United Way of Champaign County
United Way of Champaign County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Savoy, Illinois. Founded in 1923-24 by the Champaign and Urbana Chambers of Commerce as the Champaign-Urbana Community Chest, the organization has evolved over a century to become a major community philanthropy and volunteer mobilization entity. The organization brings people and resources together to create positive change and lasting impact in Champaign County through grantmaking, volunteer coordination, and community partnership development.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.7M
+24.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.2M
+3.8% YoY
Grant Count
68
+19.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$47K
-13.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: United Way of Champaign County brings people and resources together to create positive change and lasting impact in our community.
Core Values: Leadership, Partnership, Responsiveness, Integrity, and Good Governance (established 2011).
Primary Focus Areas:
- Healthy Community: Improving health and well-being for all
- Youth Opportunity: Helping young people realize their full potential
- Financial Security: Building financial stability and strength
- Community Resiliency: Addressing urgent needs today for a better tomorrow
The organization operates through community impact initiatives that mobilize volunteer resources, provide management assistance to funded programs, and develop alliances and networks to promote public awareness of community needs.
Grantmaking
United Way of Champaign County distributes over $3 million annually to the community through its Community Impact Fund. The organization partners with human service agencies that administer over 50 programs.
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Champaign County?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
United Way of Champaign County serves Champaign County, Illinois. The organization expanded from its original Champaign-Urbana focus in the 1940s to include all of Champaign County.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent (Fiscal Year 2024):
- Total Revenues: $6,590,644
- Total Expenses: $5,140,181
- Total Assets: $9,723,113
- Employees: 15
Additional Support:
- Over 1,400 Pillar donors support programs
- Employees from 200+ businesses contribute
- Over 250 volunteers support organizational work
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,723,113 | $7,786,858 | $6,932,595 |
| Revenue | $6,590,644 | $5,717,408 | $4,355,025 |
| Expenses | $5,140,181 | $5,040,817 | $4,354,980 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $103,420 | $43,094 | $16,351 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
200 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Sue Grey: President & CEO
- Beverley Baker: Chief Impact Officer (appointed as next President & CEO)
- Katie Braemer: Director of Finance
- Javaite Burton: Director of Community Impact
- Emily Neal: Director of Leadership Giving and Engagement
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEWELL WHITE | BOARD CHAIR | 5 | — |
| CAITLIN DRAKE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| KARA JOHNSON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SHMONICA COBB | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DEMOND DADE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MIA HERNANDEZ | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JT BARNHART | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ALMA SEALINE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| STEPHANIE SEAY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SARAH GANTZ | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| RYAN SQUIRE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LUKE SULLIVAN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| KEVIN SAGE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DEMETRIA CANDLER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CHARLES OSBORNE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| STEPHANIE STUART | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ROBERT ROWE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LISA KNEISLEY RECTOR | CHAIR ELECT | 5 | — |
| JENN SMIST | CIC CHAIR | 5 | — |
| MARK WISNIEWSKI | PAST BOARD CHAIR | 5 | — |
| KAYLA BANKS | RD CHAIR | 5 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER WALTON | SECRETARY | 5 | — |
| MICHAEL VITTONE | TREASURER | 5 | — |
| CATHY BAIRD | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $98,500 |
| SUSAN GREY | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 40 | $129,175 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**November 2025:** United Way invested $20,000 to feed local families and challenged the community to match the investment
Community Initiative Grants awarded for shelter, dental care | United Way**October 2025:** Provided resources and support information for families impacted by government shutdown
**Leadership Transition:** Beverley Baker appointed as next President & CEO, succeeding Sue Grey
**Community Resilience Focus:** Announced disaster preparedness initiatives to build community strength
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Green and Blue Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$51K
Above and Beyond Daycare Center
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Primo Center for Women & Children
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$9.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
Rose Lafferty Educational Fund Xxxxx9006
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
1
Total Given
$228K
The John Crerar Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$991K
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
Fostering Success
WAYNE, IL
Assets
$38K
Grants
1
Total Given
$2K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with United Way of Champaign County on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities