Supporting local nonprofit organizations serving our community’s most vulnerable neighbors.
The region’s health and human service organizations are experiencing a surge in demand for services from neighbors and communities significantly impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.
It’s critical that these organizations have the resources they need to continue to operate at the highest capacity. Your donation will support the agencies that are ensuring our neighbors can access basic needs in this time of crisis.
About the Will County COVID-19 Response Fund
The Will County COVID-19 Response Fund is an extension of our Will County Disaster & Community Crisis Fund, which was created in the aftermath of the devastating Plainfield Tornado. The COVID-19 Response Fund will unite local funds raised by companies, individuals and civic partners and disbursed to local, nonprofit organizations serving our Will County residents.
As we are individually taking steps to protect our own families, workplaces and neighborhoods from the effects of the virus, let’s not forget the impact this will have on our neighbors. Missing paychecks, the inability to pay rent, and lack of food access and essential cleaning/sanitizing supplies are realities that many in our county will have to face in the coming weeks. Please join us in supporting our neighbors across Will County and the surrounding suburbs.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What will my donation support?
Your donation will help provide increased access to emergency food and basic supplies, rent and mortgage assistance, utility assistance, direct financial assistance for household supplies, and nonprofit safety and operations assistance.
Can a family apply for resources from the Fund?
All funds will be allocated to local nonprofit organizations who will provide services and supplies. Nonprofit agencies will be granted funds as available, and those awarded funds will be announced. Individuals and families in need of support should check back for updates.
Will all of the money donated go to the local community?
Yes. Other than a small credit card processing fee taken out directly by the credit card processor, 100% of all donations will go directly to support services and supplies for those in need.
What organizations will receive funds?
In order to help the community navigate available resources, we will publish the list of Fund recipients as soon as possible, along with a short description of the services and support they are providing. Check back for updates.
Can I designate my donation to a specific organization?
The Will County COVID-19 Response Fund is a general fund to support those most in need. We encourage you to give directly to any specific health and human service providers you would like to support.
Can I give from my donor advised fund?
Yes! Please recommend a grant through your donor advised fund sponsor to United Way of Will County, with the stated purpose Will County COVID-19 Response Fund and indicate who it is from.
Thank you to Response Fund Partners:
Community Foundation of Will County, Meijer Stores, Friends of Pat McGuire, First Midwest Bank, IL COVID-19 Response Fund, Anonymous Corporation (1), 34 individual donors as of 4/6
Thank you to Response Fund In-Kind Partners:
Magid Glove, Diageo, Koval, Wal-Mart, Bag Lady Outreach, Mary Kay
Grants Awarded
4/15/2020: Grants Awarded in Phase 1 Total $250,000!
4 KIDS Sake: 4 KIDS Sake Food Pantry
Alicia’s House: Emergency Food Program
Bags of Hope: Bags of Hope Youth Food Distribution
Bridges to a New Day, nfp: Darlene’s Program (children’s mental health)
Community Service Council of Northern Will County: Clinical Counseling & Housing Counseling
Crisis Center for South Suburbia: Emergency Hotel Placement of Shelter Clients
Easterseals Joliet Region, Inc.: Adults with Developmental Disabilities Isolated due to Covid-19
Forest Park Community Center: Family Empowerment/Food pantry
G.W. Buck Boys & Girls Club: Emergency Meal Service & Community Needs Program
Hands of Hope of Illinois: basic Needs–Emergency Food
Heart Haven OutReach: “Real Life” and “Talk It Out” – Support group programs for teens
Illinois Partners in Hope NFP: Food Rescue Program
Kuzma Care Cottage: Kuzma Care Cottage Food Pantry
Living Manna Food Pantry: Living Manna Food Pantry
MorningStar Mission Ministries Inc.: COVID19 Emergency Shelter and Care Program
New Song Health Center dba Bolingbrook Christian Health Center: COVID-19 testing, care and telemedicine
