United Response Fund (Metro Chicago)

United Response Fund (Metro Chicago) is sponsored by United Way of Metro Chicago. Disburses grant funding to immediately address food insecurity across the Chicago region (Chicago, suburban Cook County, DuPage County and Kane County).

of the page as possible: --> United Way Launches Response Fund - United Way of Metro Chicago United Way Launches Response Fund United Way of Metro Chicago Launches Response Fund Amid Dramatic Rise in Food Insecurity With food requests to 211 Metro Chicago up 149%, the fund awarded 24 grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 to direct service providers addressing food insecurity in the Chicago region.

CHICAGO, IL - November 24, 2025 – Today, United Way of Metro Chicago announced the launch of its Response Fund and disbursement of $250,000 in grant funding to immediately address food insecurity across the Chicago region.

The fund was created to rapidly deploy resources to community-based organizations addressing urgent and emerging needs in the region—currently access to food, home delivery services and financial assistance for food and household expenses—as identified by data collected through 211 Metro Chicago, the free, 24/7 social services helpline for residents of Chicago and suburban Cook County.

“Since United Way launched 211 Metro Chicago in January 2023, it has been abundantly clear that there is an opportunity to utilize contact center data to inform and expedite basic needs response in our community,” said Sean Garrett, president and CEO of United Way of Metro Chicago.

“The United Way of Metro Chicago Response Fund is just one way we are working to address the increased need in real time, while continuing to work together with our partners across the business, government, philanthropic and nonprofit communities to support the broader social safety net and help our neighbors thrive.

” With the delay in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits distribution due to the government shutdown and the local expansion of home delivery services, the need for food support has increased dramatically.

United Way saw a 149% increase in food assistance requests to 211 Metro Chicago in the first two weeks of November as compared to the first two weeks of October, building on an already steep 43% month-over-month increase from September to October. This real-time insight catalyzed the fund’s launch, and United Way invited established direct service providers specifically addressing food insecurity to apply for this inaugural round.

The Response Fund awarded grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 to 24 organizations across Chicago, suburban Cook County, DuPage County and Kane County. The simple, accelerated process required only a 20-minute application from invited organizations, with awards disbursed to recipients just 14 days after the fund opened.

“Rising prices, delays or cuts to essential benefits and other obstacles have exacerbated an already unprecedented need for food in our community,” said Maribel Martinez, director of community partnerships for Brighton Park Neighborhood Council. “Our team has not wavered, remaining hard at work and leveraging the support from donors, Neighborhood Network partners and volunteers to continue providing for as many families as we can.

We’re especially grateful for partners like United Way—this Response Fund grant will go a long way to help us feed our neighbors today and keep our region's social safety net functioning for tomorrow.

” Response Fund grants will remain short-term, driven by 2-1-1 data and responsive to varying focus areas—contact center outreach also indicates an increase in requests for health care support (up 78% year-over-year) and employment services (up 84%), and typical top needs include housing/shelter and utility assistance.

While the Response Fund will address immediate, ad hoc needs, United Way’s annual basic needs grants will continue to provide sustained support to direct service organizations in neighborhoods with the highest need. The Response Fund builds on a number of existing partnerships that leverage 2-1-1 data to remove barriers to basic needs for Chicago-area residents.

211 Metro Chicago and the Greater Chicago Food Depository use Vivery, a digital tool that facilitates information sharing between the helpline and the food bank, to keep both organizations apprised of the latest need and resource availability data by refreshing 2-1-1’s system every few hours, eliminating the need for staff Resource Navigators to reach out to pantries independently.

2-1-1 also shares resource data with the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development and the City of Chicago Department of Family & Support Services to further connect residents and families with critical social services that allow them to thrive.

The 24 organizations receiving Response Fund grants are Beyond Hunger, Breakthrough Urban Ministries, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Chicago, Cornerstone Community Development Corporation, Enlace Chicago, GAP Community Center, Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN), Inspiration Corporation, La Casa Norte, Loaves and Fishes, Meals on Wheels Chicago (Chicago Fund on Aging and Disability), New Life Centers (Pan de Vida), Northern Illinois Food Bank, Nourishing Hope, Onward Neighborhood House, People's Resource Center, Pilsen Food Pantry (Figueroa Wu Family Foundation), Respond Now, Restoration Ministries Inc., Salvation Army, St.

Sabina Church, Together We Cope and Youth Crossroads Inc. The United Way of Metro Chicago Response Fund was seeded with generous support from the philanthropic community, led by The Chicago Community Trust and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

About United Way of Metro Chicago United Way of Metro Chicago brings together business, government, philanthropic, individual and community leaders to deliver funding and resources while amplifying the expertise of nonprofit organizations across greater Chicago. We help individuals meet their basic needs and work alongside neighborhood partners to address local priorities and create communities where all people can thrive.

United, we are building a stronger Chicago region. Visit LIVEUNITEDchicago. org to learn more.

211 Metro Chicago is a 24/7/365 helpline connecting Cook County residents to health and social service resources. 211 Metro Chicago is operated by United Way of Metro Chicago and launched with support from the City of Chicago, Cook County, philanthropic partners and the 211 Metro Chicago Advisory and Executive Boards composed of business, civic, charitable and social service organizations.

United Way of Metro Chicago mobilizes private, philanthropic and public sector support to help individuals meet their basic needs and works to support transformation in neighborhoods across the Chicago region. Visit 211MetroChicago. org 211MetroChicago.

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