United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc is a public charity based in Chicago, Illinois. It brings together businesses, government, nonprofits, and community leaders to direct funding, resources, and expertise to organizations across greater Chicago. Its work includes supporting services that help individuals and families meet basic needs and partnering with neighborhoods on community-identified priorities.
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc at a glance
In short: United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc gave $22.8M across 331 grants in 2025 (avg $69K), mostly in Illinois. 39% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $22,795,927
- -6.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 331
- +46.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $68,870
- -35.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $48,777,265
- -1.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 39% first-time grantees (129 of 331, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (97% 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 Metropolitan Chicago Inc
- How to Apply
-
The described 2026 Impact Grants cycle was limited to current partners; the Chicago BridgeBuilders Fund’s 2026–2027 cohort 5 application is closed. No current application process for new applicants is stated.
- Contact
Mailing address: 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza 633, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: (312) 906-2350
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc
Who United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Metropolitan Family Services ($2.0M). Together the top 10 received $9.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,447 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,022 grants of 1,447 (71%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization works across greater Chicago. In 2025, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois and 3% to recipients in California. Its Neighborhood Networks include 17 neighborhoods in Chicago and the suburbs, among them Auburn Gresham, Austin, Brighton Park, Englewood, Evanston, and West Chicago. The Chicago BridgeBuilders Fund focuses on organizations serving the city’s South and West Sides and the south suburbs.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 331 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc open to new grantees?
39%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 129 of 331 grantees (39%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $106K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $30K repeat.
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 $16.8M (2022) to $46.0M (2020). In 2025 it made 331 grants totaling $22.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Family Services Chicago, IL | Program Support | $2,038,325 |
| Brighton Park Neighborhood Council Chicago, IL | Program Support | $1,322,556 |
| Rush University Medical Center Chicago, IL | Program Support | $1,050,471 |
| Urban Growers Collective Inc Chicago, IL | Program Support | $1,000,000 |
| Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Chicago Chicago, IL | Program Support | $786,602 |
| Rand Corporation Santa Monica, CA | Program Support | $639,543 |
| Cornerstone Community Development Corporation Ford Heights, IL | Program Support | $630,886 |
| Austin Coming Together Chicago, IL | Program Support | $623,953 |
| Latinos Progresando Chicago, IL | Program Support | $573,063 |
| Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Chicago, IL | Program Support | $559,660 |
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The organization files Form 990.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $48,777,265 | $47,075,947 | $48,854,628 | $22,795,927 | 331 | $1,676,981 |
| 2024 | $49,451,698 | $48,290,575 | $51,773,288 | $24,248,120 | 226 | $1,523,087 |
| 2023 | $52,932,266 | $46,989,568 | $52,996,684 | $26,984,642 | 256 | $1,375,198 |
| 2022 | $58,068,035 | $46,184,540 | $55,835,793 | $16,788,680 | 206 | $352,282 |
| 2021 | $71,078,214 | $81,718,792 | $61,576,970 | $35,864,570 | 428 | $866,532 |
| 2020 | $48,823,180 | $94,270,464 | $67,936,487 | $46,034,846 | 513 | $487,260 |
| 2019 | $25,528,571 | $46,439,254 | $48,579,487 | $20,377,650 | 300 | $427,091 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to bring together and activate people, resources, and expertise to improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. Its grantmaking supports household stability and community-identified goals, including access to health care, housing, safety from abuse, food assistance, early learning, workforce development, and legal assistance. Its 2024–25 Impact Grant strategies included place-based and regionwide wraparound services and issue-focused services.
United Way supports nonprofit organizations through programs including Impact Grants and the Chicago BridgeBuilders Fund. BridgeBuilders is designed for small, local organizations serving Chicago’s South and West Sides and the south suburbs; it offers unrestricted funding, relationship-building opportunities, and capacity building. Its listed eligibility criteria include an annual budget below $1 million, work at the intersection of economic development and social services, and 501(c)(3) status or a fiscal sponsor.
