United Way of Will County
United Way of Will County is a public charity based in Joliet, Illinois. It brings together community members, organizations, and businesses to address needs in Will County, with work focused on economic mobility, education, and health and wellness.
Key facts about United Way of Will County
In short: United Way of Will County gave $1.0M across 39 grants in 2025 (avg $26K), mostly in Illinois. 28% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 36-2515625
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,005,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 39
- Average grant
- $25,769
- Median grant
- $15,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (11 of 39, 2025)
- Total assets
- $3,168,431
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- United Way of Will County does not accept unsolicited requests for its FY2027 Community Grant cycle, which is a closed process limited to organizations that currently receive United Way funding. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$3.2M
-11.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.0M
+2.2% YoY
Grant Count
39
+11.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$26K
-8.3% YoY
Is United Way of Will County open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 11 of 39 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $31K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $23K repeat.
- 72% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+2%). 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to unite Will County communities and resources to empower people and create positive, sustainable change. Its website describes its focus in terms of economic mobility, education, and health and wellness; its community grant page groups its investment areas as youth opportunity, healthy community, and financial security.
Its 2025 grantees illustrate the range of local services supported. For example, the Boys and Girls Club describes its mission as helping youth, particularly those from disadvantaged circumstances, develop qualities needed to become productive members of society. Trinity Services says it assists people with developmental disabilities and mental illness to live full and abundant lives. Stepping Stones describes providing treatment for people with mental health, alcohol, or substance abuse disorders. Other grantees describe services including low-income child care, disability services, bilingual education and social services, and free health care for people unable to access care elsewhere.
Grantmaking
The 2025 filing reports 39 grants totaling $1,005,000. Grants ranged from $7,000 to $92,500, with a median of $15,000. The largest listed awards included Catholic Charities in Joliet ($92,500), Boys and Girls Club in Joliet ($86,500), Trinity Services in New Lenox ($74,500), Greater Joliet YMCA ($63,000), and Stepping Stone in Joliet ($59,000). The filing describes these awards as for general assistance.
The organization’s community grants support local nonprofit programs aligned with its impact areas. Funded partners are vetted by its Impact and Investment Council, which reviews applications, conducts or participates in program site visits, and makes funding recommendations. General eligibility criteria include 501(c)(3) status; health or human service programs focused on economic mobility, education, or health and wellness for Will County residents; an active board that meets at least quarterly; annual federal and Illinois filings; and financial materials appropriate to the organization’s revenue. Clients may not be required to participate in religious activities, and funds may not be used for capital projects.
Separately, United Way of Will County administers the Emergency Food and Shelter Program for Will County on behalf of FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security through the National Emergency Food and Shelter Board. The program supplements local nonprofit and government agencies’ work on non-disaster economic emergencies. Its listed priorities include shelter, meals, food, rent or mortgage assistance, and utility assistance.
How to Apply
United Way of Will County does not accept unsolicited requests for its FY2027 Community Grant cycle, which is a closed process limited to organizations that currently receive United Way funding. It uses an online grants management portal for Community Grants. The organization says it will provide an update about future grant opportunities no later than December 2026.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from United Way of Will County
Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP)
United Way of Will County
Amount
Varies by phase; recent awards include $338,090 (Phase 41), $345,687 (Phase 39), $361,728 (Phase 38)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Homer Glen Disaster Relief Fund
United Way of Will County
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Will County COVID-19 Response Fund
United Way of Will County
Amount
Total distributed: $750,000 across three phases (Phase 1: $250,000; Phase 2: $100,000; Phase 3: $400,000)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Will County?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization describes its community work as focused on Will County, Illinois. All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 39 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $942K (2023) to $2.1M (2019). In 2025 it made 39 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Catholic Charities ($93K). Together the top 10 received $583K.
