United Way of Central Illinois Inc
United Way of Central Illinois Inc is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Springfield, Illinois, serving Sangamon and Menard counties. Established in 1922 as the Chamber of Commerce's Community Chest initiative, the organization evolved through several name changes—including Springfield Council of Social Agencies, Associated Welfare Agencies, Springfield Community Chest, and War Fund Council—before adopting its current name. The organization functions as a federated giving program and community fund that mobilizes human and financial capital to address community challenges through collaborative solutions.
Key facts about United Way of Central Illinois Inc
- EIN
- 37-0716060
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,039,674
- Grants made (2024)
- 29
- Average grant
- $35,851
- Median grant
- $35,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 18, 2024)
- Total assets
- $8,469,235
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who United Way of Central Illinois Inc funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for United Way of Central Illinois Inc's 29 itemized 2024 grants were Illinois (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Springfield, IL (29 grants). None of its 29 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support.
Is United Way of Central Illinois Inc open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 18 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. How we count
- 94% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+1%). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with United Way of Central Illinois Inc
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.5M
-0.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.0M
+0.0% YoY
Grant Count
29
+7.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$36K
-6.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: United Way mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive. The organization recognizes how communities' greatest challenges are interconnected and brings people and resources together to address them.
Vision: To create an engaging and welcoming experience to empower the community, build trust and show gratitude, working toward a future where every person in every community can reach their full potential.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Healthy Communities
- Youth Opportunity
- Community Resiliency
- Financial Security
- Basic needs protection for vulnerable community members
Specific Program Areas:
- Education: Programs addressing high-quality early childhood education access, on-time achievement, social-emotional development, and supports for students to graduate with a plan for the future
- Financial Stability: Programs providing education, skills, and support for individuals and families to lead financially stable lives, including safe and affordable housing, employment opportunities, financial literacy, and senior independence support
- Basic Needs: Community fund-supported programs addressing immediate needs of vulnerable populations
- Health: Programs designed to inspire community health by addressing access to care issues
Grantmaking
United Way of Central Illinois functions as a community fund distributing grants to health and human services programs. The organization describes itself as the largest private funder of health and human services in the region. Specific grant sizes, application deadlines, and detailed application procedures are not detailed in available sources.
Grant Range
s, application deadlines, and detailed application procedures are not detailed in available sources.
Review Cycle
, and detailed application procedures are not detailed in available sources.
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Central Illinois Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
United Way of Central Illinois serves Sangamon and Menard counties in central Illinois, with headquarters in Springfield.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 29 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2023 (Most Recent):
- Total Revenue: $2,121,159
- Total Expenses: $2,126,829
- Total Assets: $8,482,688
- Net Assets: $7,753,571
Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Revenue: $1,909,803
- Total Expenses: $2,188,693
- Net Income: -$278,890
- Total Assets: $8,469,235
- Total Liabilities: $715,664
Revenue Composition (FY2024):
- Contributions: $1,441,993 (75.5%)
- Investment Income: $177,023 (9.3%)
- Sales of Assets: $193,282 (10.1%)
- Program Services: $67,115 (3.5%)
- Net Fundraising: $30,390 (1.6%)
Expense Breakdown (FY2024):
- Other Salaries and Wages: $439,524 (20.1%)
- Executive Compensation: $148,982 (6.8%)
Staffing: 10 employees (as of 2023), with approximately 745 volunteers
Tax-Exempt Status: 501(c)(3) public charity; tax-exempt since March 1942
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,469,235 | $8,482,688 | $8,269,663 |
| Revenue | $1,909,803 | $2,121,159 | $2,790,259 |
| Expenses | $2,188,693 | $2,126,829 | $2,093,515 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $370,305 | $455,726 | $746,003 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
167 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from United Way of Central Illinois Inc
Community Fund
United Way of Central Illinois Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP)
