United Way of Champaign County
United Way of Champaign County is a public charity based in Savoy, Illinois. It brings people and resources together to create positive change and lasting impact in the community, including through grants to local programs and partnerships addressing community needs.
United Way of Champaign County at a glance
In short: United Way of Champaign County gave $3.2M across 76 grants in 2025 (avg $42K), mostly in Illinois. 20% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,186,837
- -1.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 76
- +11.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $41,932
- -11.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $10,215,862
- +5.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (15 of 76, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to United Way of Champaign County
- How to Apply
-
The organization describes a competitive application process for Community Impact Grants. It also lists a 2026 Equity Fund rolling grant opportunity for small nonprofits, grassroots organizations, and community-led programs based in Champaign County and serving marginalized communities. The Equity Fund’s stated application opening date was September 14, 2026, and applications are to be reviewed and funded on a rolling basis until the $10,000 in available funds is awarded. Awards are listed at $500–$2,000; the opportunity supports programmatic or capacity-building needs.
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Contact
Mailing address: 5 Dunlap Ct, Savoy, IL 61874
Phone: (217) 352-5151
Website: https://unitedwaychampaign.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who United Way of Champaign County funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club ($205K). Together the top 10 received $1.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
305 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 207 grants of 305 (68%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s grant guidelines require Community Impact Grant applicants to serve clients in Champaign County, Illinois. The 2025 filing reports that 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois; listed recipients were also located in Missouri, Iowa, and Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 76 itemized grants.
Cities
Is United Way of Champaign County open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 15 of 76 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $22K; repeat grants $47K. How we count
Medians: $21K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.5M (2022) to $3.2M (2024). In 2025 it made 76 grants totaling $3.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club Champaign, IL | Undesignated and program restricted funds to further organization's exempt purpose | $204,742 |
| Heart of Illinois United Way Peoria, IL | Undesignated and program restricted funds to further organization's exempt purpose | $195,268 |
| Crisis Nursery Urbana, IL | Undesignated and program restricted funds to further organization's exempt purpose | $185,931 |
| Eastern Illinois Foodbank Urbana, IL | Undesignated and program restricted funds to further organization's exempt purpose | $147,254 |
| Dreaam House Champaign, IL | Undesignated and program restricted funds to further organization's exempt purpose | $138,171 |
| Races - Rape Advocacy Counseling Education and Services Urbana, IL | Undesignated and program restricted funds to further organization's exempt purpose | $131,120 |
| Champaign County Chamber of Commerce Champaign, IL | Undesignated and program restricted funds to further organization's exempt purpose | $130,395 |
| Carle Foundation Hospital - Health Beginnings Urbana, IL | Undesignated and program restricted funds to further organization's exempt purpose | $120,250 |
| Developmental Services Center Champaign, IL | Undesignated and program restricted funds to further organization's exempt purpose | $118,922 |
| Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Champaign, IL | Undesignated and program restricted funds to further organization's exempt purpose | $89,982 |
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Champaign County?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $10,215,862 | $5,264,772 | $5,018,841 | $3,186,837 | 76 | $64,773 |
| 2024 | $9,723,113 | $6,590,644 | $5,140,181 | $3,229,636 | 68 | $103,420 |
| 2023 | $7,786,858 | $5,717,408 | $5,040,817 | $3,110,785 | 57 | $43,094 |
| 2022 | $6,932,595 | $4,355,025 | $4,354,980 | $2,478,236 | 50 | $16,351 |
| 2021 | $7,001,631 | $4,508,618 | $4,665,556 | $2,768,332 | 54 | $19,296 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to bring people and resources together to create positive change and lasting impact in the community. Its website says its work advances health, expands youth opportunities, and builds financial security, with four impact areas: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency.
The 2025 grants include support for organizations with varied missions. Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club says it provides youth with diverse programming in a nurturing environment; Crisis Nursery describes its work as preventing child abuse and neglect while supporting families in crisis; and Eastern Illinois Foodbank says it alleviates hunger through a network of food pantries and agencies. Other recipients include DREAAM Opportunity Center, which says it supports boys and young men through transformative experiences, and Rape Advocacy Counseling & Education, which says it supports people affected by sexual trauma and provides prevention education.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, United Way reported 76 grants totaling $3,186,837. Grants ranged from $5,342 to $204,742, with a median of $25,000. The largest awards included $204,742 to Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club, $195,268 to Heart of Illinois United Way, $185,931 to Crisis Nursery, $147,254 to Eastern Illinois Foodbank, and $138,171 to DREAAM Opportunity Center. The filing describes these awards as undesignated and program-restricted funds to further each recipient’s exempt purpose.
