A Message from Our Leadership
It goes without saying, this past year proved to be one of the most challenging as the coronavirus found its way into our communities. It forced each of us to ask, “How can I support those who need a helping hand?” We got creative. We did what Chicagoans are known for doing; rising to the occasion. While the pandemic is not over and there is still much work to be done, with donors and supporters like you we are optimistic for the future. Your support this fiscal year allowed us to remain steadfast in our commitment to come alongside neighborhoods to reverse the effects of disinvestment and improve health, education and financial outcomes.
Reflecting on the past eventful year starts with the backbone of those efforts: the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund (CCRF). Thanks to 6,000 donors, CCRF distributed $35 million to over 400 nonprofits in partnership with the Chicago Community Trust (CCT) and the City of Chicago. After CCRF’s launch, United Way of Metro Chicago worked with Kids First Chicago, Chicago Public Schools and other funders to create Chicago Connected which is offering four years of free internet service to nearly 228,000 students. We also partnered with CCT to support We Rise Together in an effort to advance equity across our region and ensure communities are supported in economic recovery.
This winter, we received news that MacKenzie Scott planned to donate $25 million to United Way in an unrestricted grant. The single largest donation in our organization’s history is being used to accelerate our place-based work in communities. This gift will shape our impact in the region for years to come.
In this report, you’ll also read about other successes, like the newly announced Andrew J. McKenna Leadership award, the Uniting for the Holidays drive, the growth and diversification of our board, and our expanding Campaign Cabinet.
Our resilience as a city shone through last year. We got knocked down a few times, but thanks to our neighbors, partners and you, we always got back up. Our passion and focus to deliver equitable solutions for building a stronger region has never been greater. Let’s work together to make sure every family has food on the table, every neighborhood gets closer to economic prosperity and every individual has the opportunity to reach their potential. Thank you for believing in United Way’s mission.
Sean Garrett
President & CEO
2020/2021 Chair, Board of Directors
Sean Garrett
President & CEO
Pat Canning
2020/2021 Chair, Board of Directors
The Year in Review
(July 2020) Employee Campaigns Go Virtual! Dedicated corporate donors welcome United Way in creative and virtually interactive ways amid the COVID-19 health pandemic.
(August 2020) Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation, the lead agency of the Auburn Gresham Neighborhood Network, wins the 2020 Pritzker Traubert Foundation’s Chicago Prize and breaks ground on the healthy lifestyle hub.
(October 2020) The Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund wins the Chicago Innovation Award, recognizing the partnership between United Way of Metro Chicago and The Chicago Community Trust and the organizations’ innovative collaboration efforts to support local nonprofits during the pandemic.
(December 2020) MacKenzie Scott donated $25 million to accelerate United Way’s work advancing neighborhood equity and creating communities where children and families can thrive. This was the United Way of Metro Chicago’s single largest donation in the organization’s history.
(May 2021) The inaugural Andrew J. McKenna Leadership Award is introduced at the 2021 Stronger Neighborhoods Awards, recognizing individuals whose civic engagement follows Andy’s example of Commitment to Chicago. The 2021 award was presented to John W. Madigan and the event raised a record-breaking $1.2 Million for United Way of Metro Chicago.
(June 2021) United Way of Metro Chicago, in partnership with United Way of Illinois, concluded the 21-Week Equity Challenge with a Juneteenth event featuring New York Times best-selling author Heather McGhee. More than 1200 attendees joined the virtual discussion about the economic impact of racism on all of us.
United Way Builds Towards Equity
Research shows advancing equity across all our neighborhoods means every child has access to a quality education, our communities are safer, our neighbors are healthier, incomes increase, and our economy grows. United Way of Metro Chicago launched the Neighborhood Network Initiative in 2012 in Brighton Park and West Chicago. That began a decade-long effort to advance equity through the Chicago region.
Today, United Way works with more than 200 partners in 10 Neighborhood Networks across the region. We offer financial and technical support to neighborhood coalitions in predominantly Black and Latinx neighborhoods across the city and suburbs. Networks typically include schools, nonprofits, government leaders, businesses, healthcare providers and other community stakeholders that work together to find collaborative solutions to their neighborhoods’ challenges and help people meet their basic needs.
Neighborhood partnerships and United Way’s place-based work will continue to be integral to our efforts to advance equity as the city and region recovers. Our “ALICE in Illinois: A Financial Hardship Study,” published in 2020 found that even before the pandemic, 30% or more of households in Cook, DuPage, Kane and Lake counties were not meeting their basic needs. That’s why we doubled down on our commitment to work together to heal, find solutions and build a more prosperous region.
Achievements in Equity
Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund
United Way of Illinois 21-Week Equity Challenge
Advancing Equity & Diversity from Within
Chicago Connected
Uniting for the Holidays
Learning Programs
United Neighborhoods Equity Fund
In such a challenging time, the thing that gives me great hope and inspiration is seeing Chicagoans come together as a community to meet the changing needs of our neighbors.
Sean Garrett, President & CEO of United Way of Metro Chicago
The Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund Winds Down
The devastating impact of the pandemic sweeping through Chicago neighborhoods can’t be overstated. Fragile communities felt the brunt of business closures, lost jobs and lives lost. Many households on the South and West sides saw this disproportionately impact their friends, family and neighbors.
