With our dollar-for-dollar match, the Unity Challenge gives you a way to make a genuine difference in thousands of lives close to home. In 2011, the Trust distributed $2 million from the Unity Challenge to 37 nonprofit agencies and programs that addressed the greatest needs in the community.
How are your dollars helping to protect Chicago?
- $151,000 to the Emergency Fund to provide immediate financial assistance like paying a family's rent for one month to prevent them from becoming homeless, or covering a car repair bill so that an employed person can keep a job.
- $18,300 for an agency to purchase 1,000 winter coats for children.
- $790,000 to agencies addressing the foreclosure crisis. Funding supports education and direct support for more than 80,000 people and families that are currently facing foreclosure.
- $367,700 to 13 agencies providing shelter and services for the homeless.
- $238,000 to food pantries and soup kitchens to help meet the increase in demand, provide nutritional alternatives in food deserts, and help pantry clients meet other needs such as housing and employment.
- $320,000 to support social service agencies as they develop new service models in response to state budget cuts.
- $115,000 for legal assistance to low-income clients facing evictions, or seeking legal aid when facing domestic violence.
And there's more. Your dollars are providing services to people with disabilities and those in need of health services—just as state budget cuts are taking critical services away. Join the fight
Unity Challenge: Building a legacy of hope
In 2010, the Trust distributed over $3 million from the Unity Challenge to over 70 nonprofit agencies and programs that addressed the greatest needs in the community:
- 2,600,000 pounds of food distributed to hungry families—that's more than 2 million meals
- Power to 51 homeless shelters through emergency generators that will help keep the doors open all winter
- 120,000 households in foreclosure given counseling and load-modification services
- Eye care for 2,500 children and adults without health insurance
- 1,000 winter coats to keep children warm
- 6,000 seniors at risk given emergency aid and help applying for public benefits
In 2009, the Trust distributed grants from the Unity Challenge to over 170 nonprofit agencies and programs that addressed the greatest needs in the community:
- Over 1 million meals provided through a network of 630 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters
- Over 500,000 shelter nights made available for homeless individuals and families
- 1,000 homeowners protected from foreclosure
- 1,600 renters in foreclosed buildings received housing services
- Over 7,000 low-income working families facing bankruptcy, eviction, medical and credit debts received legal aid services
- 155,000 uninsured individuals received treatment at 15 community health centers
- 26,500 seniors received assistance obtaining public benefits valued at more than $80 million to pay for food, medical care and housing
- 50,000 people affected by domestic violence received legal aid, counseling and case management
- Up to 100 individuals with severe developmental disabilities supported in transitioning to community living centers following the closure of the Howe Developmental Center in Tinley Park
- 375 low-income families received emergency aid for urgent needs, such as rent or utility bills
See all the agencies that received grants from the Unity Challenge.
