campaigns.
• Impact Avenues (City of Topeka)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative initiative addressing student homelessness in Topeka and Shawnee County since 2019. Based on successful Impact KCK model that reduced student homelessness by 50 percent.
• Kansas Health FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerACCESS proposal submitted for Upward Mobility Blueprint funding ($199,602 request for one year). Initiative would support new mothers in Douglas and Shawnee counties.
• Douglas County GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACCESS program partner serving Douglas County with Community Resource Navigation and housing/child care supports.
• Community Children's CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACCESS program partner providing early childhood services and support for ALICE single mothers.
• Mirror, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACCESS program partner providing services to ALICE households in Douglas and Shawnee counties.
• Topeka Doula ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACCESS program partner supporting new mothers with doula services and workforce re-entry.
• The Early Childhood Collective/Doulas of Douglas CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACCESS program partner providing early childhood collective services and doula support.
• Capital Area Successful Start (CASS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly childhood collaborative in Shawnee County and ACCESS program partner.
• Valeo Behavioral Health CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAP partner providing mobile shower and laundry trailer services to unsheltered populations.
• Topeka Rescue MissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAP partner providing mobile kitchen and clothing trailer services.
• Stormont Vail Mobile CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAP partner providing regular check-ups, blood pressure monitoring, diabetes screening, labs, preventive/wellness care, and specialty referrals.
• Shawnee County Health DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAP partner providing resource and logistical support, evaluation of health needs and testing.
• Street Dog CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAP partner providing mobile veterinary care for pets of homeless individuals.
• Topeka Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity ID Program bridging gap for those unable to afford or obtain proper documentation for state-issued ID.
• Topeka Housing AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRE (Book Rich Environment) partner and Read & Ride partner. Provides housing or rental assistance for approximately 4,500 Topekans.
• Topeka & Shawnee County Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRE partner and Read & Ride partner. Mission focuses on sparking curiosity and connecting community through literacy and learning.
• Topeka Community Cycle ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRead & Ride partner committed to reclamation and distribution of recycled bicycles through earn-a-bike program.
• LiveWell Shawnee CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrassroots community health and wellness coalition putting equity at the forefront. Healthy Food Impact Team coordinates food security efforts including OHSNAP! initiative.
• SENT (OHSNAP Hub)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOHSNAP! hub partner in Shawnee County food assistance hub-and-spoke system.
• Doorstep (OHSNAP Hub)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOHSNAP! hub partner in Shawnee County food assistance hub-and-spoke system.
• Catholic Charities (OHSNAP Hub)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOHSNAP! hub partner in Shawnee County food assistance hub-and-spoke system.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• United Way of Greater Kansas City: Largest Kansas-area United Way affiliate. Directly comparable as a multi-county United Way running workplace campaigns, donor networks (including Tocqueville), and Community Resource Navigation with similar community impact framework; only materially larger in geography and campaign size.
• United Way of the Plains: Wichita-area United Way serving south-central Kansas. Closely comparable model: workplace campaigns, 211 information and referral (shared infrastructure reference in UWKV materials), donor networks, and grant-making to local nonprofits across a multi-county region.
• United Way of Central Kansas: Salina-area United Way affiliate. Direct peer as a smaller Kansas United Way running workplace campaigns and community grants; useful comparison for staffing scale and campaign economics at a similar four-county footprint.

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: Global umbrella organization of United Way affiliates. UWKV is a member affiliate and a recipient of UW Membership certification; relevant as a brand/network steward that sets standards, fundraising frameworks, and provides national visibility.
• Salvation Army of Topeka: National faith-based social services nonprofit with a Topeka presence. Overlaps with UWKV on food assistance, holiday programs, and basic-needs services in the same service area; broader scope and brand recognition but less grant-making focus.
• Kansas Health Foundation: Major statewide health-focused foundation. Comparable as a strategic funder — UWKV's ACCESS proposal ($199,602) targets KHF — and as a model for grant-making infrastructure at a larger scale; an upstream funding partner rather than direct competitor.

Regional players

• Greater Manhattan Community Foundation: Manhattan-area Kansas community foundation. Comparable as a regional grant-maker and donor services provider in an adjacent Kansas geography; useful peer for staffing, grant cycle design, and donor network benchmarks.
• Topeka Community Foundation: Topeka-based community foundation providing grants and donor services in the same Shawnee County market. Comparable as a competing funder in UWKV's footprint and a potential partner or rival for donor-advised fund and local grant dollars.
• Douglas County Community Foundation: Lawrence-based community foundation serving Douglas County. Comparable in geography (one of UWKV's four counties) and grant-making role; potential collaboration or competition for community grants and donor-advised funds in the Lawrence market.
• Heartland Community Foundation: Wichita-area community foundation serving south-central Kansas. Comparable as a peer community foundation running grants, donor-advised funds, and capacity-building programs in a Kansas metro region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/uwkawvalley
• Facebookfacebook.com/uwkawvalley
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uwkawvalley

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United Way of Kaw Valley