What kinds of programs does United Way of Central Illinois Inc. fund?

Recent grants support youth education, mentoring, emergency shelter, meal provision, and community health navigation. Examples in the record include summer and after-school programming for homeless and low-income elementary students, comprehensive mentoring, emergency shelter and provisions, and free nutritious meals through St. John’s Breadline.

What is the typical grant size?

The distribution centers in the low tens of thousands: p25 is $23,517, median grant size is $31,250, and p75 is $45,750. Some awards are larger, including multiple grants above $90,000 for youth programs and mentoring.

Does the foundation fund only one-time projects or ongoing support?

The record shows both. Its philosophy tags include restricted/project-based funding and ongoing operational support for multiple service lines, and repeated awards to the same organizations across 2023, 2024, and 2025 show recurring support in practice.

Where are grants awarded?

The portfolio is entirely local. All 105 grants in the recipient country distribution went to the US, and 100% of grants were made to recipients in Illinois. Recent awards are concentrated in Springfield and the broader Central Illinois service area.

Are there open grant programs with unsolicited applications?

Yes. The Nonprofit Knowledge Network accepts unsolicited submissions, and the 2026–2029 Community Funds and Community Investment Grants programs also list unsolicited applications as accepted. The competitive 2026–2029 community investment cycle is tied to measurable goals and annual reporting requirements.

United Way of Central Illinois

Name: United Way of Central Illinois — grants, 990 financials & funding data
Creator: Kindora

ActivePhilanthropy & Voluntarism

SPRINGFIELD, ILWebsite2177267000

About United Way of Central Illinois

United Way mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive.

Focus Areas

early childhood & youth educationmental and behavioral healthfinancial stability & employmentcrisis response and community resiliency211 resource navigationliteracy (Dolly Parton's Imagination Library)

Who They Fund

homeless individuals and families (including women with children)low-income elementary school children (K-5)youth transitioning from homelessness / formerly homeless individualsolder adults / seniors

Funding Style

About United Way of Central Illinois

United Way of Central Illinois Inc. concentrates its funding on local Springfield-area services that move families from immediate need toward long-term stability. The recent grant record shows a strong pattern of support for homeless and low-income elementary school children through Compass for Kids, including Camp Compass and Club Compass, alongside recurring investments in mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois. The foundation also backs emergency shelter, nutritious meals, and community health navigation. Sojourn Shelter and Services received support for adult and children emergency shelter and provisions, while Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Springfield was funded for St. John’s Breadline, described as providing free, well balanced, nutritious meals 365 days a year. Another line of giving reaches coordinated care through SIU Center for Family Medicine, reflecting an emphasis on connecting residents to services. Across these grants, the pattern is practical and service-oriented: direct program delivery, wraparound support, and repeated funding for organizations serving children, families, and older adults in Central Illinois.

What United Way of Central Illinois Funds

Youth education is a core area for the foundation. Compass for Kids Inc. received $93,804 in 2025 for Camp Compass, a summer program for elementary school age children who are homeless and low-income, and $74,220 in 2025 for Club Compass, a free after-school program for the same population. Mentoring is another clear priority. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois was awarded $57,346 in 2025 for comprehensive mentoring that includes school-based and community-based support, and $45,000 in 2025 for Mentor 2.0. Basic needs also show up consistently in recent awards. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Springfield received $48,000 in 2025 for St. John’s Breadline, and Sojourn Shelter and Services received $50,000 in 2025 for adult and children emergency shelter and provisions. The foundation also supports community health connection work through SIU Center for Family Medicine.

How United Way of Central Illinois Gives

Typical awards cluster in the mid-five-figure range: p25 is $23,517, the median is $31,250, and p75 is $45,750. Recent grants also include larger allocations above $90,000 for youth programs such as Camp Compass and comprehensive mentoring. The record shows recurring support across multiple years for several recipients, including Compass for Kids, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois, Sojourn Shelter and Services, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Springfield, and SIU Center for Family Medicine. The foundation uses restricted, project-based funding and ongoing operational support across multiple service lines. Two active grant programs are open to unsolicited submissions, while the 2026–2029 community investment cycle is competitive and tied to measurable goals and annual reporting requirements.

Financial Snapshot

Annual Giving

$996K

Total Assets

$8.8M

Total Revenue

$2.4M

Total Expenses

$2.1M

Typical Grant Size

Most grants fall between $24K and $46K, with a median of $31K.

25th Percentile

$24K

Median

$31K

75th Percentile

$46K

Geographic Reach

Local1 state funded

Funding intensity

Low

High

Headquarters

Leadership

MARNE FAUSER

Accepts unsolicited proposals

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Recipient	Location	Amount	Year	Purpose
COMPASS FOR KIDS INC	SPRINGFIELD, IL	$93,804	2026	CAMP COMPASS - A SUMMER PROGRAM FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN FOR HOMLESS AND LOW-INCOME
COMPASS FOR KIDS INC	SPRINGFIELD, IL	$74,220	2026	CLUB COMPASS - A FREE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS AND LOW INCOME ELEMENTARY STUDENTS
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS	SPRINGFIELD, IL	$50,000	2026	PROJECT LEARN - AN OUT OF SCHOOL TIME EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT AIME AS BRIDGING THE GAP

United Way of Central Illinois

About United Way of Central Illinois

Focus Areas

Who They Fund

Funding Style

About United Way of Central Illinois

What United Way of Central Illinois Funds

How United Way of Central Illinois Gives

Financial Snapshot

Typical Grant Size

Geographic Reach

Leadership

Deep Analysis

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Where United Way of Central Illinois Makes Grants

Frequently Asked Questions About United Way of Central Illinois

What kinds of programs does United Way of Central Illinois Inc. fund?

What is the typical grant size?

Does the foundation fund only one-time projects or ongoing support?

Where are grants awarded?

Are there open grant programs with unsolicited applications?

Open Grant Opportunities

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (Local EFSP)

Recent Grants

United Way of Central Illinois

About United Way of Central Illinois

Focus Areas

Who They Fund

Funding Style

About United Way of Central Illinois

What United Way of Central Illinois Funds

How United Way of Central Illinois Gives

Financial Snapshot

Typical Grant Size

Geographic Reach

Leadership

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See Similar Funders

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The Grant Brief

Topics

Where United Way of Central Illinois Makes Grants

Frequently Asked Questions About United Way of Central Illinois

What kinds of programs does United Way of Central Illinois Inc. fund?

What is the typical grant size?

Does the foundation fund only one-time projects or ongoing support?

Where are grants awarded?

Are there open grant programs with unsolicited applications?

Open Grant Opportunities

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (Local EFSP)

Recent Grants