United Way of Metropolitan Chicago (UWMC) has operated in the Chicago region for more than 80 years, distributing $28.4 million in grants to 331 organizations in its most recent fiscal year. It runs the 211 Metro Chicago helpline, launched in January 2023, which connects Chicago and Cook County residents to food, housing, mental health, and other social services. In 2020, MacKenzie Scott donated $25 million to UWMC — one of the largest single gifts in the organization's history — as a direct endorsement of its neighborhood-based approach to community change.
UWMC operates primarily as a grant distributor and community convener — bringing together businesses, government agencies, foundations, and community organizations to direct resources toward Chicago's highest-need neighborhoods. In the most recent fiscal year, the organization distributed $28.4 million to 331 grantee organizations. Over the prior two years: 226 grants in 2024, 256 in 2023. The Impact Grants program is currently closed to new applicants; it runs invitation-only for existing partners.
UWMC's ALICE research (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) provides the data foundation for its work. The 2025 ALICE report found that 30% or more of households in Cook, DuPage, Kane, and Lake Counties have difficulty meeting basic needs — a number that reflects the gap between Chicago's economic vitality and the wages earned by the workers who staff its service economy. From 2019 to 2023 alone, the number of households in Cook County living below the ALICE Threshold increased by more than 85,000.
$28.4M distributed to 331 organizations in the most recent fiscal year. Supports nonprofits delivering food, housing, healthcare access, and economic advancement across the Chicago region. Currently closed to new applicants — invitation-only for current partners. Multi-year funding commitments available.
Launched January 2023. Free 24/7 helpline connecting Chicago and Cook County residents to non-emergency social services: food pantries, shelters, legal aid, rental assistance, mental health care, and more. Also serves as a critical link during natural disasters or crises. MacArthur Foundation provided $300,000 to support 211 from 2024–2027.
Place-based community transformation in specific Chicago neighborhoods. North Lawndale joined in 2025 as the latest West Side community. The Austin Neighborhood Network marked a decade of work with the 2024/2025 opening of the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation in the revitalized Emmet Elementary School building.
$250,000 deployed to 10 organizations addressing housing and homelessness prevention across the Chicago region. Designed to quickly get resources to community-based organizations facing urgent and emerging housing needs. Reflects Chicago's ongoing affordable housing crisis.
Year-long leadership development for grassroots and emerging leaders in nonprofits, civic, and government. Includes knowledge enrichment, mentoring, skill-building, and networking with peers and funders. MacArthur Foundation has provided $25,000 (2025) and $150,000 (2022) in support.
Intensive capacity building with DePaul University faculty for organizations with budgets under $1 million serving South and West Sides of Chicago or south suburbs. Application cycle: September–October, kickoff January. Focuses on organizational capacity rather than direct program grants.
In 2020, MacKenzie Scott gave $25 million to UWMC — one of the largest gifts in the organization's history. Scott's giving approach focuses on organizations with proven track records and trust-based relationships with the communities they serve. Her gift to UWMC was described by the organization as a strong endorsement of its place-based approach to neighborhood transformation. UWMC CEO Sean Garrett noted in his statement on equity and justice: "We can't change the history of our city, and how it has shaped the inequities, but we can take responsibility for the future. We also know that our words will not be enough. It's what we do that matters."
Donate at liveunitedchicago.org. UWMC has more than 30,000 donors. Corporate partners include BMO Financial Group, ITW, Northern Trust, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas, and PNC Bank — most run employee giving campaigns that include United Way. Check with your employer's HR department; workplace giving campaigns often include corporate matching, which doubles the impact of employee gifts.
For organizations seeking grants: the Impact Grants program is currently closed to new applicants and runs invitation-only for existing partners. The Emerging Leaders Program for smaller organizations (under $1M budget) serving South and West Sides opens annually in September.
Last updated May 2026. $28.4M grants / 331 organizations from Instrumentl 990 data. 30,000+ donors / Neighborhood Network / $250K housing fund from liveunitedchicago.org. ALICE data from GuideStar profile. 211 Metro Chicago launch date from MacArthur Foundation grant records. MacKenzie Scott $25M from Hinchilla grant database. CEO Sean Garrett equity quote from Hinchilla profile. MacArthur Foundation $300K 211 grant from macfound.org (2024). $25K Community Leadership Fellows grant from macfound.org (2025). EIN from GuideStar. We are not affiliated with UWMC and receive no compensation. Errors: [email protected]