United Way of Wyoming Valley

Quick Stats

• EIN: 24-0831490
• Founded: 1921
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $115,000
• Programs Supported: 31 programs across 20 agencies
• Geographic Focus: Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania (Luzerne County region)
• Decision Timeline: Letters of Intent due early January; decisions made in May
• Charity Navigator Rating: 4-Star (100% score)

Contact Details

Address: 100 N. Pennsylvania Ave., 2nd Floor, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701

Phone: (570) 829-6711

Email: info@unitedwaywb.org

Website: www.unitedwaywb.org

Business Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

For Grant Inquiries:

• Kendra Vough, Vice President of Community Impact
• Email: kvough@unitedwaywb.org
• Phone: (570) 829-6711 ext. 1234

Overview

Founded in 1921, United Way of Wyoming Valley is a volunteer-led agency that raises and distributes funds to support programs improving education, financial stability, and health throughout the Wyoming Valley region. With over 100 years of service to the community, the organization has earned a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator with a perfect 100% score, demonstrating exceptional financial health and accountability.

The organization operates under a community impact framework called "Poverty to Possibility – Improving the Odds for Children and Families," which focuses on reducing childhood poverty through strategic investments in local nonprofits and direct service initiatives. In addition to its traditional role as a funder, United Way of Wyoming Valley serves as a convener, collaborator, and direct service provider, operating programs in schools throughout the region.

Currently, the organization supports 31 programs across 20 agencies, along with 12 signature initiatives in partnership with 10 school districts. In recent years, they have reached over 18,000 children and helped 24,675 individuals through their combined grant-making and direct service activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

United Way of Wyoming Valley conducts an annual community investment process to fund local nonprofit programs. Recent grant programs have awarded amounts ranging from $10,000 to $115,000 per organization, with total annual distributions in the range of $1.6 million.

The organization uses a competitive Letter of Intent (LOI) process followed by full application review. Letters of Intent are typically due in early January, with the Community Investment Committee making funding recommendations to the Board of Directors in May.

Priority Areas

United Way of Wyoming Valley seeks proposals to implement targeted funding strategies in four key areas:

Education

• School readiness and early childhood literacy
• K-12 academic success and attendance
• Summer learning programs
• Third-grade reading proficiency (identified as critical to graduation rates)
• Parent engagement in children's education

Financial Stability

• Family economic self-sufficiency
• Financial literacy and asset building
• Employment support and skills development
• Programs helping families meet basic needs while working toward independence

Health

• Access to health services for children and families
• Health education and prevention
• Addressing social determinants of health
• Supporting healthy development from birth through adolescence

Safety Net

• Emergency assistance for individuals and families facing immediate threats to well-being
• Access to shelter and essential services
• Food security programs
• Crisis intervention services

The organization places particular emphasis on programs that address childhood poverty and create long-term pathways to self-sufficiency for at-risk families.

What They Don't Fund

Based on previous grant programs, United Way of Wyoming Valley explicitly excludes:

• Organizations not physically located within their service area (Wyoming Valley/Wilkes-Barre region)
• Hospital systems and nursing homes
• Churches and religious organizations (unless providing nonsectarian social services)
• Colleges and universities
• Economic development agencies
• Organizations that are not 501(c)(3) entities
• Direct services or funds to individuals
• Closely linked nonprofit corporations (subsidiaries of the same holding company or sharing the same CEO, staff, or Board members - only one grant per family of organizations)

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

President & CEO: Sara Peperno (March 2025 - Present)

Sara Peperno was appointed CEO effective March 24, 2025, returning to an organization where she had previously worked earlier in her career. She most recently served as President and CEO of Northeast Sight Services. Upon her appointment, Peperno stated: "I'm honored to return to an organization that has always held a special place in my heart."

Peperno has articulated a clear vision for the organization: "United Way isn't just a funder. That role is important, but we are also a convener, a collaborator, and in many cases, a direct service provider. We're in schools every day, connecting students and families with the resources they need."

She emphasizes the importance of community giving, noting: "Every gift tells a story — the story of a child, a family, and a brighter future for our community."