Grantees’ own missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Brighton Park Neighborhood Council describes work that includes improving public-school learning environments, preserving affordable housing, protecting immigrant rights, and ending violence. Rush University Medical Center says its mission is to improve health through patient care, education, research, and community partnerships. Urban Growers Collective describes work addressing inequities in the food system through urban agriculture. Austin Coming Together focuses on improving education and economic development outcomes in the Austin community.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, United Way reported 331 grants totaling $22,795,927. Individual grants ranged from $5,002 to $2,038,325, with a median grant of $25,000. The largest listed awards included $2,038,325 to Metropolitan Family Services, $1,322,556 to Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, $1,050,471 to Rush University Medical Center, and $1,000,000 to Urban Growers Collective. Each was listed for program support. Other large awards included $786,602 to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Chicago, $639,543 to RAND Corporation, and $630,886 to Cornerstone Community Development Corporation.
For the July 2024–June 2025 period, the organization reported investing more than $6 million in Impact Grant strategies, more than $8.5 million in the Neighborhood Network initiative, and more than $2.5 million in special initiatives and investments, including the Chicago BridgeBuilders Fund and 211 Metro Chicago. These program-reported investment figures are separate from the filing-year grant totals above.
The 2026 Impact Grants cycle was described as a closed, shortened process for current Impact Grant partners, with funding set to begin in January 2026. The organization said applications would be competitive and based on available resources. The Chicago BridgeBuilders Fund application page stated that the 2026–2027 cohort 5 application was closed. The published Impact Grants process calls for alignment with the organization’s strategies, evidence-based service models, data-rich results, and use of its measurement framework. Its filing describes annual grant monitoring that may include information on client demographics, program activities, measurements, and outcomes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Sean Garrett as President and CEO, Elizabeth Lach as Chief Development Officer, Linda T. Coberly as Board Chair, and Manuel Flores as Board Treasurer. It also lists David Blowers, Kevin Cole, Wendell Dallas, Jeffrey Devron, Paulette Dodson, and Derek Douglas as board members.
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc is led by Sean Garrett, President & CEO on every filing since 2019; 12 of 42 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sean Garrett
President & CEO
On filings since 2019
37.5 hrs/week
$91K (2019) → $408K (2025)
Esther Franco-Payne
Executive Director & Pspc
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$185K (2025)
Richard Laplatt
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$159K (2025)
Linda T. Coberly
Board Chair
Vice Chair → Chairperson, 2024
Chairperson → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Thornton
Ea & Secretary
On filings since 2019
37.5 hrs/week
$73K (2019) → $104K (2025)
Kevin Graan
Associate Vice President & Finance
Controller → Associate Vice President & Finance, 2022
On filings since 2019
37.5 hrs/week
$109K (2019) → $148K (2025)
Kimberlee Guenther
Chief Impact Officer
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$125K (2020) → $218K (2025)
Ronald Denard
Chief Financial Officer
CFO → Chief Financial Officer, 2022
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$50K (2020) → $288K (2025)
Tamiya Aurel
Chief People & Culture Officer
Vice President Human Resources → Chief People & Culture Officer, 2025
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$116K (2020) → $192K (2025)
Jacquelyn Grimes
Vice President & Marketing
On filings since 2023
37.5 hrs/week
$147K (2023) → $183K (2025)
Christopher Preston
Chief Development Officer
On filings since 2024
37.5 hrs/week
$284K (2024) → $180K (2025)
Elizabeth Lach - Chief
Development Officer
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$97K (2025)
Lissette Huertas
Ea & Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$76K (2025)
Eileen Mitchell
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Devron
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa N. Johnson
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert A. Sullivan
Board Member
Campaign Chair → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Reiter
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Swanson
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bridget Gainer
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edward McGrogan
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carina Markel
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Darren Jones
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Blowers
Board Member
Board Member → Campaign Chair, 2024
Campaign Chair → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda L. Imonti
Board Member
Board Member → Campaign Chair, 2022
Campaign Chair → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Manuel Flores
Board Treasurer
Treasurer → Board Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Prindiville
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Neil Murray
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paulette Dodson
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Randy Mehrberg
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wolfe Tone
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alicia Ponce
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julia Morsch Sznewajs
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth Escoe
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Cole
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Skerjan
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Travis Hunter
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendell Dallas
Board Member
Campaign Chair → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Darrel Hackett
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Derek Douglas
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hannah Hayes
