Organizations We Fund

United Way works to ensure that every dollar we invest addresses critical community needs and delivers measurable, lasting results.

In other words, we’re not as interested in how many kids attended one of our after school programs; we want to know how many of those kids actually improved their grades, stayed in school and graduated. We’re not as interested in how many people received meals at a soup kitchen; we want to know how many of those people no longer rely on the soup kitchen because they’ve become independent.

From July 1, 2008 to June 30th 2009, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago invested more than $43 million in nearly 700 effective programs at the following agencies across our region.

United Way Funded Agency Programs by Impact Area

United Way is leading a financial stability initiative that brings together community experts to determine the right mix of programs that, together, can give people the opportunity to become financially stable. United Way provides funds to the best programs across the region that collectively offer job training and placement, access to income supports such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and other state and federal benefits for working families. These programs are complemented by educational services that teach people about banking, credit, saving and investment, as well as access to tax preparation services and matched savings programs.

Our partner agencies provide food, shelter, and safety from violence for communities across our region at a time when demand for these services is increasing rapidly. In cooperation with the agencies listed here, we connect people with quality primary care and integrated health services. All of these things ensure a continuum of mental and social supports that bolster long-term health.

Our strategy is to provide a continuum of support throughout a child’s life: early childhood education programs, after-school and summer activities, tutoring, mentoring and community schools. United Way funds innovative approaches and advocates for policies that lead to increased high school graduation rates in our community.