Peoples Gas is the founding sponsor of the United Neighborhoods Equity Fund
Visit SiteHistoric disinvestment in Black and brown communities throughout Chicago has led to the current racial, social, and economic issues impacting families and residents in the city’s south and west sides and south suburban region.
New research by Echoing Green and The Bridgespan Group has shown that leaders of color face challenges connecting to funders, building rapport, and securing and sustaining support for culturally relevant strategies. This has led to significant disparities in investment, including Black-led organizations dedicated to improving outcomes for Black men having revenue that is 45% lower than organizations with white leaders. UNEF is a philanthropic commitment to addressing these barriers and creating a more equitable and just Chicago.
Unrestricted Funding
Each grantee will be awarded $50,000 of unrestricted funds (over a 2-year cycle) to be used according to the needs of each agency
Capacity Building
Spend 24 months engaging in individual and group capacity building sessions with DePaul University faculty and other professionals
Networking & Relationships
Join a cohort with agency peers, build new cross-sector relationships, and network with potential funders and investors
10 Black and Latinx nonprofit leaders and their organizations are awarded $50,000 of unrestricted funds over a two-year cycle to be used according to the needs of each nonprofit.
To learn more about each of the grantees, click on each of the below names to read the grantee bios or read the press release here..
Antonio Santos- Gage Park Latinx Council
Jamila Trimuel- Ladies of Virtue
Carmen Terrones- Connecting RJ Communities
Maria Velazquez- Telpochcalli Community Education Project
Edwin Martinez-Centro Sanar
Messiah Equiano- Chi-Rise
Eula Burge- Proactive Community Services
Richard Wallace- Equity and Transformation
Irene Romulo- Cicero Independiente
Ruth Kimble- Austin Childcare Providers Network
The Fund is intended to support small organizations located on Chicago’s south and west sides and south suburban region, ideally aligned with United Way of Metro Chicago’s Neighborhood Network coalitions. Organizations will have Black or brown leadership, be rooted and respected in local communities, and have an interest in building new capacity.
For questions regarding UNEF or the application process, please email CommunityImpact@LIVEUNITEDchicago.org
Eligibility Requirements for Applicants:
• | Black/brown leadership |
• | Budget of less than $1,000,000 |
• | 501c3 status or fiscal sponsor |
• | Grassroots organizations supporting community work at the intersection of economic development and social services |
• | Nominated by a United Way Network lead agency, UNEF corporate partner, or United Way staff member |
• | Working on Chicago’s south side, west side, or in the south suburban region, ideally aligned with one of United Way’s Neighborhood Network coalitions |
Application and grant cycle timeline:
• | August 15, 2021 – Applications Due |
• | August 23, 2021 – Grantees Notified |
• | September 1, 2021 – Grantees Announced and year 1 granting cycle begins |