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kunal Kapoor Cfs
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (50)
- Former: Cheryl A. Francis (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: David R. Casper (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Kristie Paskvan (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Larry L. Jackson (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Brooke Thompson (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Torrence Hinton (2023–2024) — Vice Chairperson
- Former: Anna Lee (2024) — Vice President & Strategic Initiatives
- Former: Jeffrey Gawel (2024) — Assistant Vice President & Technology Strategy
- Former: Johanns Williams (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Kelly R. Welsh (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Andrew Dunn (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Anna Edwards (2021–2023) — Vice President & Corporate Engagement
- Former: Jud Snyder (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Charles Matthews (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: E. Scott Santi (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jose Rico (2019–2022) — Chief Partnership & Initiative · Filing note: Thru 10/2021
- Former: Joseph Dominguez (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Marilyn Jackson (2019–2022) — Chief Strategy & Engagement Officer · Filing note: Thru 12/2021
- Former: Patrick J. Canning (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Elizabeth Hughes Zimbler (2020–2022) — Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer
- Former: John Oliver Hudson III (2021–2022) — Vice Chairperson
- Former: Veronica Lynch (2022) — Director President's Officer · Filing note: Thru 12/2021
- Former: Andrew J McKenna Sr. (2019–2021) — Emeritus Board Member
- Former: Deborah L. Dehaas (2019–2021) — Emeritus Board Member
- Former: Federick H. Waddell (2019–2021) — Emeritus Board Member
- Former: James P. Kolar (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Kimberly D. Simios (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Melvin D. Williams (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Steve Battreall (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jay Rowell (2020–2021) — Executive Director Hire360
- Former: Lester McKeever (2021) — Emeritus Board Member
- Former: Cary Grace (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Jorge Ramirez (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Joseph M. Higgins (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Joseph Vanyo (2019–2020) — COO
- Former: Kevin Geoghegan (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Linda D. Nelson (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Mary Jane Fortin (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Mary Marcia McMahon (2019–2020) — Chief Professional Officer
- Former: Tony W. Hunter (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Anthony Sulewski (2019) — Senior Director Donor Services
- Former: Deborah K Price (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Deborah Stevens (2019) — CFO
- Former: Leah Ray-Seid (2019) — Senior Vice President Rd
- Former: Paul La Schiazza (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Richard Moore (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Risa Davis (2019) — Vice President Corp Devpt
- Former: W James Farrell (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Wendy Du Boe (2019) — President & CEO
- Former: William A Von Hoene (2019) — Board Member
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 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $408K, to Sean Garrett (President & CEO). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc
How much does United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc give each year?
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc gave $22.8M across 331 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $24.2M across 226 grants.
What is United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc's typical grant size?
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $68,870, across 331 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc that year got $11K on average.
Where does United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc give grants?
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc gives mostly in Illinois: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (229 grants), Evanston, IL (9 grants), Elgin, IL (7 grants) and Chicago Heights, IL (5 grants).
Does United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 331 grants with a stated purpose on United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (331 grants).
Who are United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc's largest grantees?
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Metropolitan Family Services ($2,038,325), Brighton Park Neighborhood Council ($1,322,556) and Rush University Medical Center ($1,050,471), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc?
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc reported $48.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $47.1M.
What does United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to bring together and activate people, resources, and expertise to improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc?
The described 2026 Impact Grants cycle was limited to current partners; the Chicago BridgeBuilders Fund’s 2026–2027 cohort 5 application is closed. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc's EIN?
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 30-0200478. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 19, 2020)
- 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 May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 19, 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 18, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 18, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-metropolitan-chicago-inc-morg_0920daddd41747ce97bed61bc1ef1e18
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_300200478_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-metropolitan-chicago-inc-morg_0920daddd41747ce97bed61bc1ef1e18},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Metropolitan Chicago 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 Metropolitan Chicago Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?