United Way of Central Illinois Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Emergency Fund
United Way of Central Illinois Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Compass for Kids Inc ($168,024 across 2 grants), Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois ($102,346 across 2 grants), Senior Services of Central Illinois ($93,720 across 3 grants).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| COMPASS FOR KIDS INC Springfield, IL | CAMP COMPASS - A SUMMER PROGRAM FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN FOR HOMLESS AND LOW-INCOME | $93,804 |
| COMPASS FOR KIDS INC Springfield, IL | CLUB COMPASS - A FREE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS AND LOW INCOME ELEMENTARY STUDENTS | $74,220 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS Springfield, IL | COMPREHENSIVE MENTORING - SERVICE INCLUDES SCHOOL BASED MENTORING AND COMMUNITY BASED | $57,346 |
| SOJOURN SHELTER AND SERVICES Springfield, IL | ADULT AND CHILDREN EMERGENCY SHELTER AND PROVISIONS | $50,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS Springfield, IL | PROJECT LEARN - AN OUT OF SCHOOL TIME EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT AIME AS BRIDGING THE GAP | $50,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD Springfield, IL | ST. JOHN'S BREADLINE PROVIDES FREE, WELL BALANCED, NUTRITIOUS MEALS 365 DAYS A YEAR | $48,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS Springfield, IL | MENTOR 2.0 | $45,000 |
| SIU CENTER FOR FAMILY MEDICINE Springfield, IL | COMMUNITY INTEGRATED RESPONSE CONNECTION LEVERAGING | $45,000 |
| HELPING HANDS OF SPRINGFIELD INC Springfield, IL | EMERGENCY SHELTER | $43,079 |
| SENIOR SERVICES OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS Springfield, IL | COMPREHENSIVE ELDER ASSIST - PROVIDES SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT AND REHABILITATION | $41,220 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President and CEO: Marne Fauser
Board Chair (2026-2027): Nikki Monari (Springfield Police Department)
Finance Leadership: Kalee Johnstone, Director of Finance & Administration
Board Members: The organization maintains a 28-member governing body with 28 independent voting members, including representatives from Hospital Sisters Health System, Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, BUNN, Lincoln Land Community College, Brown Hay + Stephens, Prairie State Bank & Trust, Hanson Professional Services, PNC Bank, Bank of Springfield, Hickory Point Bank, Horace Mann, and Springfield Public Schools District 186, among others.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tammy Gilchrese | Chair Elect/Chair | 1 | — |
| Amy Beadle | Chair/Past Chair | 1 | — |
| Nick Gentile | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Penny McCarty | Director/Chair Elect | 1 | — |
| Evan Davis | Past Chair/Director | 1 | — |
| Phil Capps | Director | 1 | — |
| Jon Erickson | Director | 1 | — |
| Lashonda Fitch | Director | 1 | — |
| Bryan Gleckler | Director | 1 | — |
| Janet Gooch | Director | 1 | — |
| Brandi Goodin | Director | 1 | — |
| Steve Hewell | Director | 1 | — |
| Carol Jessup | Director | 1 | — |
| Aaron Johnston | Director | 1 | — |
| Greg Lutchka | Director | 1 | — |
| Frank Lynch | Director | 1 | — |
| Rabbi Barry Marks | Director | 1 | — |
| Nikki Monari | Director | 1 | — |
| Jackie Newman | Director | 1 | — |
| Christine Novaria | Director | 1 | — |
| Sarah Sevener | Director | 1 | — |
| Rob Waller | Director | 1 | — |
| Mylas Copeland | Director | 1 | — |
| Kelley Himmelberg | Director | 1 | — |
| Beth Smith | Director | 1 | — |
| Randy Bryant | Director | 1 | — |
| Jeff Raes | Director | 1 | — |
| Sister Marilyn Ruenkel | Director | 1 | — |
| Marne Fauser | Presdient and CEO | 45 | $129,977 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does United Way of Central Illinois Inc fund?
**Mission:** United Way mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive. The organization recognizes how communities' greatest challenges are interconnected and brings people and resources together to address them. **Vision:** To create an engaging and welcoming experience to empower the community, build trust and show gratitude, working toward a future where every person in every community can reach their full potential. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Healthy Communities • Youth Opportunity • Co…
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Central Illinois Inc?
United Way of Central Illinois functions as a community fund distributing grants to health and human services programs. The organization describes itself as the largest private funder of health and human services in the region. Specific grant sizes, application deadlines, and detailed application procedures are not detailed in available sources.
Where does United Way of Central Illinois Inc make grants?
United Way of Central Illinois serves Sangamon and Menard counties in central Illinois, with headquarters in Springfield.
What size grants does United Way of Central Illinois Inc award?
In 2024, United Way of Central Illinois Inc awarded 29 grants totaling $1.0M — an average of about $36K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is United Way of Central Illinois Inc's EIN?
United Way of Central Illinois Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 37-0716060. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.