(Chicago, IL - Aug. 6, 2024) – United Way of Metro Chicago announced Scott C. Swanson, president of PNC Bank in Illinois, will serve as the 2024-25 annual fundraising campaign chair. Swanson succeeds Immediate Past Chair David C. Blowers, vice chairman of Northern Trust, who led United Way to a successful 2023-24 campaign, having helped raise more than $44 million to build thriving communities and a stronger, more equitable Chicago region.
As United Way of Metro Chicago’s 2024-25 campaign chair, Swanson will oversee a committee of fellow corporate leaders who will drive the next year of employee giving – and inspire greater impact in our communities. His one-year term as campaign chair began July 1.
“PNC and United Way have a shared commitment to advancing economic opportunities across the state, and I'm going to take on the challenge of bringing in more resources and engaging a broader constituency,” Swanson said. “We have a lot of wonderful companies, individuals and organizations that have given year after year and continue to support United Way. They recognize that, together, an investment in United Way will have a more significant impact than any one individual could have alone.”
Swanson will continue the work of Blowers and those before him, raising critical dollars to extend United Way’s work in the community to ensure that all individuals can meet their basic needs such as food, shelter and access to health care, and to help drive transformative change alongside partners in 18 city and suburban communities via the Neighborhood Network Initiative.
Swanson is a multi-generational Chicagoan and a committed United Way donor, having supported the organization through employee giving for 35 years. He also has served on United Way of Metro Chicago’s board of directors for 17 years and is a strong advocate of United Way’s comprehensive, place-based approach to community investment and transformation.
“In Chicago, the business community recognizes the value of an organization like United Way,” Swanson said. “For decades, PNC’s employees have come together through United Way campaigns and other volunteer initiatives to support an organization that brings together community businesses, government and agencies to really drive sustainable change.”
Swanson’s career in banking spans three decades. He has served as regional president of PNC Bank in Illinois for the past 11 years, leading PNC’s overall growth strategy. During his tenure, he has built a team of effective leaders and secured a partnership with the Chicago Bears, establishing PNC as the team’s official bank. Under his leadership, the company’s signature philanthropic initiative, PNC Grow Up Great®, has invested more than $16 million in bilingual early education initiatives at community-based organizations across the Chicago region.
Swanson serves as a member and in leadership roles for several civic committees and nonprofit boards, including the Adler Planetarium, the Commercial Club of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, United Way of Metro Chicago, World Business Chicago, the Big Shoulders Fund, the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center, the Executives’ Club of Chicago, the Cook County Council of Economic Advisors, the Economic Club of Chicago, the finance council of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Chicago United and Neighborhood Housing Services.
About United Way of Metro Chicago
United Way of Metro Chicago brings together business, government, philanthropic, individual and community leaders to deliver funding and resources while amplifying the expertise of nonprofit organizations across greater Chicago. We help individuals meet their basic needs and work alongside neighborhood partners to address local priorities and create communities where all people can thrive. United, we are building a stronger, more equitable Chicago region. Learn more about United Way of Metro Chicago at LIVEUNITEDchicago.org.
Media Contact
United Way of Metro Chicago – Kris Adamik, 312.906.2291,
kris.adamik@liveunitedchicago.org