United Way in the News
February 3, 2010, Chicago Sun-Times: Fix Illinois’ fiscal mess–now
The state owes the University of Illinois $421 million. It owes its public schools another $564 million. A recent survey by the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago of more than 500 non-profits found that 59 percent were waiting on back payments from the state. Almost a third reported laying off more than 10 percent of their staff.
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The recession has been as tough on foundations’ investments as it has on the average American’s retirement account. The result: stricter and more focused grant-making policies and an under-the-hood peek at investment policies. The article quotes United Way President and CEO, Laura Thrall.
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January 24, 2010, Southtown Star: United Way soon to host Cash 4 Gold Night
South-Southwest Suburban United Way will hold its first-ever Cash 4 Gold Night from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Blue Fox Bar & Grill, 6820 W. 179th St., Tinley Park.
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January 2, 2010, Gazette: Around the Neighborhood
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago accepting applications for Emergency Food and Shelter Program grants from nonprofit organizations.
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December 31, 2009, Deerfield Review: Letter to the Editor by Deb Price, Vice President Community Impact, Board of Directors, United Way of the North Shore
During the month of October, United Way of the North Shore, area food pantries, local businesses, and volunteers combined efforts to help replenish local food pantry shelves.
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December 30, Southtown Star: Charity Briefs
South-Southwest Suburban United Way will host “A Night At The Races” at 5 p.m. March 14 at Balmoral Park, 26435 Dixie Highway in Crete.
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December 6, 2009, Southtown Star, Column: If You Can’t Kill the Needy, Slash Their Funding
…On Thursday, I attended a first-ever human resources summit organized by South-Southwest Suburban United Way and CEDA (Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County).
Attending were representatives from about 50 organizations in the Southland that help the elderly, the disabled, the mentally ill, the homeless and people dealing with alcohol and drug abuse problems.
The main theme seemed to be this: Illinois has cut funding to many of these programs, and state payments for services are 30, 60 or 90 days late…
Read the full article at http://www.southtownstar.com/news/kadner/1922456,120609kadner.article
December 3, 2009, The LakeForester, Letter to the Editor: Lake Bluff Library Lends a Helping Hand
During the month of October, United Way of the North Shore, area food pantries, local businesses, and volunteers combined efforts to help replenish local food pantry shelves. As part of United Way’s Campaign Kick-Off, donated goods were distributed among the New Trier Township and Moraine Township Food Pantries, Hemenway Church and the Salvation Army. The food drive collected more than 2,500 pounds of food and other donated goods, which will help hundreds of North Shore families lacking these basic needs….
Read the complete article here…http://www.pioneerlocal.com/lakeforest/news/1911621,lake-forest-letters-120309-s1.article
November 30, 2009, Crain’s Chicago Business, Letter to the Editor: Applause for biz leaders’ commitment to community
As corporate donors, we all understand philanthropy is tethered to the health of the economy. When business is good, we are able to better support our safety-net services. The reality, however, is that health and human services are needed more when times are tough. This year, charitable donations are down 6%, the sharpest drop in 53 years. And if researchers are correct, it will take at least three years for philanthropy to return to the same levels.
At the helm of supporting the non-profit community is United Way…
Read full letter on United Way’s Web site or
Read full letter on Crain’s Chicago Business (registration may be required)
November 20, 2009, Chicago Tribune: Helpful Hints for Helping Out
Two experts in the field of volunteerism, Sarah Frick, a spokeswoman for United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, and Dary Mien, a United Way program manager of volunteer services were asked to offer advice to those thinking about volunteering.
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago and the Chicago Community Trust, a community foundation, are working to build a database that will track both government and private spending on programs to meet human needs in Illinois. The goal: to allow nonprofit groups, lawmakers, and grant makers to see how the economic downturn has affected giving to specific areas and regions.
The groups are working with help from the state, the city of Chicago, and Deloitte, the consulting firm — which has stationed three people at United Way offices for 10 weeks on a pro bono basis.
Terry Mazany, president of the Chicago Community Trust, says the data will help grant makers see areas where they may want to step in.
