GivingTuesday · December 1, 2026
United Way of
Northwest Illinois
United Way mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive.
Together in Stephenson, Jo Daviess and Carroll counties, we’re strengthening local resilience and advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security.
One gift. Many local possibilities.
Give what fits your budget. Help our community thrive.
Your GivingTuesday gift helps United Way of Northwest Illinois bring people and local partners together so all can thrive.
Across Stephenson, Jo Daviess and Carroll counties, your support helps children learn, neighbors connect with support, and young people prepare for a more independent future.
You do not have to choose just one impact area. A general gift supports UWNI’s community work across connected local needs.
A meaningful gift starts with you.
These are suggested one-time gifts. Any amount is welcome.
Selected gift: $50. Enter this amount again on the payment page.
You will complete your gift on iPOSpays. Your amount is not automatically transferred; please enter it on the payment page. No payment is collected here.
Use the payment link to enter any gift amount directly on iPOSpays.
Where does my donation go?
Your gift supports UWNI’s local programs and partnerships. Local volunteers review funding requests and help guide community investments. The examples below show work your support helps sustain; a general donation is not automatically reserved for one program.
To discuss a particular program or an ongoing gift, call 815-232-5184.
Our shared promise. Our local community.
Taking action together in Northwest Illinois.
For more than 75 years, United Way of Northwest Illinois has partnered with local communities to co-create solutions to people’s most pressing challenges. We take a comprehensive approach, listening and responding to local needs.
With our community partners, we create pathways to early learning, health and wellbeing, financial security and support during difficult moments.
Why give to United Way? A short, silent welcome.
Four connected impact areas
Four ways we take action together.
With our communities and partners, we advance health, youth opportunity and financial security, while helping neighbors address urgent needs.
Healthy Community
Improving health and wellbeing for all
Examples of this work:
- Healthcare access
- Nutrition and food security
- Mental health support
Your gift helps make support easier to reach.UWNI’s reported Safety & Access Change Initiative brought VOICES, RAMP and Tyler’s Justice Center together to improve access to survivor services. Donations help sustain local partnerships like these.
Youth Opportunity
Helping young people realize their full potential
Examples of this work:
- Childcare and early childhood education
- Literacy development
- College and career readiness
$30 can sponsor a year of monthly books for one child.UWNI’s published Imagination Library sponsorship cost is $30 per child for one year. See the sponsorship details and contact UWNI to arrange a gift specifically for this program.
Financial Security
Creating a stronger financial future for every generation.
Examples of this work:
- Job training and career pathways
- Financial education and coaching
- Public benefits access
Your gift helps young people prepare for work.UWNI supports RAMP’s Teens in Transition and Fast Track programs. Its 2024–2025 report recorded transition support for 66 students with disabilities in Stephenson County schools.
Community Resiliency
Addressing urgent needs today for a better tomorrow
Examples of this work:
- Crisis hotline and support
- Emergency preparedness
- Disaster relief and recovery
Your gift helps neighbors find a place to begin.UWNI’s reported partnerships include FACC’s Chicago Avenue Mission shelter, NICAA’s Golden Meals and 211 information and referrals—connecting community support with everyday needs.
Local reasons to believe
Your generosity reaches across our community.
Together with donors, volunteers and local partners, we mobilize communities to action so all can thrive. Here is a snapshot of the work behind that shared commitment.
-
90%
of responding Imagination Library families reported more time reading together.
-
66
students with disabilities received transition support in Stephenson County schools.
-
$222,200
in funding for Community Impact Initiatives.
Source: 2024–2025 Impact Report. Reading results describe survey respondents; student participation and funding describe that reporting period.
Local generosity in action
You are part of a community that gives.
UWNI recognizes these organizations among the supporting sponsors of its local Imagination Library program:
- FHN
- Lena Lions Club
- Freeport Kiwanis Club
Alongside individual sponsors, their support helps keep books arriving in local children’s mailboxes.
See UWNI’s published sponsor acknowledgments. These are Imagination Library supporters, not a list of GivingTuesday donors or matching-gift sponsors.
Let’s take action together, so all of us can rise.
As part of United Way’s global network, we help share innovations and scale impact to improve lives around the world. Together, we’re working towards a future where every person and community can rise.