Grant Size Distribution
175 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 141 grants of 175 (81%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Catholic Charities Joliet, IL | Gen Assistance | $92,500 |
| Boys and Girls Club Joliet, IL | Gen Assistance | $86,500 |
| Trinity Services New Lenox, IL | Gen Assistance | $74,500 |
| Greater Joliet YMCA Joliet, IL | Gen Assistance | $63,000 |
| Stepping Stone Joliet, IL | Gen Assistance | $59,000 |
| Warren Sharpe Community Center Joliet, IL | Gen Assistance | $50,500 |
| Guardian Angel Joliet, IL | Gen Assistance | $49,000 |
| United Cerebral Palsy-Center for Disability Services Joliet, IL | Gen Assistance | $37,500 |
| Spanish Community Center Joliet, IL | Gen Assistance | $36,000 |
| Willgrundy Medical Clinic Joliet, IL | Gen Assistance | $34,500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,168,431 | $2,807,074 | $3,246,949 | $1,005,000 | 39 |
| 2024 | $3,587,313 | $2,878,478 | $2,677,627 | $983,750 | 35 |
| 2023 | $3,404,019 | $2,810,406 | $2,516,815 | $942,181 | 31 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,168,431 | $3,587,313 | $3,404,019 |
| Revenue | $2,807,074 | $2,878,478 | $2,810,406 |
| Expenses | $3,246,949 | $2,677,627 | $2,516,815 |
| Net Investment Income | $44,368 | $58,561 | $22,803 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 21, 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 February 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 13, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 23, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mike Paone as board chair, Leslie Barry as chair elect, Billy Hearth as past chair, Steve Jamnik as treasurer, Phyllis Roman as secretary, and Dave Surina as development chair. It also lists Young Kim, Jen Hannon, David Pietryla, and Jordan Kielian as directors.
United Way of Will County is led by Sarah Oprzedek, President & CEO on every filing since 2023; 1 of 19 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sarah Oprzedek
President & CEO
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$79K (2023) → $109K (2025)
Mike Paone
Board Chair
Corporate Engagement Chair → Chair Elect, 2022
Chair Elect → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dave Surina
Development Chair
Director → Development Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Segobiano
Community Impact Chair
Director → Community Impact Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Young Kim
Director
Director → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jordan Kielian
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Pietryla
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jen Hannon
Director
Community Engagement Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Archana Liggins
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bryan Hale
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carla Montagano Liburdi
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Colleen Lyons
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Craig Schmidt
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Jungles
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Murad Ayyash
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Billy Hearth
Past Chair
Secretary → Board Chair, 2023
Board Chair → Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Barry
Chair Elect
Director → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Chair Elect, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phyllis Roman
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Jamnik
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (31)
- Former: Diana Sorescu (2019–2024) — Corporate Engagement Chair
- Former: Lou Hagemaster (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Fredrick Gandy (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Greg Gugle (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Thomas Hernandez (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Jaree Magee (2021–2023) — Community Engagement Chair
- Former: Kamala Martinez (2021–2023) — President & CEO
- Former: Fred Gandy (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Jen Coyne (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Kathy Slattery (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Alex Paramo (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Jerry Santos (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Joe Fabbre (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Merridith Montgomery (2021–2022) — Board Chair
- Former: Michael Hennessy (2019–2021) — Former President
- Former: Sam Studer (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Skyler Reed (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Jessica Martin (2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Brian Benton (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Dawn Bullock (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Joseph Fabbre (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Kristi McNichol (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Marc Reid (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Mark Mitchell (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Mary Montgomery (2020) — Director
- Former: April Elashik (2019) — Director
- Former: Brian Wielbik (2019) — Director
- Former: Jeff Hettrick (2019) — Director
- Former: Joe Del Real (2019) — Director
- Former: Mike Millam (2019) — Chairman
- Former: Phil Staley (2019) — Secretary
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 $109K, to Sarah Oprzedek (President & CEO).
Contact
Mailing address: 54 N Ottawa Street 300, Joliet, IL 60432-4345
Phone: (815) 723-2500
Website: https://uwwill.org
Frequently asked questions about United Way of Will County
How much does United Way of Will County give each year?
United Way of Will County gave $1.0M across 39 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $984K across 35 grants.
What is United Way of Will County's typical grant size?
United Way of Will County's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $25,769, across 39 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of Will County that year got $11K on average.
Where does United Way of Will County give grants?