Board Chair: Tara Mugford Wilson, Power Engineering Corporation

Board of Directors (as of January 2025)

• Sarah Block, Community Volunteer
• Rev. Michael Brewster, Mt. Zion Baptist Church
• Dr. Greg Cant, Wilkes University
• Tina Dowd, Sundance Vacations
• Patrick Endler, Endler Architecture & Collaboration
• Bob Graham III, Riggs Asset Management
• Lindsay Griffin-Boylan, Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce
• Danielle Hawley, Baker Tilly
• Carmen Kahiu, Geisinger Health Plan
• Rick Kazmerick, Community Bank, NA
• Dan Kimbrough, Park Multimedia
• Carmen Magistro, M&T Bank
• Paul Rushton, Esq., Rosenn Jenkins & Greenwald, LLP
• Zubeen Saeed, Building Blocks Learning Center
• Rev. Shawn Walker, Synovos
• Carl J. Witkowski, GUARD Insurance Group

The organization's Community Investment Committee is responsible for evaluating agency programs available in Wyoming Valley and making funding recommendations to the Board of Directors.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

United Way of Wyoming Valley uses a multi-stage application process for annual funding:

1. Letter of Intent (LOI): Organizations must first submit a Letter of Intent through the United Way's online LOI Submission Process. LOIs are typically due in early January (recent cycles specified January 3rd deadline).

2. Full Application: Organizations selected after LOI review are invited to submit full applications with detailed program information, budgets, and outcomes data.

3. Review Process: The Community Investment Committee evaluates applications using strict oversight criteria to ensure transparency and results. The committee reviews how well proposed programs align with United Way's four focus areas and the "Poverty to Possibility" framework.

4. Board Approval: Final funding recommendations are presented to the Board of Directors for approval, typically in May.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
• Physical location in the Wyoming Valley service area
• Programs aligned with Education, Financial Stability, Health, or Safety Net priority areas
• Capacity to implement high-quality services and demonstrate measurable outcomes
• Late applications and applications missing required information will not be accepted

Decision Timeline

• Early January: Letters of Intent due
• January-April: Application review period
• May: Community Investment Committee presents recommendations to Board of Directors
• Summer: Funding decisions communicated to applicants
• Varies: Grant disbursement based on approved timelines

The organization follows an annual funding cycle, meaning organizations typically reapply each year for continued support.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data (percentage of applications funded) is not publicly available. However, the organization currently supports 31 programs across 20 agencies, suggesting a selective but substantial grant portfolio. The organization's focus on long-term partnerships indicates they prefer to build sustained relationships with effective programs rather than spreading resources thinly.

Reapplication Policy

United Way of Wyoming Valley operates on an annual funding cycle. Organizations receiving funding in one year must reapply for the following year's funding. The organization has not published specific policies regarding waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants, but the annual cycle suggests organizations can reapply in subsequent years.

Given the organization's emphasis on building long-term partnerships and their relatively stable portfolio of funded agencies, it appears they value sustained relationships with effective programs.

Application Success Factors

What United Way of Wyoming Valley Values

Focus on Childhood Poverty: CEO Sara Peperno has emphasized that reducing childhood poverty is central to the organization's mission. She specifically noted: "The third-grade reading levels really do impact graduation rates in our community." Applications should clearly demonstrate how programs address childhood poverty and create pathways to self-sufficiency for at-risk families.

Evidence-Based Programs: The organization seeks proposals for "high-quality services and programs" and uses "strict oversight to ensure transparency and results." Applications should include:

• Clear, measurable outcomes
• Evidence that the program model is effective
• Data demonstrating past success
• Plans for ongoing evaluation and reporting

Alignment with "Poverty to Possibility" Framework: Programs should explicitly connect to one or more of the four focus areas (Education, Financial Stability, Health, Safety Net) and demonstrate how they help children and families break the cycle of poverty.

Collaborative Approach: United Way positions itself as a convener and collaborator, not just a funder. They value organizations that:

• Work cooperatively with schools and other community partners
• Leverage resources and avoid duplication
• Participate in collective impact initiatives

Direct Service Delivery in Authentic Settings: CEO Peperno noted that United Way is "in schools every day, connecting students and families with the resources they need." They understand and value programs that meet people where they are, particularly in educational settings.

