United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 633, Chicago, IL 60654. Founded in 1934, it is one of the largest United Way organizations in the United States. The organization brings together businesses, government, philanthropic, individual, and community leaders to deliver funding and resources while amplifying the expertise of nonprofit organizations across greater Chicago. United Way helps individuals meet their basic needs and works alongside neighborhood partners to address local priorities and create communities where all people can thrive.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$48.8M
-1.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$22.8M
-6.0% YoY
Grant Count
331
+46.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$69K
-35.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: United Way of Metropolitan Chicago brings together businesses, government, philanthropic, individual, and community leaders to deliver funding and resources to and amplify the expertise of nonprofit organizations across greater Chicago. The organization helps individuals meet their basic needs and works alongside neighborhood partners to address local priorities and create communities where all people can thrive.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Access to health care
- Stable housing
- Safety from abuse
- Access to food
- Early learning
- Workforce development
- Legal assistance
- Community-identified goals in neighborhoods across the region
The organization's long-term focus is on rebuilding neighborhoods to be stronger and more equitable, with particular emphasis on addressing the impacts of decades of systemic racism and disinvestment.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$10,000 - $50,000 (varies by program)
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago focuses on the Chicago metropolitan area, including the city and suburbs, with special emphasis on:
- South and West Sides of Chicago
- South suburbs
- Cook, DuPage, Kane, and Lake counties
According to the organization's ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) research, 30% or more of households in Cook, DuPage, Kane, and Lake counties have difficulty meeting their basic needs.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total revenues: $48,290,575
- Total expenses: $51,773,288
- Total assets: $49,451,698
- Total liabilities: $11,400,000
- Number of employees: 143
Historical Context: In 2020, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donated $25 million to United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, serving as recognition of the organization's place-based approach to neighborhood transformation.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $48,777,265 | $49,451,698 | $52,932,266 |
| Revenue | $47,075,947 | $48,290,575 | $46,989,568 |
| Expenses | $48,854,628 | $51,773,288 | $52,996,684 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,676,981 | $1,523,087 | $1,375,198 |
| 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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President & CEO: Sean Garrett
Other Key Executives:
- Ronald Denard: Chief Financial Officer
- Elizabeth Lach: Chief Development Officer
- Jessica Lucas: Senior Director, Community Impact
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEAN GARRETT | PRESIDENT & CEO | 37.5 | $408,461 |
| ELIZABETH LACH - CHIEF | DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (AS OF 09/2024) | 37.5 | $96,700 |
| LINDA T COBERLY | BOARD CHAIR | 4 | — |
| MANUEL FLORES | BOARD TREASURER | 2 | — |
| DAVID BLOWERS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| KEVIN COLE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| WENDELL DALLAS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JEFFREY DEVRON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| PAULETTE DODSON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DEREK DOUGLAS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| KENNETH ESCOE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| BRIDGET GAINER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DARREL HACKETT | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| HANNAH HAYES | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TRAVIS HUNTER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LINDA L IMONTI | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LISA N JOHNSON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DARREN JONES | BOARD MEMBER (THRU 06/2025) | 1 | — |
| KUNAL KAPOOR CFS | BOARD MEMBER (AS OF 06/2025) | 1 | — |
| CARINA MARKEL | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| EDWARD MCGROGAN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| RANDY MEHRBERG | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| EILEEN MITCHELL | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| NEIL MURRAY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ALICIA PONCE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MARK PRINDIVILLE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ROBERT REITER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MARK SKERJAN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ROBERT A SULLIVAN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SCOTT SWANSON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JULIA MORSCH SZNEWAJS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| WOLFE TONE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| RONALD DENARD | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 37.5 | $287,910 |
| KIMBERLEE GUENTHER | CHIEF IMPACT OFFICER | 37.5 | $217,504 |
| KEVIN GRAAN | ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE | 37.5 | $148,464 |
| DEBORAH THORNTON | EA/SECRETARY (THRU 09/24) | 37.5 | $104,226 |
| LISSETTE HUERTAS | EA/SECRETARY (AS OF 10/24) | 37.5 | $75,738 |
| JACQUELYN GRIMES | VP, MARKETING | 37.5 | $183,133 |
| TAMIYA AUREL | CHIEF PEOPLE & CULTURE OFFICER | 37.5 | $191,623 |
| ESTHER FRANCO-PAYNE | EXEC DIRECTOR, PSPC | 37.5 | $185,159 |
| CHRISTOPHER PRESTON | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 37.5 | $179,588 |
| RICHARD LAPLATT | EXEC DIRECTOR, 211 | 37.5 | $158,877 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Chicago BridgeBuilders Fund Cohort 5:** Announced new cohort for the Chicago BridgeBuilders Fund
Announcing Chicago BridgeBuilders Fund Cohort 5 - United Way of Metro Chicago**United Neighborhoods Equity Fund 2025 Grantees:** Announced grantees for 2025 cycle of the equity-focused funding program
Announcing United Neighborhoods Equity Fund 2025 Grantees - United Way of**Response Fund Launch:** Established rapid-response funding mechanism to address urgent community needs
**2025-2026 Campaign Chair:** Kevin Cole announced as Campaign Chair for 2025-2026
Announcing Kevin Cole as 2025-2026 Campaign Chair - United Way of Metro ChicagoContact Information
Address: 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 633, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: (312) 906-2350
Fax: (312) 876-0199
Email:
- Agency services: agencyhelp@liveunitedchicago.org
- Grant/Community Impact inquiries: communityimpact@liveunitedchicago.org
- General donor inquiries: donorhelp@liveunitedchicago.org
Website: www.liveunitedchicago.org
EIN: 30-0200478
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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