Announcing the United Neighborhoods Equity Fund 2023 – 2025 Grantees

United Way of Metro Chicago announced the grantees of the third cohort of the United Neighborhoods Equity Fund. The 2023–2025 cohort includes nine small, BIPOC-led (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) nonprofits throughout the Chicago region. Each of the grantees will be awarded $50,000 of unrestricted funds over two years to be used according to the needs of each nonprofit.

United Way of Metro Chicago Announces David C. Blowers as Campaign Chair for 2023-2024

 

Chicago, Ill. – September 5, 2023 – United Way of Metro Chicago is honored to announce David C. Blowers, Vice Chairman of Northern Trust, as Chair of the 2023-2024 annual fundraising Campaign, which began on July 1.

Blowers succeeds Immediate Past Chair Wendell Dallas, President and CEO of Nicor Gas, who led United Way to a successful 2022-2023 Campaign, which saw the organization raise more than $45 million toward its work of building a stronger, more equitable Chicago region. Blowers’ leadership will continue the work of Dallas and those before him—raising critical dollars to extend United Way’s work in community to ensure that all individuals can meet their basic needs such as food, shelter and access to health care, and to drive transformative change alongside partners in 17 city and suburban communities via the Neighborhood Network Initiative.

Like Northern Trust’s longstanding partnership with United Way of Metro Chicago that dates to the organization’s beginnings in 1929, Blowers’ connection to United Way runs deep. He has been a United Way donor for 41 years, since his first employee giving campaign at Northern Trust when he was hired in 1982. He also serves on the United Way Board of Directors and Tocqueville Committee, where he drives high-impact work with the support of fellow philanthropic leaders

“Over the course of my career, I have had the opportunity to see our community from many different perspectives,” Blowers said. “And there has been no time more than now where the good work and leadership of United Way has been more needed.”

Blowers brings to the role his can-do attitude and deep civic experience, including current roles as Board Chair of WTTW/WFMT, board member at Lawrence University and member of the Fellows Association of Leadership Greater Chicago, The Economic Club of Chicago and The Chicago Club. As Campaign Chair, he will oversee a committee of fellow corporate leaders who will drive the next year of employee giving—and inspire greater impact in our communities.

“It is such an honor for me to serve in a role that has been held by so many impressive Chicago leaders, including my own Northern Trust colleagues, David Fox, Bill Osborn and Rick Waddell,” Blowers said. “I love what United Way represents as a convener across our city and in our neighborhoods. Chicago has always been known as the ‘city that works’ because of our tradition of strong collaboration across the public and private sectors, along with our incredibly generous philanthropic community. In my mind, it’s time to get back to that basic formula.”

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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 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, 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

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Announcing the 2023-2025 Board Chair

United Way of Metro Chicago is honored to announce the appointment of Linda Coberly, Chair, Appellate & Critical Motions at Winston & Strawn LLP, to a two-year term as the Chair for the Board of Directors for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.

United Way of Metro Chicago Announces David C. Blowers as Campaign Chair for 2023-2024

 

Chicago, Ill. – September 5, 2023 – United Way of Metro Chicago is honored to announce David C. Blowers, Vice Chairman of Northern Trust, as Chair of the 2023-2024 annual fundraising Campaign, which began on July 1.

Blowers succeeds Immediate Past Chair Wendell Dallas, President and CEO of Nicor Gas, who led United Way to a successful 2022-2023 Campaign, which saw the organization raise more than $45 million toward its work of building a stronger, more equitable Chicago region. Blowers’ leadership will continue the work of Dallas and those before him—raising critical dollars to extend United Way’s work in community to ensure that all individuals can meet their basic needs such as food, shelter and access to health care, and to drive transformative change alongside partners in 17 city and suburban communities via the Neighborhood Network Initiative.

Like Northern Trust’s longstanding partnership with United Way of Metro Chicago that dates to the organization’s beginnings in 1929, Blowers’ connection to United Way runs deep. He has been a United Way donor for 41 years, since his first employee giving campaign at Northern Trust when he was hired in 1982. He also serves on the United Way Board of Directors and Tocqueville Committee, where he drives high-impact work with the support of fellow philanthropic leaders

“Over the course of my career, I have had the opportunity to see our community from many different perspectives,” Blowers said. “And there has been no time more than now where the good work and leadership of United Way has been more needed.”

Blowers brings to the role his can-do attitude and deep civic experience, including current roles as Board Chair of WTTW/WFMT, board member at Lawrence University and member of the Fellows Association of Leadership Greater Chicago, The Economic Club of Chicago and The Chicago Club. As Campaign Chair, he will oversee a committee of fellow corporate leaders who will drive the next year of employee giving—and inspire greater impact in our communities.

“It is such an honor for me to serve in a role that has been held by so many impressive Chicago leaders, including my own Northern Trust colleagues, David Fox, Bill Osborn and Rick Waddell,” Blowers said. “I love what United Way represents as a convener across our city and in our neighborhoods. Chicago has always been known as the ‘city that works’ because of our tradition of strong collaboration across the public and private sectors, along with our incredibly generous philanthropic community. In my mind, it’s time to get back to that basic formula.”

###

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 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, 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

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Announcing the 2023-2024 Campaign Chair

United Way of Metro Chicago is honored to announce David C. Blowers, Vice Chairman of Northern Trust, as Chair of the 2023-2024 annual fundraising Campaign, which began on July 1.

