United Way of Kankakee County Inc
United Way of Kankakee County Inc is a public charity based in Kankakee, Illinois. It funds local programs intended to improve education, health, and economic mobility in Kankakee and Iroquois Counties through its Community Investment Fund.
United Way of Kankakee County Inc at a glance
In short: United Way of Kankakee County Inc gave $194K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $16K), mostly in Illinois. 25% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $193,647
- +33.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- +9.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $16,137
- +22.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $13,419
- Total assets
- $871,789
- -4.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (3 of 12, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to United Way of Kankakee County Inc
- How to Apply
-
The website describes an application review process involving volunteer evaluations and, when possible, program site visits. The stated requirements include financial and organizational materials described above.
- Review Cycle
- January 30, 2026, for the listed cycle. This deadline has passed.
- Deadline
- January 30, 2026, for the listed cycle.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 1286, Kankakee, IL 60901
Phone: (815) 932-7476
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who United Way of Kankakee County Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Catholic Charities ($33K). Together the top 10 received $175K.
Grant Size Distribution
62 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 62 grants of 62 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization is based in Kankakee, Illinois. Its Impact Grants program serves organizations operating in Kankakee and/or Iroquois Counties, Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is United Way of Kankakee County Inc open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 12 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $19K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $14K repeat.
- 67% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+1%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $145K (2024) to $469K (2019). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $194K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Catholic Charities Joliet, IL | General Aid | $32,500 |
| Helen Wheeler Center for Comm Kankakee, IL | General Aid | $28,400 |
| Clove Alliance Kankakee, IL | General Aid | $28,300 |
| Child Network Kankakee, IL | General Aid | $20,400 |
| Center of Hope Kankakee, IL | General Aid | $13,700 |
| Iroqouis Mental Health Kankakee, IL | General Aid | $13,700 |
| Various Entities Kankakee, IL | General Aid | $13,137 |
| Options CIL-Iroquois Pembroke Townsh, IL | General Aid | $12,800 |
| Path Inc Bourbonnais, IL | General Aid | $10,610 |
| UCP Bourbonnais, IL | General Aid | $9,800 |
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Kankakee County Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $871,789 | $415,933 | $471,297 | $193,647 | 12 | $30,551 |
| 2024 | $912,732 | $560,930 | $446,518 | $145,025 | 11 | $19,860 |
| 2023 | $803,314 | $403,940 | $406,512 | $163,798 | 13 | $5,810 |
| 2022 | $793,295 | $434,397 | $477,897 | $191,734 | 14 | $3,206 |
| 2021 | $865,971 | $445,235 | $386,555 | $160,108 | 12 | $17,159 |
| 2020 | $819,081 | $541,910 | $496,422 | $331,174 | 18 | $7,539 |
| 2019 | $732,627 | $616,928 | $660,154 | $469,105 | 18 | $1,013 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission, as stated on its 2023 filing, is to improve the quality of life for people in Kankakee County by raising and distributing funds, mobilizing community resources, and encouraging solutions to health and human-service needs. Its website describes its broader focus as education, health, and financial stability.
The Impact Grants program supports work in education, health, and economic mobility. Listed areas include early childhood development, school readiness and success, post-graduation preparation and career readiness, health equity, healthy beginnings, trauma and resilience, behavioral health, food security, adult post-secondary education, financial literacy, and stable housing. The organization says programs addressing stable housing may receive more consideration starting in 2026.
Its listed partners include organizations working in areas such as behavioral health, food security, housing, and education. Among the grantees documented for 2022, Easter Seals described its own mission as empowering people to thrive through services for children and adults with disabilities, older adults, veterans, and their families. Fortitude Community Outreach described its work as emergency overnight shelter, homeless street outreach, and supportive housing.
Grantmaking
The organization’s website says Impact Grants are funded through its Community Investment Fund, supported by community members and businesses. It describes grant review by community volunteers, with recommendations reviewed by the Community Impact Committee and submitted to the Board for final approval. Volunteers may review applications, visit program sites, and assess financial documents and fiscal health.
The available IRS filing data lists zero grants for each of 2023, 2024, and 2025. Separately, 2022 support records list $10,700 for Easter Seals Inc and $8,200 for Fortitude Community Outreach. The available information does not establish a typical grant size.
Applicants must operate and provide services in Kankakee and/or Iroquois Counties; qualify as a human-service organization or a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3); provide a completed financial audit or letter of financial review; submit federal Form 990 and Illinois Form 990AG; maintain an annual operating budget; and have an active local board of unpaid volunteers that meets at least quarterly. The website lists political programs and programs limited solely to members of a particular religious group among ineligible requests. It says religiously affiliated organizations may receive funding only when grant funds are clearly not used for religious activities. It also excludes organizations existing solely to present cultural or artistic achievements and providers offering only direct medical services, while allowing supportive or ancillary health services for specific client populations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Brooke Barnes (Development Chair), Meredith Purcell (Community Impact Chair), Tami Galbreath (Woman United Chair), and directors Dan Komer, Justin Bruno, Marci Sadler, Raul Torres, Yvette Rose, Kira Ebert, and Dr. James Duggan. The organization’s website lists Mariah Vail as Executive Director, Melina Pizano as Development Manager, and Tammy Marcotte as Community Navigator.
