United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
UNITED WAY OF METRO CHICAGO BRINGS TOGETHER AND ACTIVATES PEOPLE, RESOURCES, AND EXPERTISE TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $47.1 million
- Spending
- $48.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 4.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 80%
- Employees
- 169
- Volunteers
- 6,388
- Highest pay
- $435,406, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 25% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2530 of 31 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $10.8 million spent. IMPACT GRANTSFOR MORE THAN 90 YEARS, UNITED WAY OF METRO CHICAGO ("UNITED WAY") HAS MOBILIZED PRIVATE AND PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT, AS WELL AS PUBLIC SECTOR RESOURCES, TO BUILD THRIVING COMMUNITIES. WE INVEST IN ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE REGION TO PROVIDE THE BUILDING BLOCKS TO STABILIZE HOUSEHOLDS AND ACHIEVE COMMUNITY-IDENTIFIED GOALS VIA ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, HOUSING, SAFETY FROM ABUSE, FOOD ASSISTANCE, EARLY LEARNING, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE.UNITED WAY OF METRO CHICAGO GROUNDS ITS GRANTMAKING IN LOCAL DATA, COMMUNITY INPUT, AND INSIGHTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS AND LEADERS WITH DEEP KNOWLEDGE OF COMMUNITY NEEDS. WE FOCUS ON SUPPORTING (SEE SCHEDULE O) HIGH-QUALITY DIRECT SERVICE PROGRAMS THAT RESPOND TO THE MOST PRESSING NEEDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS ACROSS OUR KEY FOCUS AREAS.WE BELIEVE IN A COLLABORATIVE AND COMMUNITY-LED APPROACH TO PHILANTHROPY ONE THAT VALUES THE EXPERTISE OF THOSE DELIVERING SERVICES AND CREATES SPACE FOR ONGOING FEEDBACK, SHARED LEARNING, AND INNOVATION. OUR GRANTS ARE UNRESTRICTED, SO PARTNERS CAN APPLY FUNDING WHERE IT IS NEEDED MOST FROM STAFFING AND SERVICE DELIVERY TO ORGANIZATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND GROWTH. UNITED WAY OF METRO CHICAGO'S ROLE IS NOT ONLY TO FUND BUT ALSO TO SERVE AS A CONNECTOR, CAPACITY BUILDER, AND PARTNER IN ADVANCING COMMUNITY-LED CHANGE.MORE THAN $6 MILLION WAS INVESTED FROM JULY 1, 2024, TO JUNE 30, 2025, TO SUPPORT THE OUTLINED IMPACT GRANT STRATEGIES ACROSS THE CHICAGO REGION.JULY 1, 2024 - JUNE 30, 2025, INVESTMENTS / OUTCOMESUNITED WAY OF METRO CHICAGO ("UNITED WAY") AWARDED IMPACT GRANTS ACCORDING TO THE STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS OUTLINED BELOW. UNITED WAY'S 2024-25 FUNDING SUPPORTED FOUR GRANT STRATEGIES: PLACE-BASED WRAPAROUND SERVICES, PLACE-BASED ISSUE-FOCUSED SERVICES, REGIONWIDE WRAPAROUND SERVICES, AND REGIONWIDE ISSUE-FOCUSED SERVICES. THESE GRANT STRATEGIES EACH EMPLOY DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO ACHIEVING UNITED WAY'S ULTIMATE GOALS OF STABILIZING LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN CRISIS AND BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES.IN ALL UNITED WAY IMPACT GRANTS, WE ARE SEEKING TO ACHIEVE GOALS IN AT LEAST ONE OF OUR FOCUS AREAS:- BASIC NEEDS: THE FOCUS AREA INCLUDES PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, HOUSING, SAFETY FROM ABUSE, FOOD ASSISTANCE, AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT.- EARLY LEARNING: PROVIDING SUPPORT SO THAT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES CAN BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR THE START OF SCHOOL.- WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: PREPARING INDIVIDUALS FOR SUCCESS AND LONG-TERM LIVING WAGE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.SOME OUTCOMES FOR JULY 1, 2024 - JUNE 30, 2025- FOOD SECURITY: 260,000+ MEALS TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY- WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: # 19,000+ INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATED IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS; # 5,000+ INDIVIDUALS WERE PLACED IN LIVING-WAGE JOBS- HEALTH CARE: 24,000+ INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED ONGOING BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES LEADING TO IMPROVEMENT- EDUCATION: # 10,000+ CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN EARLY-LEARNING PROGRAMS; # 92% OF CHILDREN AGES 0-5 IN EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS IMPROVED ACROSS DEVELOPMENTAL DOMAINS, SUCH AS FINE MOTOR SKILLS AND COMMUNICATION
- $15.1 million spent. 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.
- $10.7 million spent. 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.
- $4.4 million spent. 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.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2004.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.