State budget cuts, he says, are “not spread like peanut butter” — that is, they hurt some areas more than others. State law guarantees a certain level of services in some areas. But others have faced deep cuts this year — for example, a program that helped older people get access to government benefits like food stamps and Medicaid was eliminated, and the budget for a program that helps them get emergency grants for things like rent or medication was cut by 50 percent.
“The more we understand the pattern of the impact of state budget cuts, the better we are able to align our grant making to deliver essential services,” Mr. Mazany says.
Copyright © 2009 The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Click to view article in Chronicle of Philanthropy page if you have log-in access
November 6, 8, Naperville Sun and Glen Ellyn Sun: Women’s Leadership Council
United Way of the DuPage Area is celebrating the launch of the Women’s Leadership Council with a kickoff luncheon at noon Thursday at College of DuPage.
Read full story in Naperville Sun
Read full story in Glen Ellyn Sun
November 2, 2009, Oak Leaves: With Oak Park bank’s takeover, what happens to community philanthropy?
Park National Bank was seized by the government Friday. Michael Kelly, sole owner of FBOP Corp., which owned Park National is known for his significant charity and community involvement. Denise Brown, chief professional officer of United Way of Oak Park/River Forest, said Kelly’s philanthropy and community involvement was unique. She said Kelly was a “Tocqueville donor” — meaning and individual donor of more than $10,000 per year — and Park National Bank was the group’s top corporate giver.
November 4, 2009, Oak Leaves: With Oak Park bank’s takeover, what happens to community philanthropy?
State governments around the country have cut spending on social services. Illinois agencies on average can expect to receive only 86 percent of the money they received last year from this state. Some agencies are taking a far steeper hit.
At the same time, many charitable organizations have curtailed their contributions to these agencies. The charities just don’t have the money to give, and the organizations are scaling back their work.
Last year, the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago raised $57.5 million, which was $10.5 million short of its goal. Contributions to the Chicago-area United Way have fallen by nearly half since their peak a decade ago. One reason: Some larger companies that helped to lead the campaign consolidated or moved their headquarters from Chicago.
All that hits home. State government is the largest contributor to health and human services programs here. United Way is the second-largest contributor.
But the need is growing. Unemployment in Illinois stands at 10.5 percent, the highest in 26 years. Home foreclosures have soared. Some food pantries report demand is surging by 35 percent or more, sometimes outstripping dwindling supplies.
Yes, this is a plea to contribute to the United Way campaign. Now please keep reading.
Mindful of the fall in contributions, United Way in Chicago has been changing. It focuses its resources on three vital areas: cutting the high school dropout rate and improving the health and financial stability of lower-income families.
United Way is making sure your money is well-spent, that the agencies who get your money deliver results. And United Way has done that while keeping its administrative overhead costs — 14 percent of total revenues — lower than some other large charities.
You can go into almost any struggling neighborhood in the Chicago area and find United Way money at work.
Helping kids stay in school. Helping families find affordable housing and apartments. Supporting food pantries and day care. Helping seniors who live alone remain as independent as possible. Supporting agencies that provide safe houses, counseling and legal support for survivors of domestic violence. Providing food and shelter to the homeless.
There are thousands of people in the city and suburbs who have lost their jobs, their homes. Thousands of people who have trouble putting meals on the table.
They need your help.
When you give to the United Way, you’re giving to your community. There is a crisis. Please give what you can, and then think about doing just a little bit more.
October 24, 2009, ABC 7 News: CPS After-School Program Receives High Marks
A United Way-sponsored report card of 10 Chicago public schools shows the group’s after-school program has improved graduation levels and reduced truancy over the past five years.
Community Unit School District 300 staff and the Northwest Suburban United Way kicked off the annual D300 Charitable Giving Campaign last week. This year’s campaign, focused on organizations serving D300 students, runs through Oct. 23.
October 16, 2009, Lake Forester: United Way extends food pantry collections
The United Way of the North Shore, area food pantries, local businesses and volunteers have combined efforts to help residents in need by replenishing local food pantry shortages. As part of United Way’s campaign kick-off, local drop-off sites have been established for donated goods.
