United Way of Greater McHenry County, Inc.
Give Where You Live
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
United Way of Greater McHenry County has been investing in the local community for 54 years. What began as a community chest that helped raise dollars for local nonprofits so they could focus more on serving, United Way has stood the test of time as a reputable organization, raising over $56 million dollars to give back to McHenry County. United Way works to unite people and resources to build a stronger community. We have an unparalleled pulse on McHenry County’s most pressing issues and advocate heavily for our partner agencies who are working on the frontlines to make a difference. Our impact areas include mental health, health, homelessness, youth and children, adults 60 and over, and support & advocacy services! This year more than ever, our 33 partner agencies are counting on us to continue to raise even more money, so they can in turn focus on administering their essential programs.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
United Way of Greater McHenry County Grant Allocations
United Way of Greater McHenry County is an independent organization, governed by a local, volunteer board of directors.
Funds raised during UWGMC's annual campaign support over 48 human service programs serving people in need in McHenry County. These programs are offered through 33 agency partners and cover a broad range of services spanning the whole life cycle, including adult day health, and nutrition programs, child care, scouting, individual, family, alcohol and substance abuse counseling, delinquency prevention, and emergency food and shelter.
UWGMC also funds the 2-1-1 Community Help Line, a 24/7 support center linking residents to resources.
Fund Development and Distribution
Raise money for local health and human service organizations.
Ride United Last Mile Delivery
We partner with food pantries to provide them with the ability to offer free deliveries of pantry groceries and other household necessities to individuals who cannot reach the pantry during their operating hours due to physical, financial, or transportation constraints. This program also delivers food for the local middle school backpack program through the schools that provides food for children in need over the weekends. We enter the information into the Door Dash portal and take care of all funding and trouble shooting.
Where we work
External reviews

Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of people within the organization's service area accessing food aid
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
We launched the Ride United Last Mile Delivery program to provide access to food pantries through free deliveries using the Door Dash platform.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
United Way of Greater McHenry County unites people and resources to build a stronger community. Our key impact areas include addressing homelessness, mental health, senior citizens, youth, healthcare and advocacy and support services. Our ultimate goal is that every health and human service need in McHenry County is met.
This year more than ever, our 33 partner agencies are counting on us to continue to raise even more money, so they can in turn focus on administering their essential programs. They are working hard to provide services to clients and have seen an increase in numbers. With the cancellation of events and fundraising activities, they aren’t able to sustain in the long-run. That is the beauty of United Way and why our services are so critical. Our organization acts as an umbrella. We work to fundraise on their behalf, collecting donations and allocating them in a fiscally responsible manner. Companies and individuals can make one donation to our United Way and touch so many nonprofits and community members.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our main strategy would be to support our local nonprofit partner agencies by fundraising so they can do the critical work of helping clients and meeting their needs. In turn, our main focus is fundraising to be able to grant dollars each spring to these nonprofits. We work to fundraise with companies doing a payroll deduction, a small business pledge program, direct mail, sponsorships and community fundraisers.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Our organization has four dedicated employees who focus strongly on fundraising, as well as communicating the needs to the community every day through their work. We partner with local CEO's, businesses and community leaders to inspire them to run a workplace campaign, showcase the resources available to employees and encourage them to give back and give where they live.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Our footprint in McHenry County grows stronger every year! We have seen an increase in donations the last three years, as well as our presence in McHenry County. Our organization is respected among our community members and we are one of the top fundraisers in the county. Our residents know that we believe in Community First!
The United Way of Greater McHenry County anticipated an urgent community need in March 2020, in response to the unfolding COVID-19 health crisis. With a long-standing history of working closely with and fundraising for local nonprofits, United Way recognized the dire affect this would have on the community. They immediately took initiative, engaging the Community Foundation, to launch the McHenry County Community COVID-19 Response Fund.
This pandemic is a real-time picture of the increased challenges that families across McHenry County face every day, and why United Way of Greater McHenry County is vital in helping to raise funds. Our region’s health and human service organizations immediately saw a surge in demand for services from neighbors and communities significantly impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak. United Way knew the need was critical and that these nonprofits needed resources to continue to operate at the highest capacity.
The Response Fund provides a place for philanthropists, corporations and individuals to contribute, with 100 percent of every donation being granted out. With United Way of Greater McHenry County’s help and a strong relationship with the State of Illinois, over $730,000 has been raised to-date. The first two rounds of funding, totaling $500,000 were granted to 27 eligible organizations who applied and fit the criteria.
The United Way is still seeking donations as another surge threatens our community. Over $230,000 is available for a third round of funding which will be distributed in the next six months as the needs evolve.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
United Way of Greater McHenry County, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 08/01/2023
Ms. Georgia Majors
Self Employed
Term: 2023 - 2025
Mrs. Becky Kirchner
ReMax Plaza
Term: 2023 - 2025
Georgia Majors
Self Employed
Chris Sosnowski
Waterly
Becky Kirchner
ReMax Plaza
Walter Ripple
Avient
Adam Harville
McHenry Bank & Trust
Dan Fetty
Raymond James
Rick Rischall
Business Banking
Jessica Bitterman
Follett Learning
Shawna Brea
CEO Studios
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data