United Way Of Metropolitan Chicago Inc

Neighborhood networks at united way of metro chicago, we work alongside local neighborhood leaders to help identify community priorities and create a resident-driven neighborhood strategy. This place-based approach is led by the community quarterback, an agency that helps bring to the table all the people, resources, and ideas needed to execute community plans. United way provides funding, capacity building, and connections. We then work on the ground with the community quarterback to develop and support their work in the areas of economic and workforce development, education, housing, safety, and more. United way of metro chicago supports networks in 17 neighborhoods: auburn gresham, (see schedule o) austin, blue island/robbins, brighton park, bronzeville, chicago heights/ford heights, elgin, englewood, evanston, far south, garfield park, harvey, little village, park forest/richton park, south chicago, summit, and west chicago.some major developments & outcomes:- united way partners in west garfield park broke ground on sankofa village wellness center, a new hub that will bring essential health resources, education, and economic development to the neighborhood. - the park forest/richton park neighborhood network celebrated the ribbon cutting of the nici southland clean energy training center, promoting workforce development and economic growth.- the aspire center for workforce innovation celebrated the grand opening in the austin neighborhood network.catalytic investmentsunited way of metro chicago created a criterion framework to assess large, catalytic investment opportunities in neighborhood network communities. When making an investment decision, united way considers a project's alignment with a neighborhood network's overarching goals, how partners and community residents will utilize the space, the ripple effect on the neighborhood, and its long-term sustainability.catalytic investment decisions consider the project's immediate and long-term impacts on the community, ranging from local hiring during construction to permanent jobs, and how services can serve as a springboard for family stability.catalytic investment impacts:- in auburn gresham, united way's catalytic investment supported phase two of the green era campus.- in the austin community, united way's catalytic investment supported the opening of the aspire center for workforce innovation.- united way invested in the south chicago quality of life plan and englewood master planmore than $8.5 million was invested to support the neighborhood network initiative from july 1, 2024, to june 30, 2025.

The critical work of united way requires significant resources. Support is raised through a diversified revenue model. United way conducts workplace giving campaigns, receives individual and major gifts, and is awarded grants from private foundations and the local, state, and federal government. Strategic efforts are in place to further grow significant revenue from grants and individual giving. Other program service achievements include designations by donors to other 501(c)(3) organizations.

Other projects (chicago bridgebuilders fund 211 metro chicago)more than $2.5 million was invested to support the organization's special initiatives and investments, including the chicago bridgebuilders fund and 211 metro chicago during the fy25 period of july 1, 2024, to june 30, 2025. Chicago bridgebuilders fundchicago bridgebuilders fund (cbbf) launched in the fall of 2021 to support small, local nonprofit organizations serving the south and west sides of the city and the south suburbs. Cbbf is designed to connect grantees to new capacity-building and investment opportunities that meet their needs and advance their long-term goals.the cohort-based program incorporates the following components:- unrestricted funding: funding two-year general operating grant award (up to $50,000 total)- networking and relationship building: 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 an annual budget of less than $1m that often don't qualify for traditional grants, providing holistic support and strategies for growthinitial program successess since launching in 2021: - 39 grantes - $1.88 million granted - 150+ hours of capacity building provided 211 metro chicago211 metro chicago launched in january 2023. It is a free 24/7/365 health and social services helpline. Cook county residents can call, text, or use the web chat with a compassionate, local resource navigator to get connected to critical resources such as food, housing, and utility payment assistance. Data collected from the 2-1-1 contact center helps inform cook county residents' greatest needs.211 metro chicago impacts:- in fy25, 211 metro chicago assumed operations for the city of chicago's coordinated entry contact center, supporting households in completing a new homelessness assessment, update an existing one, or maintain an active application within the homeless management information system (hmis).- from january 2023 through june 2025, total system engagementsincluding calls, web sessions, and resource updatesreached 421,026, surpassing previous milestones and reflecting ongoing trust in 211 across cook county.- the top 5 needs across cook county include housing and shelter, utility assistance, access to food, employment, and income assistance - the top 3 city of chicago neighborhoods served are auburn gresham, chatham, and south shore. - the top 3 suburban cook county community areas served are chicago heights/ford heights, calumet city, phoenix/harvey.