The primary focus of the 2026 Heart of Illinois United Way Community Assessment is to improve the organization’s effectiveness in identifying, assessing, and supporting key areas of social concern related to the education, financial stability, and health of all people in central Illinois.
- Researched and published every three years since 2005, the Heart of Illinois United Way Community Assessment evaluates issues and trends impacting the community through primary and secondary data.
- The primary focus of the 2026 Heart of Illinois United Way Community Assessment is to improve the organization’s effectiveness in identifying, assessing, and supporting key areas of social concern.
- The organization’s three impact areas – education, financial stability, and health – are highly interdependent, as any one of the three ultimately impacts the other two.
- The assessment is integral to the Heart of Illinois United Way’s data-driven process for prioritizing and addressing community needs through program indicators and measurable outcomes.
- The Heart of Illinois United Way then collaborates with partner agencies and a wide variety of community partners to address critical needs.
Click here to download the 2026 Assessment
COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT PREPARED BY:
- Dr. Laurence G. Weinzimmer, Caterpillar Inc. Professor of Leadership
- Gina Edwards, VP Marketing and Community Engagement, Heart of Illinois United Way
