When is the deadline for Will County COVID-19 Response Fund?

The funder has not published a deadline for this grant.

Who is eligible for Will County COVID-19 Response Fund?

Eligible applicants: All funds distributed through local nonprofit organizations.

How often is Will County COVID-19 Response Fund offered?

Will County COVID-19 Response Fund is described as a one-time opportunity.

Will County COVID-19 Response Fund

Q: How much funding does Will County COVID-19 Response Fund provide?

Will County COVID-19 Response Fund provides Total distributed: $750,000 across three phases (Phase 1: $250,000; Phase 2: $100,000; Phase 3: $400,000) in funding.

United Way of Will County

Foundation One-time Grants for Nonprofits Hardship Grants Food Security Grants Housing Grants for Nonprofits

Funding Amount

Total distributed: $750,000 across three phases (Phase 1: $250,000; Phase 2: $100,000; Phase 3: $400,000)

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle: One-time opportunity
Tracked since: April 2026

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

Direct applications from individuals and families: Not applicable
All funds distributed through local nonprofit organizations

Other requirements

Individuals/families in need should contact participating nonprofit agencies for services

Overview

Administrators: United Way of Will County and Community Foundation of Will County (partnership)

Geographic Scope: Will County, Illinois and surrounding suburbs

Program Type: Emergency response fund (established during COVID-19 pandemic)

Program Overview

The Will County COVID-19 Response Fund is an extension of the Will County Disaster & Community Crisis Fund (originally created after the devastating Plainfield Tornado). The COVID-19 fund unites local funds raised by companies, individuals, and civic partners and disburses them to local nonprofit organizations serving Will County residents.

Purpose: Support nonprofit organizations serving the community's most vulnerable neighbors experiencing economic hardship due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Total Funding Distributed

$750,000 across three phases:

Phase 1 (4/15/2020): $250,000
Phase 2 (5/8/2020): $100,000
Phase 3 (6/4/2020): $400,000

Funding Uses

Donations supported increased access to:

Emergency food and basic supplies
Rent and mortgage assistance
Utility assistance
Direct financial assistance for household supplies
Nonprofit safety and operations assistance

Funding Distribution Model

100% of donations go to support services and supplies (except for minimal credit card processing fees)
Funds allocated to local nonprofit organizations who provide services and supplies
Nonprofit agencies awarded funds are announced as they receive grants
Individuals and families in need access support through participating nonprofit organizations

Who Can Apply

Direct applications from individuals and families: Not applicable

All funds distributed through local nonprofit organizations
Individuals/families in need should contact participating nonprofit agencies for services

Grant Recipients (Phases 1-3)

Phase 1 Awardees (24 organizations):

4 KIDS Sake
Alicia's House
Bags of Hope
Bridges to a New Day, nfp
Community Service Council of Northern Will County
Crisis Center for South Suburbia
Easterseals Joliet Region, Inc.
Forest Park Community Center
G.W. Buck Boys & Girls Club
Hands of Hope of Illinois
Heart Haven OutReach
Illinois Partners in Hope NFP
Kuzma Care Cottage
Living Manna Food Pantry
MorningStar Mission Ministries Inc.
New Song Health Center/Bolingbrook Christian Health Center
Northern Illinois Food Bank
Senior Services of Will County
Spanish Community Center
Warren-Sharpe Community Center
West Suburban Community Pantry
Will-Grundy Medical Clinic

Phase 2 Awardees (15 organizations): Included organizations from Phase 1 plus new awardees including BAG Lady Outreach, Holsten Human Capital Development NFP, Loaves & Fishes Community Services, Prayer Tower Ministries, SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN IMMIGRANT PROJECT (SSIP), and The Salvation Army

Phase 3 Awardees (36+ organizations): Significantly expanded list including CASA of River Valley, Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet, Cornerstone Services Inc., Crisis Line of Will County, Guardian Angel Community Services, Heroin Epidemic Relief Organization (HERO), IL-WI Sertoma Regional Center for Communicative Disorders, Indian Prairie Educational Foundation, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, One Love Global Wellness, Providence Life Services, Respond Now, SOS Children's Villages Illinois, South Suburban PADS, St. Coletta's of Illinois, The National Hook-up of Black Women Inc., The South Suburban Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Trinity Services Inc., and VNA Health Care

Response Fund Partners

Community Foundation of Will County
Meijer Stores
Friends of Pat McGuire
First Midwest Bank
IL COVID-19 Response Fund
34+ individual donors

In-Kind Partners

Magid Glove
Diageo
Koval
Wal-Mart
Bag Lady Outreach
Mary Kay

Application Status

Currently: Not accepting applications

Applications were processed during emergency phases in 2020
Fund distributed as of June 2020

Additional Resources

COVID-19 Community Resource Guide available for download
Volunteers and in-kind donations accepted
List of critical supplies needed available

What United Way of Will County actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

Grants in 2025: 39
Total given: $1M
Median grant: $15K
Range: $7,000–$93K

By dollars: Illinois 100%. Top recipient cities: Joliet, IL; New Lenox, IL; Romeoville, IL.
0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
28% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.