United Way of Kankakee County Inc is led by Mariah Vail, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; none of the 16 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mariah Vail
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$56K (2024) → $0 (2025)
Larry Burton
President
Director → President, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Gavin
Incoming President
Director → Treasurer, 2024
Treasurer → Incoming President, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brooke Barnes
Develop. Chair
Director → Develop. Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adam Elroy
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Komer
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin Bruno
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marci Sadler
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Raul Torres
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Duggan
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kira Ebert
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yvette Rose
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Meredith Purcell
Committee Impact Ch
Director → Committee Impact Ch, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tami Galbreath
Woman United Ch
Director → Woman United Ch, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Viall-Lorand
Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Ascher
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (40)
- Former: Mike O'Brien (2020–2024) — Past President
- Former: Jakob Knox (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Jasmyne Humble (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Peggy Sue Muday (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Sarah Viall (2023–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Abner Garcia-Delgado (2024) — Director
- Former: Alexandra Henshaw (2024) — Director
- Former: Amber Residori (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Genevra Walters (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: John Keigher (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Kevin Hack (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Kris Harms (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Kyle Benoit (2019–2023) — Past President
- Former: Mileen Joines (2019–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Sarah Marion (2019–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Amanda Martinez (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Kathy Peterson (2021–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Kent Wade (2023) — Director
- Former: Monica Pizano (2023) — Director
- Former: Al Swinford (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Maureen Powell (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Tim Jones (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Jose Da Silva (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Kerstin Rust (2021–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Lauren Sztuba (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Linh Williams (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Barbi Brewer-Watson (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Becky Wilder (2020) — Director
- Former: Chad Starr (2020) — Executive Committee
- Former: Jenny Schoenwetter (2020) — Director
- Former: Julie Simpkins (2020) — Director
- Former: Margaret Prosser (2020) — Director
- Former: Myra Wilkins (2020) — Director
- Former: Sara Regnier (2020) — Director
- Former: Scott Snavely (2020) — Executive Committee
- Former: Sheri Cagle (2020) — Executive Committee
- Former: Kathleen Peterson (2019) — Secretary
- Former: Laura Sztuba (2019) — Director
- Former: Michael Boyd (2019) — Director
- Former: Mileen O'Brien (2019) — Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $56K, to Mariah Vail (Executive Dir.).
Frequently asked questions about United Way of Kankakee County Inc
How much does United Way of Kankakee County Inc give each year?
United Way of Kankakee County Inc gave $194K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $145K across 11 grants.
What is United Way of Kankakee County Inc's typical grant size?
United Way of Kankakee County Inc's median grant in 2025 was $13,419, and its average grant was $16,137, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of Kankakee County Inc that year got $7K on average.
Where does United Way of Kankakee County Inc give grants?
United Way of Kankakee County Inc gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Kankakee, IL (8 grants) and Bourbonnais, IL (2 grants).
Does United Way of Kankakee County Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of United Way of Kankakee County Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (12 of 12) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are United Way of Kankakee County Inc's largest grantees?
United Way of Kankakee County Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Catholic Charities ($32,500), Helen Wheeler Center for Comm ($28,400) and Clove Alliance ($28,300), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 46% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of Kankakee County Inc?
United Way of Kankakee County Inc reported $872K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $416K.
What does United Way of Kankakee County Inc fund?
The organization’s mission, as stated on its 2023 filing, is to improve the quality of life for people in Kankakee County by raising and distributing funds, mobilizing community resources, and encouraging solutions to health and human-service needs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Kankakee County Inc?
The website describes an application review process involving volunteer evaluations and, when possible, program site visits. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is United Way of Kankakee County Inc's EIN?
United Way of Kankakee County Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-2188452. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 27, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 17, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS December 31, 2019)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 23, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 30, 2023)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of Kankakee County Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Thomas & Maureen Oconnor Family Foundation
Bourbonnais, IL
The foundation supports education, religious organizations, and charitable and community services, primarily in Illinois. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $40,000, with a median of $3,000. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.4M
Grants
37
Total Given
$227K
Iroquois Federal Foundation Inc
Watseka, IL
The foundation supports charitable and community-service organizations, with 2025 grants backing healthcare, economic development, youth programs, education, emergency shelter, and community events. Its 83 grants ranged from $250 to $55,000, with a median of $1,000, and went primarily to Illinois organizations. It requires a complete grant application and lists March 31 and September 30 deadlines; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$5.4M
Grants
83
Total Given
$263K
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
Independent Insurance Agents of Eva
Evansville, IN
Assets
$53K
Grants
4
Total Given
$19K
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United Way of Kankakee County Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-kankakee-county-inc-morg_d4c9c41afe114e938a5423b07f541d88
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_362188452_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Way of Kankakee County Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-kankakee-county-inc-morg_d4c9c41afe114e938a5423b07f541d88},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Kankakee County Inc'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 Kankakee County Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?