Northern Illinois Food Bank: Food Acquisition and Distribution in Will County, IL
Senior Services of Will County: Basic Needs and Supports to Keep Seniors “Safe at Home”
Spanish Community Center: SCC COVID19 Community Fund Emergency Grants
Warren-Sharpe Community Center: Food Pantry
West Suburban Community Pantry: Food for Will County Residents
Will-Grundy Medical Clinic: Will-Grundy Medical Clinic – telehealth and prescriptions assistance
5/8/2020: Grants Awarded in Phase 2 Total $100,000
Alicia’s House: Emergency Food Program
BAG Lady Outreach: Bag Lady Outreach COVID-19 Relief Program – basic need care bags
Hands of Hope of Illinois: basic Needs–Emergency Food
Holsten Human Capital Development NFP: River Walk H.E.A.L. Food Pantry
Illinois Partners in Hope NFP: Food Rescue Program
Living Manna Food Pantry: Living Manna Food Pantry
Loaves & Fishes Community Services: Emergency Food Distribution
Northern Illinois Food Bank: Food Acquisition and Distribution in Will County, IL
Prayer Tower Ministries: We Care Ministry meals for homeless
Senior Services of Will County: Basic Needs and Supports to Keep Seniors “Safe at Home”
SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN IMMIGRANT PROJECT (SSIP): COVID-19 SSIP Family Solidarity Fund and Emergency Grants
The Salvation Army Food Pantry
West Suburban Community Pantry: Food for Will Country Residents
6/4/2020: Grants Awarded in Phase 3 Total $400,000
Lady Outreach: Bag Lady Outreach COVID-19 Relief Program – basic need care bags
CASA of River Valley: CASA of River Valley Advocate Support
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet: Emergency Service-Homeless Prevention
Community Service Council of Northern Will County: Clinical Counseling & Housing Counseling
Cornerstone Services, Inc. Keeping Residential Clients Safe
Crisis Center for South Suburbia: Emergency Hotel Placement of Shelter Clients
Crisis Line of Will County: Crisis Line Service’s (Info/Referral, Telephone Counseling, Suicide Prevention and Intervention and Reassurance Calls
Easterseals Joliet Region, Inc: Essential Telehealth for Children’s Allied Health Services through Easterseals
G.W. Buck Boys & Girls Club of Joliet: Alternate/Virtual Summer Session& Emergency Meal Program
Guardian Angel Community Services: Guardian Angel Community Services Domestic Violence and Foster Care Programs
Hands of Hope of Illinois: basic Needs–Emergency Food
Heart Haven OutReach: H2O Virtual Summer Programing
Heroin Epidemic Relief Organization (HERO): Emergency Substance Abuse Prevention
Holsten Human Capital Development NFP: River Walk H.E.A.L. Food Pantry
Illinois Partners in Hope NFP: Emergency food programs
IL-WI Sertoma Regional Center for Communicative Disorders: Hearing Healthcare Services
Indian Prairie Educational Foundation: Kid Essentials Fund
Living Manna Food Pantry: Living Manna Food Pantry
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois: Shady Oaks Group Home
MorningStar Mission Ministries Inc.: COVID19 Emergency Shelter and Care Program – Phase 3
New Song Health Center dba Bolingbrook Christian Health Center: COVID-19 Response Fund – medical care to those in need
One Love Global Wellness: Mission Meals–providing food for the families in need
Providence Life Services: Senior Citizen Coronavirus Protection efforts
Respond Now: Respond Now Food Pantry
SOS Children’s Villages Illinois: Sibling Foster Care
South Suburban PADS: SSPADS COVID-19 Response Funding
SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN IMMIGRANT PROJECT (SSIP): COVID-19 SSIP Family Solidarity Fund
Spanish Community Center: Food Pantry and SCC COVID19 Community Fund
St. Coletta’s of Illinois: St. Coletta’s Residential Program
The National Hook-up of Black Women, Inc.: Project 100
The South Suburban Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse: Residential Treatment, Recovery Coach
Trinity Services, Inc: Family Counseling Center
Trinity Services, Inc.: Homeless Support Team
VNA Health Care: VNA COVID19 Screening, Testing, Primary Care and Mental Health Services for low-income population in Will Co.
West Suburban Community Pantry: Food for Will County Residents
Will Grundy Medical Clinic: Will-Grundy Medical Clinic – telehealth and prescriptions assistance
Donate to the Fund
Donate by Check
To make a gift by check, make payable to:
United Way of Will County
Memo Line: COVID-19 Fund
54 N. Ottawa Street, Suite 300
Joliet, IL 60432
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COVID-19 Supplies Needed
View a list of critical supplies needed and drop locations