About Us
United Way of Mesa County does what no single organization can do. We connect and mobilize resources, people, and passion in strategic ways to achieve our goals, transform Mesa County, and change the story for thousands of people.
Founded in 1959 in Grand Junction, Colorado, United Way of Mesa County (UWMC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that raises money from the community to fund local programs that address community concerns.
Impact Areas
Sixty-six years serving Mesa County. Programs funded by UWMC currently serve about 50,000 people in Mesa County.
UWMC funds programs provided by health and human service agencies in Mesa County. This year, we are funding 25 programs at 19 different local nonprofit agencies. The programs address a variety of social problems focused on:
Financial Security
Impact Focus for January — March
Building financial stability and strength
Healthy Community
Impact Focus for April — June
Improving health and well-being for all in Mesa County
Youth Opportunity
Impact focus for July–September
Helping young people realize their full potential
Community Resiliency
Impact Focus for October — December
Addressing urgent needs today for a better tomorrow
More than a Fundraising Organization
United Way of Mesa County does what no single organization can do. We connect and mobilize resources, people, and passion in strategic ways to achieve our goals, transform Mesa County, and change the story for thousands of people. Learn more about our widespread impact here.
Community Governed
United Way of Mesa County facilitates community collaboration to insure the community’s needs are being addressed and provides education, information and referral to the community at large.
Community Investment Process
We feel the people who donate the money should be a part of giving it away. Volunteers, people like you, serve on our community investment panels each grant cycle. These panels review the grant applications from the agencies and make site visits to help determine which programs are most effective and efficient at delivering services our community needs.
UWMC is governed by a local Board of Directors. All funding and policy decisions are made locally. United Way Worldwide provides training, marketing support and help with national accounts.
How do we know the needs?
From the results of community needs assessments, from Western Colorado 2-1-1 data, from community conversations, and from funded program data and outcomes.
How do we tackle the issues?
Volunteers study the data and make investment decisions during our Community Investment Process. Every funded program is carefully evaluated throughout the year to make sure we’re achieving measurable outcomes. The annual campaign funds our work.
Click here for a list of programs that are currently being funded by United Way of Mesa County.
How to Help
Donate. Volunteer. Advocate.
There are many ways community members can support United Way of Mesa County. Join us to GIVE, ADVOCATE, VOLUNTEER and spread the word about our work.
Our Team
Faith Rodriguez
Executive Director
Kyra Seppie
Community Impact & Outreach Manager
Originally a native of Wyoming, Kyra has been in Grand Junction since 2022 and loves all that Mesa County has to offer! Kyra has education and experience in the fields of event planning and management, public/private partnerships and communication campaigns for social and environmental change. She has a passion for ensuring all members of our community can access services with dignity and empowering individuals to be changemakers. Outside of work you can find Kyra paddleboarding, cross country skiing, playing music in community band, or out enjoying music and events in Downtown Grand Junction.
Cassidy Lujan
Donor & Grants Manager
Cassidy is a Grand Junction native and a Colorado Mesa University alum. She has her MBA from the University of Mary and worked in healthcare until completing her degrees. It has always been important to her to work in an organization that supports and respects the community and that is why she is very excited and passionate about being on the United Way of Mesa County team. In Cassidy’s free time, you can find her spending time with her family, skiing at Powderhorn, and playing the piano.
Philip Masters
Outreach and Service Coordinator
Philip recently joined United Way of Mesa County as the Outreach and Service Coordinator, bringing a wealth of experience and passion to his role. Before this, he worked with HomewardBound for over a year and spent more than 15 years as an entertainer in the music industry. His career in music took him coast to coast across the United States, allowing him to meet people from diverse backgrounds and build meaningful relationships that shaped him into the compassionate and open-minded individual he is today. In addition to his travels across America, Philip has also ventured overseas to Japan. A talented musician, he plays brass instruments and was an active member of his school band from 5th grade through high school. Philip is excited to join the UWMC team and contribute to making a meaningful impact in the community. “I have life experience when it comes to homelessness and I found a way out. Now I want to be a part of the solution in helping others find a way out of homelessness and helplessness.”
Leah Mast
Administrative and Office Manager
Leah is excited to join United Way and their efforts to make a positive impact in our community. She’s spent the last decade in volunteer roles while raising three wonderful children. Prior, she received a Communications degree from University of California, Davis, then worked in Human Resources across multiple industries. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs being outdoors, hiking, snowboarding, skiing, ice skating, watching hockey, and traveling.
Corbin Curtis
Finance Coordinator and Executive Assistant
Corbin supports the team with financial analysis, reporting, and budgeting. Working at United Way means being part of an incredible team, and he truly values the strong relationships, collaborative atmosphere, and thoughtful leadership that make every day rewarding. Outside of work, you’ll find Corbin enjoying the outdoors whether it’s camping, fishing, hiking, or hitting the gym.
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
President
- Tina Harkness, Esq., SPHR
- General Counsel
- Employers Council
Vice President
- Terri Hoffman
- CEO and Founder
- Marketing Refresh
Treasurer
- Tami Beard
- Sr. VP / Senior Commercial Loan Officer
- Bank of the San Juans
Board Members
- Christian Mueller
Retired Executive Director
Center for Education and Counseling - Jennifer Campos
Advertising Manager
GJ Media, Inc. - Chandler Cole, M.S. CCC-SLP
Early Intervention Speech Therapist
STRiVE - Selena Sanchez
Director of Marketing and Communications
Grand Junction Economic Partnership - Anne Pearson, M.D.
SVP and CEO
Physicians Memorial Herman - Kelly Milan
Owner
Sunshine Rides of Colorado - Angela Stack
Assistant Vice-President Treasury Management Officer
ANB Bank
- Randall Reitz, PhD
Director of Behavioral Sciences
St. Mary’s Family Medicine Clinic (Intermountain Health)
In the News
The Daily Sentinel
August 6, 2025
Production of the film “The Bench”, about 48 hours in the lives of five homeless people, took place in Grand Junction in July. The film is the first shot in Grand Junction to take advantage of the new Colorado Film Incentive, which provides 20% tax credits for film and television productions in the state, and up to 22% tax credits for productions that utilize state infrastructure or shoot in rural or marginalized urban areas.
Western Slope Now
July 16, 2025
United Way of Mesa County (UWMC) announced that it will be expanding its “United to Solve Homelessness” initiative through a three-pronged approach to address the needs of the unhoused population and the community.
Western Slope Now
July 16, 2025
United Way of Mesa County will hold the 23rd annual Home Loan Taste of the Grand Valley fundraiser on Friday, May 2, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 310 N. 7th St. The outdoor food and beverage tasting festival is sponsored by Home Loan Insurance.
Western Slope Now
July 16, 2025
UNITE THE NIGHT is a benefit concert on Friday at Warehouse2565 to support the unhoused community. The concert features live music from The Lost Junction Band and headliners Peach Street Revival. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show begins at 7:15 p.m.
Listen to united is the way on kafm community radio
On the first Thursday of every month Faith Rodriguez (Executive Director) and Kyra Seppie (Community Engagement & Outreach Manager) host United is the Way during the Community Affairs Hour at KAFM. The show features guests from nonprofit partners, new project and program updates, and information about upcoming events. Tune in live or listen to the podcast recordings below!
Thank you to KAFM for providing the space to host our own show! For more information or to listen live visit www.kafmradio.org