United Way of Metro Chicago Announces David C. Blowers as Campaign Chair for 2023-2024

 

Chicago, Ill. – September 5, 2023 – United Way of Metro Chicago is honored to announce David C. Blowers, Vice Chairman of Northern Trust, as Chair of the 2023-2024 annual fundraising Campaign, which began on July 1.

Blowers succeeds Immediate Past Chair Wendell Dallas, President and CEO of Nicor Gas, who led United Way to a successful 2022-2023 Campaign, which saw the organization raise more than $45 million toward its work of building a stronger, more equitable Chicago region. Blowers’ leadership will continue the work of Dallas and those before him—raising critical dollars to extend United Way’s work in community to ensure that all individuals can meet their basic needs such as food, shelter and access to health care, and to drive transformative change alongside partners in 17 city and suburban communities via the Neighborhood Network Initiative.

Like Northern Trust’s longstanding partnership with United Way of Metro Chicago that dates to the organization’s beginnings in 1929, Blowers’ connection to United Way runs deep. He has been a United Way donor for 41 years, since his first employee giving campaign at Northern Trust when he was hired in 1982. He also serves on the United Way Board of Directors and Tocqueville Committee, where he drives high-impact work with the support of fellow philanthropic leaders

“Over the course of my career, I have had the opportunity to see our community from many different perspectives,” Blowers said. “And there has been no time more than now where the good work and leadership of United Way has been more needed.”

Blowers brings to the role his can-do attitude and deep civic experience, including current roles as Board Chair of WTTW/WFMT, board member at Lawrence University and member of the Fellows Association of Leadership Greater Chicago, The Economic Club of Chicago and The Chicago Club. As Campaign Chair, he will oversee a committee of fellow corporate leaders who will drive the next year of employee giving—and inspire greater impact in our communities.

“It is such an honor for me to serve in a role that has been held by so many impressive Chicago leaders, including my own Northern Trust colleagues, David Fox, Bill Osborn and Rick Waddell,” Blowers said. “I love what United Way represents as a convener across our city and in our neighborhoods. Chicago has always been known as the ‘city that works’ because of our tradition of strong collaboration across the public and private sectors, along with our incredibly generous philanthropic community. In my mind, it’s time to get back to that basic formula.”

###

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 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, 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

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Stronger Neighborhoods Awards 2023

United Way of Metro Chicago hosted the 2023 Stronger Neighborhoods Awards Luncheon in celebration of the commitment of business, civic, nonprofit and community leaders working alongside United Way to build a stronger, more equitable Chicago region. This year’s honorees were Patrick G. Ryan and Peoples Gas.

Chicago, Ill. – June 21, 2023 – United Way of Metro Chicago hosted the 2023 Stronger Neighborhoods Awards Luncheon in celebration of the commitment of business, civic, nonprofit and community leaders working alongside United Way to build a stronger, more equitable Chicago region. 

At today’s annual luncheon event at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, United Way raised more than $1.2 million to support their vision of creating communities where all people can thrive. By uniting changemakers across industries, United Way works to ensure that businesses, government, nonprofits, and community leaders are coming together to address the Chicago region’s most pressing needs.  

“Each year, our partners continue to show up and commit to investing in our neighborhoods so that every child, family, and individual can see the bright future ahead of them,” said United Way of Metro Chicago President and CEO Sean Garrett. “Dedicated civic leaders like Patrick G. Ryan, Peoples Gas and our many other generous partners embody what it means to think big and drive change together across the Chicago region.” 

This year’s event honored two of the Chicago region’s most distinguished philanthropic leaders and their commitment to improving outcomes for people across our region. Patrick G. Ryan, founder, chairman and CEO of Ryan Specialty, received the 2023 Andrew J. McKenna Leadership Award in recognition of his commitment as an influential business and philanthropic leader whose selfless actions have encouraged others to step forward and improve the quality of life for countless individuals and families in the Chicago region. 

Peoples Gas received the 2023 Corporate Leadership Award in recognition of their steadfast partnership with United Way and dedication to embodying a culture of giving back to the communities where Chicagoans live and work.  

The event was co-chaired by John Canning, Greg Case, David Casper, Wendell Dallas, Jim Denny, Craig Duchossois, Robert Ford, Cheryl Francis, Teresa Wilton Harmon, Torrence Hinton, Travis Hunter, Timothy P. Knight, Randy Lyon, John Madigan, Carina Markel, Robert S. Murley, Dick & Peggy Notebaert, Michael O’Grady, Robert G. Reiter Jr., Chris Reyes, John W. Rogers, Scott Santi, Jennifer Scanlon, Scott Swanson and Rick Waddell. 

Sponsors of the event include the Crown Family, Jim and Cate Denny, ITW, John W. Madigan, Peoples Gas, Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan and Sidley Austin. To view a full list of sponsors and for more information about the event, visit LIVEUNITEDchicago.org/stronger-neighborhoods 

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 to 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, 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 

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Southland Neighborhood Networks Launch

United Way of Metro Chicago, in partnership with Cook County and with support from the Nicor Gas Foundation, has announced the expansion of its Neighborhood Network Initiative in Ford Heights/Chicago Heights, Harvey and Park Forest/Richton Park, plus an increased investment in the existing Blue Island/Robbins Neighborhood Network.