Peoples Gas is the founding sponsor of the United Neighborhoods Equity Fund
About United Neighborhoods Equity Fund
United Way of Metro Chicago, with the support of founding sponsor Peoples Gas, launched the United Neighborhoods Equity Fund (UNEF) to support small, BIPOC-led (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) nonprofits predominantly located on the city’s South and West Sides and in the south suburban region and connect them to new capacity-building and investment opportunities.
Historic disinvestment in BIPOC communities throughout Chicago has led to the current racial, social, and economic issues impacting families and residents on the city’s South and West Sides and in the 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.
Benefits of the Fund
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
2023–2025 GRANT GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION
Eligibility Requirements for Applicants
- BIPOC Founder or Executive Director
- 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
- Working on Chicago’s South Side or West Side or in the south suburban region, ideally aligned with one of United Way’s Neighborhood Network coalitions
See answers to other frequently asked questions in our FAQ Document.
Application and Grant Cycle Timeline
The application for the 2023-2025 grant is now closed!
- August 7, 2023: Applications Open for 2023-2025 Cohort
- August 10, 2023: Information Session #1
- August 17, 2023: Information Session #2
- August 25, 2023: Application Closes
- August 28 - September 8, 2023: Application Review Process
- Mid-September: Final Grantee Selection for 2023-2025 Cohort
For questions about The Fund, please email United Neighborhoods Equity Fund.
PREVIOUS UNEF GRANTEES
10 BIPOC 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. Learn more about each of the grantees from each grant cycle.
Sponsors and Partners
IMC is a corporate sponsor of the United Neighborhoods Equity Fund
Nicor Gas is a corporate sponsor of the United Neighborhoods Equity Fund
Target is a corporate sponsor of the United Neighborhoods Equity Fund
UL is a corporate sponsor of the United Neighborhoods Equity Fund