United Way of Will County
United Way of Will County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Joliet, Illinois. Founded in 1936, the organization serves as a community fundraising and resource distribution entity that unites individuals, businesses, and community organizations to address local needs. The organization employs 7 staff members and operates as a public charity with a focus on collaborative problem-solving and community impact.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.6M
+5.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$984K
+4.4% YoY
Grant Count
35
+12.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$28K
-7.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To unite Will County communities and resources to empower people and create positive, sustainable change.
United Way of Will County identifies and financially supports local programs across three primary impact areas:
- Economic Mobility: Helping individuals and families develop skills and knowledge to become economically self-sufficient and independent
- Health & Wellness: Ensuring all individuals and families have access to quality healthcare services to lead physically and mentally healthy lives
- Education: Supporting educational programs, youth character development, and mentoring to help all children succeed in school and beyond
The organization also addresses community safety and disaster response needs through its network of funded partners.
Grantmaking
United Way of Will County distributes grants to vetted community partner organizations that align with its three identified impact areas. All funded partners must meet the organization's funding guidelines and are reviewed by its Impact and Investment Council.
Grant Range
$5,000–$107,600
Average Grant
amount: Approximately $33,500
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Will County?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
United Way of Will County focuses exclusively on Will County, Illinois. The organization reports providing services to over 450,000 people in the county and achieving direct aid to approximately 1 in 3 community members.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2023 Financial Data:
- Total assets: $3,404,019
- Total revenues: $2,810,406
- Total expenses: $2,516,815
- Total grants distributed: $1,086,996
- Number of employees: 7
The organization maintains a strong financial position with assets exceeding annual expenses.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,587,313 | $3,404,019 | $2,940,906 |
| Revenue | $2,878,478 | $2,810,406 | $2,734,341 |
| Expenses | $2,677,627 | $2,516,815 | $2,162,073 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $58,561 | $22,803 | $2,863 |
| 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
173 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from United Way of Will County
Community Impact Grants (FY26)
UNITED WAY OF WILL COUNTY
Amount
$1,021,000 total distributed across 70 programs
Deadline
June 30, 2026
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
Rolling / Open
Homer Glen Disaster Relief Fund
UNITED WAY OF WILL COUNTY
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BILLY HEARTH | BOARD CHAIR | 1 | — |
| MIKE PAONE | CHAIR ELECT | 1 | — |
| LESLIE BARRY | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| YOUNG KIM | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| DIANA SORESCU | CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JEN HANNON | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CHAIR | 1 | — |
| FREDRICK GANDY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GREG GUGLE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| STEVE JAMNIK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LOU HAGEMASTER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DAVID PIETRYLA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PHYLLIS ROMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JORDAN KIELIAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DAVE SURINA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SCOTT SEGOBIANO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SARAH OPRZEDEK | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $104,051 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
United Way of Will County has undertaken several significant initiatives:
United Way of Will County Awards $1,021,000 in FY26 Community ...**FY26 Community Grants:** Awarded $1,021,000 in community grants
United Way of Will County Awards $1,021,000 in FY26 Community ...**Continuum of Care Leadership:** Became the lead agency for the Will County Continuum of Care (CoC) effective June 1
United Way of Will County to Become Lead Agency for Will County Continuum**Resilient Youth Initiative:** Leading a Resilient Youth Initiative focused on K-12 students
United Way of Will County Leading Resilient Youth Initiative for K-12 Students**Women United:** Inaugurated the Women United affinity group in 2018, which hosts the annual Little Black Dress Soiree
**Emergency Food & Shelter Administration:** Since 1983, has administered the Emergency Food & Shelter Federal Grant program, distributing over $10 million to Will County organizations to date
Will County Seeking Grant Applications for Programs Aimed at Addressing OpioidSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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 Will 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