Examples of Funded Programs

United Way of Wyoming Valley's signature initiatives provide insight into their funding preferences:

• Dolly Parton Imagination Library: Free monthly books for children birth to age 5, regardless of household income
• TAG IN: Summer reading program providing free books through school-based book fairs to prevent learning loss
• Virtual Reading Buddies: Pairs volunteer mentors with first-grade students needing extra literacy support
• Million Minute Challenge: Month-long community-wide reading initiative held each March
• Attendance Matters: Creative poster campaign engaging K-3 students and families about school attendance
• School-Based Community Navigator Program: Recently expanded with a $10,000 grant to place navigators in schools to connect families with resources

These examples demonstrate preference for:

• Literacy and education programs
• School-based interventions
• Programs serving early grades (K-3) and early childhood
• Strategies that engage parents and families
• Evidence-based models (like Dolly Parton Imagination Library)
• Programs addressing summer learning loss

Strategic Considerations

Geographic Focus: The organization serves Wyoming Valley specifically. Applications from organizations serving primarily other regions will not be competitive.

Sustainability: With annual funding cycles, applicants should demonstrate either a pathway to sustainability beyond United Way funding or a compelling case for why ongoing support is warranted.

Complementary to Signature Initiatives: Understanding United Way's direct service programs helps applicants position their work as complementary rather than duplicative.

Board Composition Insights: The board includes representatives from banking, healthcare, education, business, and faith communities. Applications should speak to the interests of this diverse stakeholder group while maintaining focus on measurable community impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Childhood poverty is the north star: Every application should explicitly address how it helps children in poverty succeed. Connect your work to education outcomes, family financial stability, health, or meeting basic needs.

2. Third-grade reading matters: CEO Peperno identified third-grade reading levels as critical to graduation rates. Programs supporting early literacy and addressing summer learning loss are clearly valued.

3. Location requirements are strict: Your organization must have a physical presence in the Wyoming Valley area. Don't apply if you're based elsewhere, even if you serve some residents of the region.

4. Annual funding means annual applications: Build a relationship, but be prepared to make your case fresh each year with updated data and outcomes.

5. They value collaboration over competition: Position your organization as a collaborative partner. Show how you work with schools, other agencies, and United Way's own initiatives rather than operating in isolation.

6. Evidence and outcomes are non-negotiable: Use the LOI and application to demonstrate concrete, measurable results. "Feel good" stories without data will not be competitive.

7. Contact early with questions: Kendra Vough, Vice President of Community Impact, is the named contact for the LOI process. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions about fit or eligibility before investing time in an application.

References

1. United Way of Wyoming Valley Official Website - www.unitedwaywb.org (Accessed March 2026)

   • Campaign information: https://www.unitedwaywb.org/campaign/
   • Our Investments page: https://www.unitedwaywb.org/investments/
   • About Us: https://www.unitedwaywb.org/about/
   • Board of Directors: https://www.unitedwaywb.org/about/board-of-directors/
   • Financial Statements: https://www.unitedwaywb.org/about/financial-statements/

2. Charity Navigator Rating for United Way of Wyoming Valley - https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/240831490 (Accessed March 2026)

3. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - United Way of Wyoming Valley - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/240831490 (Accessed March 2026)

4. "United Way of Wyoming Valley names Sara Peperno CEO" - Times Leader, February 2025 - https://www.timesleader.com/news/1686721/united-way-of-wyoming-valley-names-sara-peperno-ceo

5. "For President/CEO Sara Peperno, returning to United Way is 'a homecoming'" - Times Leader - https://www.timesleader.com/news/1716506/for-president-ceo-sara-peperno-returning-to-united-is-a-homecoming

6. "United Way of Wyoming Valley names Peperno as new CEO" - Citizens' Voice, February 28, 2025 - https://www.citizensvoice.com/2025/02/28/united-way-of-wyoming-valley-names-peperno-as-new-ceo/

7. "United Way approves grants for 27 programs" - Citizens' Voice - https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/united-way-approves-grants-for-27-programs-1.1890464

8. "United Way of Wyoming Valley receives grant for school program" - Citizens' Voice, February 22, 2026 - https://www.citizensvoice.com/2026/02/22/united-way-of-wyoming-valley-receives-grant-for-school-program/

9. United Way of Wyoming Valley GuideStar Profile - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/24-0831490 (Accessed March 2026)

10. United Way Worldwide Directory - United Way of Wyoming Valley - https://www.unitedway.org/local/united-states/pennsylvania/united-way-of-wyoming-valley (Accessed March 2026)

11. Wilkes-Barre American Rescue Plan Funding Program - https://unitedwaywb.org/wb-arp-funding (Accessed March 2026)