United Way of Will County 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 Joliet, IL (26 grants), New Lenox, IL (2 grants) and Romeoville, IL (2 grants).
Does United Way of Will County give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 39 grants with a stated purpose on United Way of Will County's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Gen Assistance" (39 grants).
Who are United Way of Will County's largest grantees?
United Way of Will County's largest 2025 grantees include Catholic Charities ($92,500), Boys and Girls Club ($86,500) and Trinity Services ($74,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of Will County?
United Way of Will County reported $3.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.8M.
What does United Way of Will County fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to unite Will County communities and resources to empower people and create positive, sustainable change. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Will County?
United Way of Will County does not accept unsolicited requests for its FY2027 Community Grant cycle, which is a closed process limited to organizations that currently receive United Way funding. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is United Way of Will County's EIN?
United Way of Will County's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-2515625. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does United Way of Will County accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching United Way of Will County by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of Will County's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Illinois
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
Midland States Bank Foundation
Rockford, IL
Midland States Bank Foundation funds education, workforce development, financial empowerment, housing, small business development, and health and wellness, with special consideration for programs serving low- to moderate-income people. It supports communities served by Midland States Bank, primarily in Illinois, and Spring Awards typically average $7,500–$25,000. It accepts requests through its online application during open submission periods; it does not accept letters of inquiry, paper applications, or email requests.
Assets
$513K
Grants
32
Total Given
$445K
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
The Allstate Foundation
Northbrook, IL
The Allstate Foundation funds youth empowerment, efforts to prevent and address relationship abuse, nonprofit leadership, and related economic opportunity and equity work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $2 million, with a median of $1,000, and awards must support work in the United States. It accepts proposals from organizations beyond a preselected list; proposals are reviewed as received.
Assets
$89.3M
Grants
2,010
Total Given
$38.0M
Elks National Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
The Elks National Foundation funds scholarships, youth programs, veterans’ services, and charitable projects through Elks Lodges and state associations across the United States. Its 2026 grants had a median size of $10,000, though awards varied widely; the profile describes application routes for specific Lodge and scholarship programs but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$954.1M
Grants
1,536
Total Given
$36.5M
John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation
Chicago, IL
The MacArthur Foundation funds work advancing a more just, verdant, and peaceful world, including climate solutions, criminal justice, journalism, technology, and Chicago. In 2024, its grants had a median of $160,000, though awards ranged widely; it generally does not accept unsolicited requests, with possible exceptions for specific open calls or proposals that meet program guidelines.
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Chicago, IL
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial supports education, the environment, health and human services, gun violence prevention, homelessness prevention, and Jewish community and Israel initiatives, with a strong focus on Chicago and giving across the U.S. and internationally. In 2024, its grants ranged from $500 to $3 million, with a median of $55,000. It uses an invitation-only process and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
Chicago, IL
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago funds human services, Jewish education and community programs, crisis response, and support for Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, primarily through Chicago-area agencies and initiatives. In 2025, its grants had a median of about $20,000, though awards ranged widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
896
Total Given
$166.6M
Circle of Service Foundation
Chicago, IL
The foundation funds community services, education, Jewish community, and medical research, with grantmaking concentrated in Cook and Lake Counties, Illinois, though it also funds organizations elsewhere. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000 and ranged from $50 to about $1.74 million; it accepts unsolicited pre-applications for community services and for Jewish community requests in Cook or Lake County, but not for the other stated categories or out-of-area Jewish community requests.
Assets
$592.0M
Grants
637
Total Given
$37.0M
Ea Mellinger Educational
Monmouth, IL
The foundation primarily awards undergraduate scholarships and also makes grants to qualified organizations for educational purposes. In 2025, awards ranged from $183 to $15,000, with a median of $2,100; its scholarship focus is applicants from six Illinois counties, and most grant dollars went to Illinois. Scholarship applications are accepted online during the annual March 1–April 30 period; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited organizational grant requests.
Assets
$25.0M
Grants
582
Total Given
$1.2M
More Funders in Illinois
United Way of Will County down — hundreds of funders to go?