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About Us

Your partner in creating lasting change in Kent County, Maryland

What We Do ...

United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our community.

We do this by LIVING UNITED, forging unlikely partnerships, finding new solutions to old problems, mobilizing the best resources, and inspiring individuals to join the fight.

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Diversity and Inclusion

United Way of Kent County, Maryland fosters and promotes an inclusive environment that leverages the unique contributions of diverse individuals and organizations so that we can collectively and effectively create opportunities for a better life for all.

We focus on promoting an inclusive environment in every aspect of our business, where everyone respects and values the contributions of all people. The different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives of our community strengthen the quality of our work and the success of our organizations.

Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of what it means to LIVE UNITED.

Anti-Racism/Discrimination Statement       

The United Way of Kent County (UWKC) is committed to programs and activities that are free of racial or ethnic discrimination. UWKC endeavors to provide and maintain an environment that fosters respect among all members of the community. 

UWKC strives to provide an environment where individuals are free to grow intellectually, personally, professionally, and socially without intimidation or fear. Intimidation and harassment affect not only those who suffer the harassment, but every Kent County Resident. 

UWKC recognizes discrimination has contributed to disparities, in the past, present and most likely the future, and these disparities have been exacerbated by policies and procedures creating dependency. 

UWKC sincerely believes racism/ethnic discrimination undermines the strengths of every community in Kent County and denounces any form of racism/ethnic discrimination. 

UWKC works with partners statewide to create solutions to see every Kent County Resident succeed and thrive and create more equitable communities. 

Racial and ethnic discrimination is a violation of federal and state law, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) and other key federal civil rights statues. 

Our Mission

Our Board

Annual Report

Our Financials

Agency Screening

The mission of United Way of Kent County is to identify the human service needs of the community; promote member agency programs in an effort to increase public understanding and financial and volunteer support; solicit funds for these agencies by conducting an annual fund-raising campaign; and allocate these funds, giving emphasis to those agencies with programs that address community needs prioritized by the Board of Directors.

Our Vision Statement

United Way of Kent County works to improve the Health, Education and Financial Stability of Individuals and Families in Kent County.

United Way of Kent County believes that no one organization can change the conditions in our community. Rather we hold that building community partnerships and bringing together diverse stakeholders better equips us to address the root problems facing Kent County. As a result, United Way continues to focus on community partnerships as the most effective approach to problem solving.

Agencies applying for Membership status with the United Way of Kent County must:

  • Be Classified as a 501(c)3 agency by the Internal Revenue Service;
  • Provide direct services to residents of Kent County in the areas of Health, Education and Financial Stability, or address an area specified in the 2018 Comprehensive Needs Assessment;
  • Have all valid licenses and permits to provide such services;
  • Have good fiscal management with reasonable management and fundraising expenses (generally 25% or less of total support and revenue);
  • Be overseen by an active, independent Board of Directors who represent the community;
  • Agree to display the UWKC logo on their printed materials;
  • Refrain from major fundraising during the UWKC campaign;
  • And be up-to-date in the Maryland 211 database

Board Vetting Process

The Board of Directors of United Way of Kent County takes very seriously its role as good stewards of community donations. Allocating funds to local agencies is the most important job of the Board. Each Agency must complete an Allocation Application yearly, which includes the mission of the agency and the parameters of the programs within United Way’s Mission that UWKC is being asked to fund, financial statements, audits and 990, brochures and other relative materials, numbers of Kent County residents that will be served, and perceived impact on the community. The Allocation Committee reads each application, and a separate subcommittee reviews financials. Each agency participates in a 30 minute Allocation Interview with the Committee, at which time it can present and further explain its application. After all applications have been reviewed and applicants interviewed, the Committee meets to designate funds to each agency that meets the criteria, and decides how much that funding will be. All in all, the process takes about five months.

Bob Altieri
Bob Altieri

President

Senior level banking executive with over 35 years banking experience from launching a mortgage division for a rapidly growing $2 billion Bank to being President and CEO of a $400 million publicly traded Bank (NASDAQ). In addition, acted as a financial consultant for a cryptocurrency trust company that was purchasing a Bank in Oklahoma and coordinated the approval process with the State and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Most recently and before joining Chesapeake Bank and Trust as their President/CEO, was the Chief Operating Officer for Baltimore Community Lending, LLC, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) lending to minority businesses and developers in Baltimore City.

Amanda Nelson Parks
Amanda Nelson Parks

Vice President

Amanda is native to Kent County and is the owner and operator of Fit Flock, LLC, located in Chestertown. She is the Vice President of The Chester River Wellness Alliance and leads Community Flock Walks during the warmer months. She is a volunteer with Kent County 4-H and The Maryland Business Roundtable. Amanda is active in Sacred Heart and St John's parish as a lector. Her main passion is health and wellness and she can be found buying all her groceries at the Chestertown Farmers Market and participating in local races. She enjoys helping other small businesses and working closely with her community members.

Muriel Cole
Muriel Cole

Secretary

Muriel, who joined the Board in 2020, has vast experience with the senior population, working with the Maryland state Commission on Aging. Now a retiree herself, she has shared her knowledge in Kent County with the Kent County Commission on Aging, Homeports, and with her column in the Kent County news, "Seniors Matter." She has already been instrumental in getting the message of United Way's mission out to the public. Muriel lives in Chestertown.

