United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc
84% goes to programs $7 to raise $100 Strong reserves
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Chicago, Illinois, registered in 2004, with $47,075,947 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 84% of spending to programs.
222 Merchandise Mart Plz, Chicago, IL, 60654 EIN 30-0200478 Since 2004
Revenue (FY2024)
$47.1M
▼ 2.5% vs prior year
Philanthropy median: $168K
Expenses (FY2024)
$48.9M
Net assets
$36.8M
Employees
169
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
A
AProgram efficiency40% of the rating84% to programs · $7 to raise $100
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc: 84% to programs · $7 to raise $100 earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
B+Financial health25% of the rating9 mo reserves · -4% margin
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc: 9 mo reserves · -4% margin earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Governance25% of the rating6 of 6 checks met
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Transparency10% of the rating5 of 5 disclosure signals
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
United way of metro chicago brings together and activates people, resources, and expertise to improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.
What they do
Neighborhood networks at united way of metro chicago, we work alongside local neighborhood leaders to help identify community priorities and create a resident-driven neighborhood strategy. this place-based approach is led by the community quarterback, an agency that helps bring to the table all the people, resources, and ideas needed to execute community plans. united way provides funding, capacity building, and connections. we then work on the ground with the community quarterback to develop and support their work in the areas of economic and workforce development, education, housing, safety, and more. united way of metro chicago supports networks in 17 neighborhoods: auburn gresham, (see schedule o) austin, blue island/robbins, brighton park, bronzeville, chicago heights/ford heights, elgin, englewood, evanston, far south, garfield park, harvey, little village, park forest/richton park, south chicago, summit, and west chicago.some major developments & outcomes:- united way partners in west garfield park broke ground on sankofa village wellness center, a new hub that will bring essential health resources, education, and economic development to the neighborhood. - the park forest/richton park neighborhood network celebrated the ribbon cutting of the nici southland clean energy training center, promoting workforce development and economic growth.- the aspire center for workforce innovation celebrated the grand opening in the austin neighborhood network.catalytic investmentsunited way of metro chicago created a criterion framework to assess large, catalytic investment opportunities in neighborhood network communities. when making an investment decision, united way considers a project's alignment with a neighborhood network's overarching goals, how partners and community residents will utilize the space, the ripple effect on the neighborhood, and its long-term sustainability.catalytic investment decisions consider the project's immediate and long-term impacts on the community, ranging from local hiring during construction to permanent jobs, and how services can serve as a springboard for family stability.catalytic investment impacts:- in auburn gresham, united way's catalytic investment supported phase two of the green era campus.- in the austin community, united way's catalytic investment supported the opening of the aspire center for workforce innovation.- united way invested in the south chicago quality of life plan and englewood master planmore than $8.5 million was invested to support the neighborhood network initiative from july 1, 2024, to june 30, 2025.
The critical work of united way requires significant resources. support is raised through a diversified revenue model. united way conducts workplace giving campaigns, receives individual and major gifts, and is awarded grants from private foundations and the local, state, and federal government. strategic efforts are in place to further grow significant revenue from grants and individual giving. other program service achievements include designations by donors to other 501(c)(3) organizations.
Other projects (chicago bridgebuilders fund 211 metro chicago)more than $2.5 million was invested to support the organization's special initiatives and investments, including the chicago bridgebuilders fund and 211 metro chicago during the fy25 period of july 1, 2024, to june 30, 2025. chicago bridgebuilders fundchicago bridgebuilders fund (cbbf) launched in the fall of 2021 to support small, local nonprofit organizations serving the south and west sides of the city and the south suburbs. cbbf is designed to connect grantees to new capacity-building and investment opportunities that meet their needs and advance their long-term goals.the cohort-based program incorporates the following components:- unrestricted funding: funding two-year general operating grant award (up to $50,000 total)- networking and relationship building: cohort model with agency peers, building cross-sector rela
Contact & location
- Address
- 222 Merchandise Mart Plz, Chicago, IL, 60654
- City
- Chicago
- State
- Illinois
- Subcategory
- Federated Giving Programs
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue declined from $47.7M (FY2013) to $47.1M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2024)
Liabilities $12.0MNet assets $36.8M
Operating margin
-3.8%
Spent more than it raised in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$48.8M
Total liabilities
$12.0M
Net assets
$36.8M
Salaries & benefits
$12.7M
26% of expenses
Board members
31
30 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $47,075,947▼2.5% | $48,854,628▼5.6% | $36,810,628▼3.2% | $48,777,265▼1.4% | 990 |
| 2023 | $48,290,575▲2.8% | $51,773,288▼2.3% | $38,040,558▼5.7% | $49,451,698▼6.6% | 990 |
| 2022 | $46,989,568▲1.7% | $52,996,684▼5.1% | $40,360,925▼11.6% | $52,932,266▼8.8% | 990 |
| 2021 | $46,184,540▼43.5% | $55,835,793▼9.3% | $45,652,169▼19.3% | $58,068,035▼18.3% | 990 |
| 2020 | $81,718,792▼13.3% | $61,576,970▼9.4% | $56,577,683▲63.9% | $71,078,214▲45.6% | 990 |
