The Community Impact Fund
One donation makes a big difference.
Our community faces complex challenges in healthcare, education and employment. These challenges don't have easy answers and have lasted months, years, and even generations.
To address our community’s most persistent and systemic problems, we must have an organized, proven strategy: we call it Community Impact.
Through Community Impact, we are re-imagining a more equitable and resilient community - one where more of our students are graduating prepared for success at college or on the job, more local families are financially stable and more neighbors are living healthy lives.
Our Community Impact Strategy has three parts:
- The Community Initiative process provides resources to launch new and innovative programming
- Community Impact Grants support high-quality local programs that have a track record of creating change
- Community Building raises awareness, mobilizes volunteers, creates partnerships, and advocates to address critical issues
Each year, more and more supporters are maximizing the impact of their United Way donation by giving to the Community Impact Fund.
Download this information as a PDF.
Health
Without the basic necessities and health care, life can become an unstable game of barely surviving. United Way believes that every person, family and community should have the essentials they need to have a stable, healthy life—and to thrive.
By making it easier for individuals to access mental health programs, receive quality health care and access nutritious foods, we’re fighting to help everyone get—and stay—healthy.
In 2020-2021, the Community Impact Fund will invest $509,977 to improve health outcomes in our four target areas: access to healthcare, access to healthy food, independent living and safety.
Access to Healthcare
Goal: People will have improved physical and behavioral health
In 2020-2021, we are investing $234,250 into six area programs that fight to improve physical and behavioral health.
| Promise Healthcare | Medical Care for Low Income Adults |
| Promise Healthcare | Medical Care for Low Income Children |
| Promise Healthcare | SmileHealthy Dental Center |
| Rape Advocacy, Counseling & Education Services | Sexual Violence Prevention Education |
| Rosecrance Champaign/Urbana | New Beginnings Program |
| The Center for Youth and Family Solutions | Family Counseling |
Access to Healthy Food
Goal: People will have access to nutritional food
In 2020-2021, we are investing $52,500 into three area programs that fight to improve access to healthy food.
| Eastern Illinois Foodbank | Champaign County Food Fund |
| Family Service of Champaign County | Meals on Wheels |
| SBL Peace Meal | Champaign County Home Delivered Meals |
Independent Living
Goal: People remain living independently through all phases of life
In 2020-2021, we are investing $150,102 into six area programs that help people live independent lives.
| Community Service Center of Northern Chamapaign County | The Resource Connection |
| Daily Bread Soup Kitchen | Assistance |
| Developmental Services Center | Community Living |
| Family Service of Champaign County | HomeCare |
| Family Service of Champaign County | Senior Counseling and Advocacy |
| Family Service of Champaign County | Senior Transportation |
Safety
Goal: People will be safe from harm
In 2020-2021, we are investing $73,125 into two area programs that build safety.
| Champaign County CASA | Victim Advocate Program |
| Crisis Nursery | Safe Children and Strong Families |
Education
Success in life begins with a quality education. And yet, thousands of children and youth lack the support they need to strengthen their literacy, stay on track in school, graduate high school and find a career.
We’re fighting to shift the odds so tomorrow’s leaders can build a better foundation today. With an approach to education that spans from cradle to career, we’re ensuring every child gets a strong start in life, teenagers have the tools to learn and grow, and young adults thrive in the job market.
In 2020-2021, the Community Impact Fund will invest $525,275 to improve education outcomes in our three target areas: childhood success, grade level success, and high school graduation.
Childhood Success
Goal: Children will enter kindergarten making developmental progress.
Kindergarten readiness is critical for long-term success in school. But 76% of Illinois kindergartners enter school needing additional supports in literacy, social-emotional, or math skills.
We fight for every child to have an equitable start in school. In Champaign County, we provide free Getting Ready for Kindergarten Calendars in English, Spanish and French to over 8,000 families. Our Emerging Community Leaders have installed four Born Learning Trails in parks across the community.
In 2020-2021, we are investing $140,300 into three area programs that fight to improve childhood success.
| Champaign County Regional Planning Commission | Head Start/Early Head Start Ready! for Kindergarten |
| Developmental Services Center | Family Development |
| DREAAM House | DREAAM Kindergarten Success Program |
Grade Level Success
GOAL: Students will demonstrate academic progress.
In 2020-2021, we are investing $294,750 into seven area programs that help students improve academically.
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois | Community-Based Mentoring |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois | School and Community Based Mentoring |
| Don Moyer Boys and Girls club | Academic Support Program |
| Mahomet Area Youth Club | MAYC Jr. High Program |
| Rantoul City Schools #137 | After School Programming |
| Urbana Neighborhood Connections Center | Community Study Center |
| Urbana Neighborhood Connections Center | Intensive Literacy and Homework Assistance Program |
High School Graduation
GOAL: Students will graduate on time with skills for post-secondary success.
In 2020-2021, we are investing $90,225 into two area programs that help children graduate with a plan for their future.
| Champaign Community Unit School District #4 | Operation Hope |
| Urbana School District #116 DBA Urbana Adult Education | APL-GED-HSCR Program |
Financial Stability
Chronic unemployment. Financial illiteracy. Homelessness. Individuals and families are facing financial and systemic obstacles that prevent a good quality of life.
We’re fighting to put every person on a path toward financial empowerment. That starts with access to services, job training, credit counseling and money management programs.
In 2020-2021, the Community Impact Fund will invest $325,684 to improve financial stability outcomes in our three target areas: financial literacy, stable housing, and workforce development.
Financial Literacy
GOAL: People will improve their socioeconomic status
In 2020-2021, we are investing $130,534 into five area programs that help people understand their finances and build a plan for their future.
| Courage Connection | Project Empower |
| CRIS Healthy Aging | Tax + Options Counseling |
| The Refugee Center (formerly ECIRMAC) | Support for Immigrant Families |
| Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County | Financial Capability Program |
| Land of Lincoln Legal Aid | Legal Help with Champaign County Public Benefits |
Stable Housing
Goal: People will have access to safe and secure housing
In 2020-2021, we are investing $112,650 into three area programs focused on stable housing.
| Champaign County Regional Planning Commission | Bridge to Subsidized Housing Utility Assistance Program |
| Champaign County Regional Planning Commission | Emergency Shelter for Families |
| Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Incorporated | Legal Help for Champaign County Homeowners |
Workforce Development
Goal: People will build skills to earn and retain employment
In 2020-2021, we are investing $82,500 into two area programs that help people connect with a career.
| Cunningham Children's Home | Cunningham Vocational Options Program |
| Urbana School District #116 DBA Urbana Adult Education | Certified Nursing Assistant Program (CNA) |