Chicago BridgeBuilders Fund: Grant Application

A COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING SMALL, LOCAL NONPROFITS

The Chicago BridgeBuilders Fund (formerly “UNEF”) is United Way of Metro Chicago’s philanthropic commitment to addressing historic community disinvestment and creating a stronger Chicago region.

The Fund supports small, local organizations leading a variety of dynamic work, from arts and culture to youth development to mental health support, on the South and West Sides of Chicago and in the south suburbs. The Chicago BridgeBuilders Fund provides unrestricted funding, networking and relationship building, and tailored capacity building to meet the organizations’ needs and advance their long-term goals.

BENEFITS OF THE FUND

Unrestricted Funding
Up to $50,000 of unrestricted funds over 2 years to be used according to the needs of the agency

Networking & Relationships
Cohort model with agency peers, building cross-sector relationships and networking with potential funders and investors

Capacity Building
Individual and group capacity-building sessions with DePaul University faculty and other professionals

Holistic Support Approach
Targets organizations with <$1M annual budgets that often don’t qualify for traditional grants, providing holistic support and growth strategies

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GRANT GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION

The Chicago BridgeBuilders Fund is intended to support small nonprofit organizations serving Chicago's South and West Sides and the south suburban region, ideally aligned with United Way of Metro Chicago's Neighborhood Network coalitions. Nonprofit organizations rooted and respected in historically disinvested communities, and with an interest in building new capacity are encouraged to apply.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS

Budget of less than $1,000,000
Community-based organizations supporting work at the intersection of economic development and social services
Organizations working in Chicago’s South and West Sides and in the south suburban region, ideally aligned with United Way's Neighborhood Network Coalitions
501c3 status or fiscal sponsor

Other resources:

APPLICATION AND GRANT CYCLE TIMELINE

The application for the 2026-2027 grant cycle, cohort 5, is closed.

September 17, 2025: Application Opens for Cohort 5, 2026-2027
September 24, 2025: Information Session
October 8, 2025: Application Closes
November (TBD) 2025: Funding Notifications
November (TBD) 2025: Grant Agreement Released & Executed
January 29, 2026: Cohort 5 Kick Off Mixer
January 1, 2026 - December 30, 2027: Award Period

For questions about The Fund, please email United Way's Community Impact Team.

GRANTEES OF THE FUND

Grantee organizations supporting Chicago's South or West Sides or the south suburban region are awarded up to $50,000 of unrestricted funding over two years to be used according to the needs of each non-profit. Learn more about the grantees.