Women United Little Kids, Big Futures Philanthropy Fund

Women United of Lake County distributes annual grants through its Little Kids, Big Futures philanthropy fund to support early childhood education and kindergarten readiness programs serving Lake County children.

Geographic Scope: Lake County, Illinois

Focus Areas:

• Early childhood education (ages 0-5)
• Kindergarten readiness programs
• Bilingual early learning
• Early literacy
• Parent engagement
• Programs serving families in transitional housing
• Summer learning programs
• Preschool scholarships

Funding History:

• 2024: $181,000 distributed
• 2025: $188,000 distributed
• Since 2014: Over $1.6 million allocated

About Women United:
Women United of Lake County is a vibrant network of more than 145 women who leverage their passions, ideas, expertise, and resources to strengthen the community through philanthropy, leadership, and volunteerism. It is a paramount community within United Way of Lake County.

Recent Grantees (2025):

• Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC): $86,000
• Round Lake Area Park District Kindergarten Readiness: $39,000
• Better Together (Fox Lake and North Chicago): $23,000
• The Formative Years: $18,500
• Mothers Trust Foundation: $10,000
• HUGS Women United Waukegan: $5,000
• Early Learning Club Centers: $5,000
• Reading Power: $1,000

Contact Information:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (847) 775-1000
• Address: 330 S. Greenleaf Street, Gurnee, IL 60031
• Hours: Monday – Thursday | 9AM – 4PM

Application Process

Specific application procedures are not detailed in the available materials. Organizations interested in applying should:

1. Contact Women United of Lake County directly
2. Request Little Kids, Big Futures philanthropy fund guidelines
3. Inquire about application deadlines and procedures

Contact for Application Information:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (847) 775-1000
• Address: 330 S. Greenleaf Street, Gurnee, IL 60031