| 2019 | $94,270,464▲103% | $67,936,487▲39.8% | $34,522,951▲215% | $48,823,180▲91.2% | 990 |
| 2018 | $46,439,254▼5.9% | $48,579,487▼5.0% | $10,969,652▼16.8% | $25,528,571▼8.0% | 990 |
| 2017 | $49,330,399▼4.3% | $51,147,599▼7.6% | $13,184,111▼10.1% | $27,734,364▼1.7% | 990 |
| 2016 | $51,531,405▼0.2% | $55,352,535▲4.9% | $14,659,139▼19.1% | $28,217,233▼11.9% | 990 |
| 2015 | $51,658,006▲3.5% | $52,755,561▲9.9% | $18,109,566▼17.9% | $32,037,221▼9.2% | 990 |
| 2014 | $49,917,001▲4.7% | $47,987,786▲5.6% | $22,061,250▲0.2% | $35,297,450▲0.5% | 990 |
| 2013 | $47,658,114 | $45,444,761▼5.5% | $22,026,330▲22.7% | $35,139,312▲12.4% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $48,065,177▲3.4% | $17,948,881▼0.7% | $31,271,918▼10.1% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $46,488,116▲4.9% | $18,083,529▼27.7% | $34,800,815▼8.5% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $44,315,163 | $25,028,977 | $38,024,288 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Leadership & compensation (FY2024)
Highest-paid: Sean Garrett — $408,461 (0.84% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Garrett | President & Ceo | 37.5 | $408,461 |
| Ronald Denard | Chief Financial Officer | 37.5 | $287,910 |
| Kimberlee Guenther | Chief Impact Officer | 37.5 | $217,504 |
| Tamiya Aurel | Chief People & Culture Officer | 37.5 | $191,623 |
| Esther Franco-payne | Exec Director, Pspc | 37.5 | $185,159 |
| Jacquelyn Grimes | Vp, Marketing | 37.5 | $183,133 |
| Christopher Preston | Chief Development Officer | 37.5 | $179,588 |
| Richard Laplatt | Exec Director, 211 | 37.5 | $158,877 |
| Kevin Graan | Associate Vice President, Finance | 37.5 | $148,464 |
| Deborah Thornton | Ea/secretary (thru 09/24) | 37.5 | $104,226 |
| Elizabeth Lach - Chief | Development Officer (as of 09/2024) | 37.5 | $96,700 |
| Lissette Huertas | Ea/secretary (as of 10/24) | 37.5 | $75,738 |
| Alicia Ponce | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Bridget Gainer | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Carina Markel | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Darrel Hackett | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Darren Jones | Board Member (thru 06/2025) | 1 | — |
| David Blowers | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Derek Douglas | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Edward Mcgrogan | Board Member | 1 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2024)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Level-1 Global Solutions LLC | 211 Technical Buildout | $270,796 |
| 311 West Monroe Location LLC | 211 Lease | $220,374 |
| Alexandre Auguste | Consulting Services | $194,454 |
| Upic Solutions | Online Platform Services | $179,226 |
| Grant Thornton LLP | Audit & Consulting Services | $157,104 |
Grants received · $100.1M total
226 grants to United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc totaling $100.1M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $1,247,731 |
| Robert R Mccormick Foundation | 211 metro chicago helpline, fair chance hiring initiative, garfield park rite to wellness collaborative and sponsorship | 2024 | $647,500 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2024 | $606,623 |
| The Blackbaud Giving Fund | General support | 2024 | $548,212 |
| All Chicago Making Homelessness History | Case management | 2024 | $187,932 |
| United Way of Central Indiana Inc | Donor choice | 2024 | $85,514 |
| Minneapolis Foundation | Donor advised, general | 2024 | $53,000 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Community & human services | 2024 | $25,000 |
| Ayco Charitable Foundation | Community & human services | 2024 | $23,500 |
| Greater Kansas City Community Foundation | Human services | 2024 | $21,811 |
| Advocate Aurora Health Inc | Sponsor events | 2024 | $15,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $10,000 |
| Jewish Communal Fund | In furtherance of grantee's tax-exempt purpose | 2024 | $10,000 |
| The Chicago Community Trust | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | 2023 | $3,142,665 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2023 | $1,520,477 |
Grants made · $22.8M in FY2024
331 grants totaling $22.8M in FY2024 — showing the 15 largest. All grants made by United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Family Services | Program support | $2,038,325 |
| Brighton Park Neighborhood Council | Program support | $1,322,556 |
| Rush University Medical Center | Program support | $1,050,471 |
| Urban Growers Collective Inc | Program support | $1,000,000 |
| Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago | Program support | $786,602 |
| Rand Corporation | Program support | $639,543 |
| Cornerstone Community Development Corporation Nfp | Program support | $630,886 |
| Austin Coming Together | Program support | $623,953 |
| Latinos Progresando | Program support | $573,063 |
| Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago | Program support | $559,660 |
| Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation | Program support | $538,500 |
| Oai Inc | Program support | $514,588 |
| Evanston Community Foundation Inc | Program support | $509,000 |
| Teamwork Englewood | Program support | $485,000 |
| Claretian Associates Inc | Program support | $440,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
- Is United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 30-0200478, based in Chicago, Illinois. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc's EIN?
- United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 30-0200478.
- How much revenue does United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc report?
- United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc reported $47,075,947 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc's spending goes to programs?
- United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc spends about 84% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc have?
- CharityIndex grades United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc's latest Form 990 is $408,461, paid to Sean Garrett (President & Ceo).
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Data for United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc (EIN 30-0200478) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.