CHICAGO, IL - February 2, 2026 – Today, United Way of Metro Chicago announced the 2026 grantees of the Chicago BridgeBuilders Fund. The fifth cohort includes ten small, local organizations driving positive change in historically disinvested communities on the South and West Sides of Chicago and in the south suburbs. Each of the grantees will be awarded up to $50,000 of unrestricted funds over two years to be used according to the needs of each nonprofit.
The organizations and leadership of the fifth cohort are:
Centro Comunitario La Villita (Janneth Hernandez, Executive Director and Co-Founder) – engages women of color, particularly Latina immigrants, in collective healing, community building, organizing and systems change activism.
EXxperts Chicago LTD (Kanoya Ali, Executive Director) – empowers the at-risk population to build positive lives and reach their full potential by partnerships with community leaders.
Girls Like Me Project (La’Keisha R. Gray-Sewell, Founder and Executive Director) – helps African American girls overcome stigmas and stereotypes and equips them with tools and strategies to become influential, independent digital storytellers.
Hey Benji Foundation (Barbara Graham, Founder and Executive Director) – provides youth development and resources to children and families in underserved neighborhoods through summer programming.
I.C.A.R.E. Ministries (Jackie Cross, Executive Director) – supports youth and families through academics and holistic and spiritual empowerment.
NDoula Community Alliance (Mai Heath, Founding Director) – improves healthcare access and support through holistic health literacy, reproductive justice and building strong support networks.
OPEN Center for the Arts (Omar Magana, Founder and Executive Director) – connects corporations and industry professionals to students, enhancing their educational experience by providing resources that equip them to achieve their goals.
Restorative Expressive Arts Corp (TaKenya White, Founder and CEO) – promotes health and wellness through creative expression by providing inclusive spaces where people of all ages and abilities can authentically express themselves.
Village of Leaders Thriving in Solidarity / VOLTS (Kimberly Britt, Co-Executive Director) – builds economic power and self-determination by incubating worker and housing cooperatives owned and governed by formerly incarcerated Black women and other systems-impacted people.
What About US Charitable Enterprises Inc. (Dorin McIntyre, Co-Founder and Executive Director) – enhances the lives of Austin residents by connecting them with community resources, experiences and opportunities.
In addition to the unrestricted funding, grantees receive two years of intensive capacity building support from DePaul University’s nonprofit management program and opportunities to network with corporate partners, funders and each other.
“Thriving neighborhoods are built by investing directly in the people and organizations that know their communities best. The Chicago BridgeBuilders Fund is a key part of United Way of Metro Chicago’s commitment to place-based investment,” said Sean Garrett, President and CEO of United Way of Metro Chicago. “The launch of our fifth cohort of the Chicago BridgeBuilders Fund furthers United Way’s work removing barriers and unlocking opportunities for small nonprofits rooted in historically disinvested communities across the Chicago region.”
The Chicago BridgeBuilders Fund is made possible with the generous support of founding sponsor Peoples Gas, which committed $1 million to the initiative, Boeing, IMC, Nicor Gas, PNC and Target, plus academic partner DePaul University and pro-bono partner Compass Pro Bono.
United Way will assist the cohort in building capacity at the grassroots level to accelerate neighborhood-driven outcomes and mentor them to plan for long-term success. Since launching the Chicago BridgeBuilders Fund in 2021, United Way of Metro Chicago has invested more than $2 million in 49 small, local organizations on Chicago’s South and West Sides and in the south suburban region. Learn more at LIVEUNITEDchicago.org/united-neighborhoods-equity-fund
About United Way of Metro Chicago
United Way of Metro Chicago brings together businesses, government, philanthropic, individual and community leaders to deliver funding and resources and amplify 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 Chicago region. For more information, visit LIVEUNITEDchicago.org.
Media Contact
Kris Adamik, 312.906.2291,
kris.adamik@LIVEUNITEDchicago.org