The magnitude of these compounding circumstances was truly unprecedented. When we launched the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund (CCRF) we did not know that we could raise $35 million and invest in 400 organizations providing emergency services. It is the single largest relief effort for both United Way of Metro Chicago and The Chicago Community Trust, and it was one of the largest in the country.
We know the impact of COVID-19 will be felt for years to come. Communities will grapple with economic destabilization of families and ongoing health concerns of individuals. However, we want you to know that we’re not going anywhere. The Fund has wrapped, but United Way has incorporated learnings from managing the Fund into future community impact strategies, including:
- Expanding our community-informed, partnership-based approach to grantmaking to all funding streams
- Ensuring that resources are equitably distributed across the Chicago region
Looking ahead, we’ll continue bringing together partners as we move toward recovery across our region to help people meet their basic needs and build stronger, more equitable neighborhoods.
Learn More about the Impact of COVID on Essential Workers.
Stories of Impact
There are 77 neighborhoods and hundreds of communities across the Chicago region, each with their own heartbeat and story to tell. Here are some of the stories from those neighborhoods and initiatives started by those in them that make us proud of our city and our region.
Brighton Park
The coalition of 40 members focuses on comprehensive support in education, health, violence prevention and employment. This includes serving a yearly average of 1,605 students through after-school enrichment programming; growing attendance at health workshops focused on nutrition and physical activity; supporting over 100 Brighton Park residents experiencing homelessness by providing case management and ensuring they obtained safe and stable housing; and distributing nearly $2 million in direct support via cash, food, rental and mortgage and utility assistance to 850+ families.
“BPNC is thrilled to have worked with UWMC and all of our community & institutional partners to develop the Brighton Park Neighborhood Network. BPNN’s incredible success would not have been possible without the strategic, thoughtful, & generous support from UWMC & all of its many partners!”
Allstate
As part of a decades-long partnership, the Allstate Foundation, United Way of Metro Chicago and community partners teamed up to financially empower survivors of domestic violence and financial abuse. The Moving Ahead Curriculum brings tangible resources and training materials to shelters, crisis centers and counseling programs to build their capacity and support more individuals.
“Every person should have the information and tools they need to create a safe, stable and fulfilled life,” said Francie Schnipke Richards, vice president of social responsibility and The Allstate Foundation. “Now, more than ever, it is critical to get financial resources in the hands of survivors in need.”
Impact Grants
United Way remains committed to helping our neighbors make ends meet by reducing barriers and investing in direct service programs that provide critical support in housing, food access, safety from abuse, and access to healthcare. Our Impact Grants invest in nonprofit partners and programs that drive innovative change to transform systems and service delivery. Our partners know their neighborhoods and know how to charter the course for change in their communities — our job is to empower them with the resources to lead.
A Vision for a Stronger Auburn Gresham
Change is coming to Auburn Gresham. The Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation (GADGDC), in partnership with Urban Growers Collective and Green ERA was awarded $10 million in 2020 by the Pritzker Traubert Foundation for their vision to reimagine the neighborhood.
“Always Growing Auburn Gresham,” is a community development plan that includes a Healthy Lifestyle Hub and a renewable energy and urban farming campus along Halsted and 79th. The urban farm is expected to produce more than 26,000 pounds of food each year. Once it’s up and running, the farm will supply food to a newly constructed marketplace, an existing mobile food-market and local restaurants. Communities like Auburn Gresham have faced systemic divestment since 1960. This is their moment to reclaim their space.
“In 5 to 10 years, when you come back to this intersection, you’ll see the vibrancy,” said Carlos Nelson, GAGDC’s Executive Director. “A vibrant, positive display of community support.”
Our Supporters
Introducing the Andrew J. McKenna Leadership Award
Andy McKenna is a life-long Chicagoan who understands that the Chicago region is shaped by the people who step forward and invest their time and energy in advancing the civic and philanthropic needs of the region.
For more than two decades, United Way of Metro Chicago has been the beneficiary of Andy’s leadership and it is in recognition of his service to United Way and the greater Chicago region that we have created the Andrew J. McKenna Leadership Award.
This award recognizes an individual who follows the example set forth by Andy and his lifetime commitment to Chicago. We would like to congratulate John W. Madigan as the first ever recipient of the Andrew J. McKenna Leadership Award. Madigan represents everything McKenna stands for — a generational commitment to the City of Big Shoulders and an unrelenting commitment to do good by your community.
Lisa and Lamar Johnson
Randy Lyon
New Faces and New Initiatives
I don’t think that there’s anything that we as a community cannot attain if we work together.