Amy Meade
Amy Meade

Executive Director

Amy joined the United Way of Kent County after 15 years of owning her own successful business, Teknika Kitchens and Baths in Chestertown and Philadelphia. Prior to that Amy spent 20 years in the corporate world with such companies as Frito-Lay, Novartis and Destination Maternity in roles ranging from marketing to finance.
Amy moved to Chestertown in 2020 and immediately became active in volunteer activities including Chestertown Tea Party Committee and Main Street Chestertown.
Amy lives in Queen Anne's County with two very large dogs, Malone and Mak.

Carol Droge
Carol Droge

Director

Carol served on the United Way Board from 2013-2020 in various positions including Secretary and President. She returned to the Board in 2021. She has been actively involved with many local non-profits, as well as the local hospital. She volunteered and then worked part-time for the Kent Family Center from 2006-2011. Carol relocated from Newark DE full-time in 2005, after spending 30 years in the corporate world. She lives with her husband Mike on the beautiful Sassafras River.

Rebecca Murphy
Rebecca Murphy

Director

Rebecca Murphy is the Principal of RCM Strategic Consulting in Chestertown. Her company does, among other things, strategic planning. She joined the Board in 2020 and serves on the Strategic Planning Committee and co-chairs the Allocations Committee. Her passion is positive social change, particularly particularly addressing economic and racial inequality, discrimination against women, people of color, and the LGBTQI community. When she is not working, Rebecca can be found puttering around cities admiring historic architecture and finding interesting wines to drink, texting one of her two wonderful children, enjoying an Orioles game, sailing on the Chester River, or on a beach somewhere with her Kindle.

Martin Knight
Martin Knight

Director

Martin "Marty" Knight has served as a financial advisor for Kent County since 2005. Bringing a wealth of expertise and experience in assisting donors with choosing contribution options that best fit their needs, Marty has served Kent County in a variety of roles, most recently as the former President of United Way of Kent County.

Marty joined the United Way of Kent County Board in 2017, and continues to serve as an At Large Board Member within the organization. Currently, he lives in Centreville with his family and enjoys sampling all the different flavors of ice cream at Stams Luncheonette.

Matthew Groppe
Matthew Groppe

Director

Matt Groppe is an executive at Purolator International and has held previous board positions with International Shipping Associations. He moved to Chestertown in the past year and is interested in helping others in our community.

Johnnie Johnson
Johnnie Johnson

Director

Johnnie Johnson completed his undergraduate degree in Economics & Business and Sociology at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, IA. He served as the Senior Associate Director of Admissions, and the Director of Admissions at Georgetown College in Georgetown, KY. Johnnie joined the Transylvania admissions staff in July 2011 serving as the Associate Director of Admissions, Director of Operations, Director of Multicultural Recruitment, Director of Admissions and as the Vice President for Admissions. Johnnie joined Washington College as Vice President for Enrollment Management in September 2022. He has also served as the Affiliate Presidents Council Coordinator with the National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), as president of the Kentucky Association of College Admissions Counseling (KYACAC), as a board member of the YMCA Black Achievers Program, and is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

Nicole Caringal
Nicole Caringal

Director

Great bio on its way!

David White
David White

Director

David White is a retired academic who taught the history of India and the Middle East for twenty-five years at Appalachian State University before serving as a department chair, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs at Appalachian and other universities. During that time, he published several articles and a book on aspects of the economic history of the Indian Ocean region. He is the recipient of two Fulbright Fellowships and several Joseph Malone Fellowships and was chosen for a North Carolina Board of Governors University Teaching Award. Since retiring and moving to Chestertown, he has served as chair of the Washington College Academy for Lifelong Learning Council and Commodore of the Chester River Yacht Club, where he also serves on the Board. He is a member of the Chestertown Rotary and helped organize the first Volunteer Fair in Chestertown.

Susan Storm
Susan Storm

Director

She and her husband retired to their home in Kentmore Park from Wilmington, DE in June of 2019. Prior to that they were just “weekenders”.

Susan had a very successful sales career that spanned 25 years, and then, as an “encore” career, spent the last seven years of full-time employment as the Fitness Director at a large health club in Hockessin Delaware.

Now living full time in the Chestertown area, Susan is a fitness instructor and starting up the LiveSTRONG Cancer Survivor Program at the local YMCA. Less retired than she intended, but thoroughly enjoying her great passion of keeping people fit and active!

Susan was an active member of the Wilmington Junior League with an emphasis on fundraising and an active volunteer for YMCA fundraising in Chester County, PA.

Click to view a copy of our year end 2021 Form 990

Click to view a copy of our year end 2020 Form 990.

Click to view a copy of our year end 2020 Audit

Click to view a copy of our year end 2019 Form 990.

Click to view a copy of our year end 2018 Form 990.

Click to view a copy of our year end 2018 Financial Review.

Click to view a copy of our year end 2017 Form 990.

Click to view a copy of our year end 2017 Audit

Click to view a copy of our year end 2016 Form 990.

Click to view a copy of our year end 2016 Audit.

Click to view a copy of our year end 2015 Form 990.