| United Way’s Venture Fund provides one-time funding for health and human service projects created to enhance the quality of life in Sangamon and Menard Counties. Eligible projects must be aligned with one or more of United Way’s funding areas, which are basic needs, education, financial stability and health. Projects must be administered by a non-profit organization with a 501(c)(3). Each year, 2% of the funds raised during United Way’s Annual Campaign are allocated to the Venture Fund.
Projects seeking venture funding are evaluated by a panel of volunteers responsible for developing a recommendation for United Way’s Board of Directors. Venture Fund applications are accepted and funding decisions are made anytime during the calendar year. For more information regarding United Way’s Venture Fund, please contact the Director of Community Impact. |
Past Venture Fund Grants 2022 FUSE Program at Helping Hands of Springfield – $25,000 2021 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois’ Mentor 2.0- $25,000 Wooden It Be Lovely’s Be Lovely Home and Boutique – $8,750 |
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2019 Springfield Public School District 186’s Camp Kindergarten: Ready, Set, Go! $22,731 Springfield Park District Summer Youth Employment Program – $6,580 |
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2018 Individual Advocacy Group – $9,500 YMCA’s Matthew Project Summer Camp Tutoring – $21,454 Pure Haven’s “Silencing the Pressure Cooker for Youth” Project- $5,259 |
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2017 One World, Many Cultures – $1,010 Real-Time Youth Monitoring and Responsive Intervention System – $25,000 |
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2016 Illinois Education Association’s Paper Tigers/ACES Event- $1,500 Children in Poverty Conference – $5,000 Health Fair hosted by African American History Museum |
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