October 18, 2009, Chicago Tribune: Chicago Bears take wraps off a new fitness center for North Chicago High School
Veteran defensive tackle Israel Idonije and the team’s rookies, including wide receiver Johnny Knox, opened a new 4,000-square-foot fitness and athletic training facility last week at North Chicago High School. They also offered some fitness pointers. The school was selected as the 2009 recipient of the Bears/United Way Hometown Huddle project, resulting in the donation of the facility, which features 10 strengthening machines and seven cardiovascular machines from Life Fitness.
October 9, 2009, Chicago Sun-Times: Daley Plan to Combat Violence Includes More Cops, Money
Mayor Daley threw more money and police bodies at the daunting teen violence problem on Chicago streets that’s destroying another generation of young people. The mayor’s latest plan includes: Forging a new partnership with the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago to place 100 students in short-term jobs in impoverished communities.
October 8, 2009, Laura Thrall appears on “Making a Difference” on BlogTalkRadio
October 8, 2009, CBS Channel 2: Local Program Uses Mentors to Reduce Violence
One community is coping with violence in their neighborhood by taking part in the United Way African American Initiative, a three year old mentoring program created by Metropolitan Family Services and funded by the United Way.
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Monday, October 5, 2009, Chicago Tribune Voice of the People: Violence that plagues our youth
In a Letter to the Editor, Richard L. Jones, president of Metropolitan Family Services reacts to the recent beating death of Fenger High School student Derrion Alberts. He calls for more programs that support African American youth, like the United Way African American Initiative.
Monday, October 5, 2009, Southtown Star: Parents Roundtable Set for Tuesday
The Parents Roundtable, sponsored by The Bridge Teen Center and United Way, is planned for 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Jane Barnes Annex of the Orland Park Civic Center, 14750 Ravinia Ave.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009: Medill Reports: Illinois experiments with service info line for people in crisis
You probably know to call 911 for emergencies and 311 for city information. But what’s the 411 on a new 211 number Illinois is considering to implement statewide? The 211 number is a service started in 1999 by an Atlanta-based United Way call center, which connects callers with a database of community resources, from career centers to homeless shelters. Illinois, one of the last states to begin offering the service, is planning to expand the three 211 …
Monday, September 14, 2009: The Daily Herald: Your community needs you to step up
It’s no secret that philanthropic gifts are down, layoffs continue and organizations like Elk Grove’s Kenneth Young Center struggle to serve more people in need with fewer resources.
WGN Around Town, Sept. 1, 2009:
More than 400 local residents received groceries at the McCormick Tribune YMCA September 1, 2009 as part of United Way of Metro Chicago’s Days of Caring. Around Town at Greater Chicago Food Depository
Crain’s Chicago Business, “The Merger Wave that Never Broke” Aug. 24, 2009:
In tough economy it was predicted that many nonprofits across the country would merge to save money. The merger of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago is touted one the few successful nonprofit mergers. http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?id=32327
Crain’s Chicago Business, “United Way Execs Talk Transparency” Aug. 24:
Wendy DuBoe, chief community investment officer and Lorrie Lynn, director of research, planning and education for United Way talk about how United Way partner agencies are required to measure results and outcomes so they can give donors a better sense of where their money is being invested. http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?id=32328&seenIt=1
Southtown Star, “United Way dance, music contest today” Aug. 23, 2009:
An announcement on the South-Southwest Suburban United Way’s Dance 4DA Common Good rap, dance and singing contest for Southland teens. Proceeds will benefit the South-Southwest Suburban United Way Live United Clubs for kids. http://www.southtownstar.com/neighborhoodstar/matteson/1730716,082309MRdontmiss.article
Multiple reports on 2-1-1 Signing, Aug. 21, 2009:
Governor Pat Quinn signed the 2-1-1 Service Act to advance the development and implementation of a health and human services help line for the people of Illinois. The bill-signing was held at United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, which was instrumental in bringing this service to the state of Illinois. See coverage on: ABC 7 http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/health&id=6976287
Crain’s Chicago Business, “Top 10 Things to Do This Weekend” Aug. 21, 2009:
Column featured the Northwest Suburban United Way’s Day at the Races at Arlington Race Track among the weekend’s must-dos. http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=35191
WREX TV in Rockford http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=10972506
Chicago Tribune: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-healthhotline,0,383062.story
WBBM Radio http://www.wbbm780.com/pages/5054737.php
WBEZ Radio http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Content.aspx?audioID=36313
