Each year, the Heart of Illinois United Way’s Community Impact Fund helps 100,000 people in central Illinois with their education, financial stability and health needs.
Through more than 80 funded programs at our partner agencies, along with special initiatives and collaborations that include the 2-1-1 Information and Referral Service, Success By 6, Supporting Student Success, and the Heart of Illinois Homeless Continuum of Care, the Community Impact Fund positions the Heart of Illinois United Way as the largest, local organization to invest in critical health and human care programs.
Last year, more than 300 local companies and organizations participated in the Heart of Illinois United Way’s annual campaign. With the support of the local businesses, labor organizations, government, nonprofit organizations and individuals, the 2018 campaign included 24 new corporate gifts, 21 increased corporate gifts, 29 new workplace campaigns, and 71 increased workplace campaigns. Investments in the Heart of Illinois United Way’s 2018 Campaign totaled $10,322,920.
“Just like when we depend on a broker for expertise in navigating the stock market, the Heart of Illinois United Way is constantly evaluating data and collaborating with community partners to ensure personal and corporate contributions to the United Way have the greatest return on investment. Collectively, our current fund allocation volunteers represent more than 500 years of experience determining the best return on investment for United Way contributions.,” Jennifer Zammuto, President, said.
Donations to the Heart of Illinois United Way Community Impact Fund result in more than 80 percent of youth in United Way funded education programs improving school readiness and go on to achieve academic success; more than 85 percent of low-income individuals, families, seniors and persons with developmental disabilities are able to live independently in affordable homes; and more than 85 percent of adults and youth improve their overall physical and mental health.
“Most importantly, we need to remember at the end of all of our fundraising efforts are real people who are living in challenging situations and need the support of our partner agencies and schools to positively change their lives. For us to continuously raise millions of dollars every year to support our grant allocation process, we sincerely appreciate the generosity and support of central Illinois,” Zammuto added.
Since 2012, the Heart of Illinois United Way has presented two new campaign awards, the Best in Class Award and Campaign Achievement Award, to recognize outstanding workplace campaigns.
The Best in Class Award is based on employee participation in the workplace campaign, per capita giving and overall percent increase in contributions. This award recognizes a local organization who continuously demonstrates campaign excellence from year to year. Our annual Best in Class Award goes to Commerce Bank for the second time since 2015. Based on employee participation in the workplace campaign, per capita giving and overall percent increase in contributions, the team at Commerce Bank did an outstanding job of engaging employees at all of their branches. Campaign Coordinators Sara Palmer and Kenneth Baker hosted a variety of special events for employees and their families. Under the leadership of CEO Brent Eichelberger, the banks’ campaign participation rate was 93 percent in 2018.
Commerce Bank Receives 2018 Best in Class Award
L-R: Erik Christian, United Way Board Member; Jennifer Zammuto, United Way President; Jon Williams, President of Commerce Bank Peoria; Brent Eichelberger, CEO of Commerce Bank Illinois; and Abby Clark, United Way Board Chair.
The Campaign Achievement Award recognizes a campaign that had the largest percentage increase in employee participation. This year’s recipient is Mexichem Specialty Resins from Henry, Illinois who had a 47 percent increase in employee contributions and an overall 29 percent increase in their campaign. Campaign Coordinator Nathan Adlington held breakfast meetings for staff with guest speakers who spoke about how the Heart of Illinois United Way is hard at work throughout all six counties in the area. Several employees participated in our poverty simulations along with having fun at company events.
Mexichem Receives 2018 Achievement Award
L-R: Erik Christian, United Way Board Member; Jennifer Zammuto, United Way President; John McKinley, Plant Manager of Mexichem; and Abby Clark, United Way Board Chair.
A few campaign increases from the 2018 Campaign include:
- Commerce Bank – 7% increase
- Costco – 16% increase
- Farnsworth Group, Inc. – 31% increase
- Federal Companies – 21% increase
- Fortress Bank – 113% increase
- Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois – 32% increase
- Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen, P.C. – 13% increase –
- GFG Alliance/Liberty Steel (Keystone) – 20% increase
- Komatsu America Corp.- 4% increase
- Mexichem Specialty Resins – 29% increase
- OSF HealthCare – 3% increase
- Peoria County Employees – 7% increase
The 2019 Heart of Illinois United Way Campaign will be chaired by Patrick Urich with the City of Peoria and Brooke Spellman with Abt Associates.
Contributions to the Heart of Illinois United Way stay in central Illinois supporting vital health and human care programs throughout Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Stark, Marshall and Putnam counties.