Carlos Nelson, CEO of Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation
Top 25 Corporate Partners
2020/2021 Executive Volunteers
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairperson
Patrick J. Canning
Cheryl A. Francis
Manuel Flores
David C. Blowers
David R. Casper
Linda T. Coberly
Jeffrey Devron
Paulette Dodson
Joseph Dominguez
Andrew Dunn
Bridget Gainer
John Oliver Hudson III
Linda L. Imonti
Rev. Larry L. Jackson, MDiv
Lisa N. Johnson
Darren Jones
James P. Kolar
Carina Markel
Edward W. McGrogan
Randy Mehrberg
Eileen Mitchell
Neil Murray
Mark Prindiville
Kristie P. Paskvan
Robert Reiter
Judson Snyder
Robert A. Sullivan
Scott C. Swanson
Brooke Thompson
Wolfe Tone
Kelly R. Welsh
Johanns Williams
Board Emeritus
Deborah L. DeHaas
Board Emeritus
Lester McKeever
Andrew J. McKenna
Frederick H. Waddell
Sean Garrett
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Patrick J. Canning
Linda T. Coberly
Jeffrey Devron
Manuel Flores
Cheryl A. Francis
James P. Kolar
Charles Matthews
Frederick H. Waddell
Compensation & HR Committee
Chair
Jeffrey Devron
CHICAGO COUNCIL COMMITTEE
Kant Desai
Andrea Durbin
Molly Baltman Leonard
Eric Lugo
Mandee Polonsky
Jennifer Shimp
Peter Tobin
Equity Committee
Chair
Linda T. Coberly
Rev. Larry L. Jackson, MDiv
Lisa N. Johnson
Finance & Audit Committee
Chair
Manuel Flores
Patti Barnett
Paulette Dodson
James Hill Jr.
Martha Hinchman
James P. Kolar
Carina Markel
Edward W. McGrogan
Sean Rooney
Adam Schlesinger
Julie Scott
Laura Stern
Brooke Thompson
Nominating Committee
Cheryl A. Francis
Linda T Coberly
Deborah DeHaas
Jeffrey Devon
Lisa N. Johnson
Andrew J. McKenna
Robert A. Sullivan
Strong Neighborhoods Committee
Kristie Paskvan
Cheryl A. Francis
Bridget Gainer
Rev. Larry L. Jackson, MDiv
Anna Lee
Marcia Macphearson
Randy Mehrberg
Tawakalitu Mitchell
Neil Murray
Mark Prindiville
Kelly R. Welsh
Campaign Cabinet
Campaign Chair
Charles Matthews
Vice Chair
Lisa N. Johnson
Vice Chair
Steven C. Bauer
Vice Chair
C.H. Randolph (Randy) Lyon
Vice Chair
Michael G. Capatides
James Skogsbergh
Linda L. Imonti
Wolfe Tone
Brant Ahrens
Jennifer (Shook) Bahra
Andrea Beirne
David Berezin
Sam Boebel
David C. Blowers
Justin Brown
Morten Bruhn
Catherine Cappuzzello
Karen Case
Katie Jahnke Dale
Donna Dreuth
Seth Green
Shane M. Foley
Raj Gupta
Thomas Harmening
Jack Hennessey
John Oliver Hudson III
Tom Jacobs
Niamh Kristufek
Kim Liautaud
Bruce Lubin
Dorri C. McWhorter
Thomas P. Merchant
Sarah Pinto
Brad Reid
Samantha Rice
Cristy Garcia-Thomas
Michael L. Scudder
Bob Westropp
Don V Villar
Amy Yuhn
Tocqueville Committee
C.H. Randolph (Randy) Lyon
Lisa N. Johnson
David C. Blowers
Kim Liautaud
Robert Westropp
North-Northwest Regional Board
Edward W. McGrogan
Janet Katz
Robert Westropp
Alan Bromberg
Chuck Adler
Mary Alvarado
Samuel Boebel
Christopher Eilers
Sue Ehlers
Barbara Ferguson
Corey Gustafson
Satish Kumar
Sarah Miksa
Venetia Valley
Marc D. Wallace
Eric Witherspoon
South-Southwest Regional Board
Johanns Williams
Shamus Hayes
Robin Bettenhausen
Barbara Suggs-Mason
Mayme C. Buckley-Leonard
Victor Roberson
L. Marie Asad
Jeff Cohn
Kelley R. Foxx
Rev. Larry L. Jackson
Desiree Watkins
West Regional Board
Andrew Dunn
Jose Alvarez
Linda Anderson
Lori Camblin
Marcia MacPhearson
Jason Meslin
Mark Skerjan
We are working alongside our partners at the neighborhood level to tackle the systemic issues that have plagued our region, creating communities where children and families can thrive. United, we are building stronger neighborhoods for a stronger, more equitable Chicago region.
In March 2020, United Way of Metro Chicago and The Chicago Community Trust partnered to launch the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund to direct money to nonprofits on the frontlines.
We joined United Way of Illinois in launching the 
Peoples Gas generously donated $1 Million as the Founding Sponsor for the United Neighborhoods Equity Fund (UNEF).
Across Chicago, many households are celebrating that their families are fully vaccinated. Sadly, the effects of COVID-19 will be felt for years to come. The memories of displaced jobs, social isolation and lost loved ones are too fresh to forget. The economic ramifications of job losses will linger in our communities. The grief and burden of a loved one passing may never truly go away. However, our ability to endure, adapt and overcome the pandemic is what makes Chicagoans who they are. No one deserves as much credit for their resiliency as essential workers.