The Community Impact Grant process includes an information session, an application, review by volunteers and experts, a committee recommendation, and Board approval. Awarded programs sign a contract; grants are typically for one to two years. Applicants must serve clients in Champaign County, have an active Board and nondiscrimination policies, and be able to track and report measurable outcomes. Applicants submit agency and program budgets, a Board list and meeting dates, financial documentation, and proof of nonprofit status or a fiscal sponsor. The website says grants support programs, not general operating expenses. It excludes requests for individuals, political causes, capital campaigns, endowments, marketing opportunities, event fundraisers, and sports. Faith-based programs may be eligible if access to services is not conditioned on religious participation.
The 2025 guidelines require an independent audit for agencies with revenue of $500,000 or more; agencies below that threshold may provide an audit, financial review, or current financial statements and income statement. A separate website summary gives a different audit threshold, so applicants should confirm the applicable financial documentation requirements with the organization.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Lisa Kneisley Rector as Board Chair, Jewell White as Past Board Chair, Luke Sullivan as Chair Elect, Michael Vittone as Treasurer, and Christopher Walton as Secretary. It also lists Jenn Smist as CIC Chair, Kayla Banks as RD Chair, and JT Barnhart, Demetria Candler, and Shmonica Cobb as Board Members.
The organization’s website lists Beverley Baker as President & CEO, Katie Braemer as Director of Finance, Javaite Burton as Director of Community Impact, Emily Neal as Director of Leadership Giving, and Sarah Buckman as Director of Marketing & Communications.
United Way of Champaign County is led by Susan Grey, President & CEO on every filing since 2024; 4 of 30 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Susan Grey
President & CEO
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$129K (2024) → $131K (2025)
Kayla Banks
Rd Chair
Board Member → Rd Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Kneisley Rector
Board Chair
Rd Chair → Chair Elect, 2024
Chair Elect → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jenn Smist
Cic Chair
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katie Braemer
Director of Finance
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$52K (2025)
Beverly Baker
Chief Impact Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$79K (2025)
Rebecca Guyette
Chief Development Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$102K (2025)
Demetria Candler
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jewell White
Past Board Chair
Chair Elect → Board Chair, 2024
Board Chair → Past Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kara Johnson
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Luke Sullivan
Chair Elect
Board Member → Chair Elect, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Vittone
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Rowe
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Stuart
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Osborne
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Walton
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Seay
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Demond Dade
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jt Barnhart
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mia Hernandez
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Squire
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alma Sealine
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Sage
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shmonica Cobb
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Quarnstrom
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beth Dubson
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dale Wright
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deanna Capel
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Sutton
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Sandquist
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (25)
- Former: Caitlin Drake (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Cathy A. Baird (2021–2024) — Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Mark Wisniewski (2021–2024) — Past Board Chair
- Former: Sarah Gantz (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Carrie Eisenmenger (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Sheri McKiernan (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Sue Grey (2021–2023) — President & CEO
- Former: Warren McCauley (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Garrett Jones (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Denise Poindexter (2023) — Dei Chair
- Former: Chris Evangelisti (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: John Kluth (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Julie Dorner (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Martin O'Donnell (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Sarah Zehr (2021–2022) — Chair
- Former: Valena Claiborne (2021–2022) — Dei Chair
- Former: Brenda Hurns (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Charles Randy Hulett (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Barb Harrington (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Cheryl Barringer (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Greg Anderson (2021) — Past Chair
- Former: Josh Mirowski (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Justin Spring (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Scott Williamson (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Sharon Rachal (2021) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $131K, to Susan Grey (President and CEO). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about United Way of Champaign County
How much does United Way of Champaign County give each year?
United Way of Champaign County gave $3.2M across 76 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.2M across 68 grants.
What is United Way of Champaign County's typical grant size?
United Way of Champaign County's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $41,932, across 76 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of Champaign County that year got $22K on average.
Where does United Way of Champaign County give grants?
United Way of Champaign County gives mostly in Illinois: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Champaign, IL (35 grants), Urbana, IL (12 grants), Bloomington, IL (4 grants) and Peoria, IL (3 grants).
Does United Way of Champaign County give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 76 grants with a stated purpose on United Way of Champaign County's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are United Way of Champaign County's largest grantees?
United Way of Champaign County's largest 2025 grantees include Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club ($204,742), Heart of Illinois United Way ($195,268) and Crisis Nursery ($185,931), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of Champaign County?
United Way of Champaign County reported $10.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.3M.
What does United Way of Champaign County fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to bring people and resources together to create positive change and lasting impact in the community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Champaign County?
The organization describes a competitive application process for Community Impact Grants. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is United Way of Champaign County's EIN?
United Way of Champaign County's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 37-0662519. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 20, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS January 27, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of Champaign County's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United Way of Champaign County funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 6, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-champaign-county-morg_2e7f711b4f4c4a97a1814d7af9f2f439
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_370662519_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Way of Champaign County funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-champaign-county-morg_2e7f711b4f4c4a97a1814d7af9f2f439},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-06. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from United Way of Champaign County's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
United Way of Champaign County down — hundreds of funders to go?