United Neighborhoods Equity Fund Launches United Way of Metro Chicago recognizes that a top-down approach and lack of lived experience has often led to funder-driven decision-making that lacks authentic community expertise and inclusion. That’s why we launched The United Neighborhoods Equity Fund (UNEF) with the help of our founding partner Peoples Gas who contributed $1 million to address these barriers and create a more equitable, just Chicago. With an emphasis on supporting Black and Latinx-led organizations located on Chicago’s South and West sides, will provide the following benefits to grantees:- Funding – Two-year general operating grant award ($25,000/year)
- Cohort – Leaders from 10 community-based organizations (with budgets of less than $1M) serving the communities aligned with the United Way Neighborhood Network
- Capacity Building – Individual and group capacity building curriculum aimed to strength organizational infrastructure
- Relationship Building – Cross-sector relationship building through a peer cohort model, corporate spotlight, and networking with potential funders and investors.
UNEF will foster authentic and sustainable relationships between corporate partners and community organizations; chartering a path towards stronger neighborhoods throughout Chicago. Together, we can make the city a beacon for opportunity.