At United Way, our goal is not to return to normal, because normal didn’t provide opportunities for all our neighbors. Our goal is to create a vibrant Chicago region where all our neighbors have access to the resources they need to thrive. Our goal is to build back better by ensuring all individuals and families can meet their basic needs and working alongside community leaders to rebuild neighborhoods to be stronger and more equitable.
At our core, United Way is a connector and convener. We believe that lasting change occurs when we partner together and work toward a common goal. That’s why we’ve teamed up with state, regional and local partners to turn ideas into action. Through these strategic partnerships, we’re able to make tangible progress toward building a stronger, more equitable Chicago region for all our neighbors.
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Individuals participated in the United Way of Illinois 21-Week Equity Challenge
Estimated CPS Students to receive internet access through Chicago Connected
Students participated in Character Playbook in the 2020-21 School Year
Local United Ways across Illinois partnered to launch the Illinois ALICE Report
Months of services provided by each annual cohort of AmeriCorps members
United Way comes alongside resident-led coalitions to bring community-driven goals to life, reversing decades of disinvestment in Black and Brown communities to make sure that zip code doesn’t determine health, employment, and education outcomes.
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Neighborhood Networks in the City of Chicago and Suburbs
Finalists for the Pritzker Traubert Chicago Prize; Auburn Gresham is the 2020 winner
Pounds of food distributed to 10,000+ households in Austin
BMO Harris Bank investment in the Austin Neighborhood Network
Community Ambassadors in Cicero support students and parent involvement
United Way helps those impacted by COVID-19 meet their immediate basic needs by investing in organizations that provide food support and rental, mortgage, and utility assistance. Meeting basic needs is the foundation for building communities where every individual and every family can thrive.
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Funds raised through the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund
Agencies supported through the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund
Nonprofit partners funded during United Way’s 2021 grant cycle
CPS students to be connected to Wi-Fi through Chicago Connected
Households connected to supportive housing
United Way of Metro Chicago, with the support of founding sponsor Peoples Gas, launched the United Neighborhoods Equity Fund (UNEF) to support small, Black and brown-led nonprofits predominantly located in the city’s south and west sides and south suburban region, and connect them to new capacity building and investment opportunities.
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Founding gift by Peoples Gas to launch UNEF
Black and Latinx-led nonprofit grantees
Unrestricted funding over two years
Months of capacity building training for each grantee
Academic partner providing nonprofit management training
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