United Way of Metropolitan Chicago today announced that the Bank of America Charitable Foundation is tripling its investment in the United Way Earned Income Tax Credit Program. Through its $30,000 donation, Bank of America Charitable Foundation will support an asset-building strategy that helps low- and moderate-income individuals achieve financial stability in the Chicago region.

This investment grant is part of a national partnership between United Way of America and the Bank of America Charitable Foundation that will provide $2 million in grants throughout America. The United Way Financial Stability Partnership, launched in 2007, was designed to provide working individuals and families in communities across the country with tools to increase their income, build savings and develop and maintain their assets. A fundamental component of this initiative is to help people obtain free tax preparation assistance and unclaimed tax refunds through the EITC.

“Helping families and individuals build wealth is a key priority for Bank of America,” said Bank of America Illinois President David Rudis. “By supporting United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, we hope to help more people effectively navigate the tax system, access free tax preparation services and secure the benefits of the Earned Income Tax Credit, and thereby advance the health and vitality of the Chicago area.”

Last year, Bank of America made it possible for United Way to mobilize 1,945 volunteers in Chicago and help 8,403 people take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) through a $10,000 grant. Program participants received $4.83 million in EITC returns and $12.01 million in tax refunds.

Building on last year’s successful results, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation will provide grants to two statewide and 42 local United Way agencies across the U.S. The Bank of America Charitable Foundation was the first national partner for the United Way EITC program, donating $500,000 for the launch of the United Way Financial Stability Partnership.

“United Way is pleased to partner with Bank of America in an effort that will strengthen our neighborhoods by increasing financial literacy and long-term economic independence,” said Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. “This effort is just one of the many ways that Bank of America, one of our Top 25 Corporate Citizens, works with United Way to promote financial stability.”

The EITC campaigns include marketing and outreach to eligible tax filers; free tax preparation for individuals and families earning less than $39,783 annually by volunteer tax preparers and financial education and other asset building opportunities.

United Way has appointed Deborah L. DeHaas, vice chair & regional managing partner at Deloitte & Touche US LLP, chairperson of the 2008 board of directors. Deborah, a board member since September 2004, has been a United Way supporter for many years. She most recently has chaired the Tocqueville Society and before that served as United Way Campaign Chair for both 2003 and 2004. In addition, through her leadership, Deloitte holds the “#12” spot on the United Way list of Top 25 Corporate Citizens, as well as last year’s “#2” spot for Tocqueville Society members.

“Deb is an inspiration both as a woman business leader and as a philanthropist,” said Janet Froetscher, United Way president and CEO. “She is known throughout the city of Chicago for her work with numerous causes. Her ability to lead our Tocqueville Society toward continued success, as well as her dedication to United Way, make us incredibly excited to announce her as our new board chairperson.”

Deborah, a resident of Winnetka, succeeds Lester McKeever, managing principal, Washington, Pittman and McKeever, who continues as vice chair, as well as a member of the United Way African American Initiative Senior Advisory Committee.

The United Way board of directors also welcomes three new board members: Amy Fahey, president, Chase Middle Marketing Banking Midwest, JPMorgan, Arlene Kowalczyk, senior vice president of Downers Grove National Bank, and Cathy Martine, president and CEO of the Midwest Region, AT&T.

Amy Fahey assists teams of professionals who serve clients with $10-500 million in annual sales across Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri for the Chase and JPMorgan brands. Born and raised in Chicago, she works with several education-related organizations, including Maria High School and Immaculate Conception School. Amy was selected to serve out the remainder of the term for outgoing United Way board member, Bill Daley, vice chairman and chairman of the Midwest Region, JPMorgan.

Arlene Kowalczyk, who resides in Lisle, is responsible for retail banking, operations marketing and the trust area of the bank. She is no stranger to the United Way system, having served as president of United Way of South DuPage and of United Way of the DuPage Area. Arlene joins the metropolitan Chicago board with knowledge in volunteer recruitment, growing revenue and increasing community investment. Last year United Way honored her with an Outstanding Volunteer of the Year award. This award is presented to a United Way volunteer whose time and expertise have led to measurable progress in strengthening the region.

Cathy Martine is responsible for an over $11 billion profit-and-loss statement and an employee base of over 31,000 that spans six states. The scope of her position includes all local company operations in the region including network, and consumer and business sales and service. She has extensive experience in AT&T core operations in enterprise business, consumer and international markets throughout her 27-year career with AT&T. She is also serving out the remainder of the term for outgoing United Way board member and her predecessor at AT&T, Cathy Coughlin.

The United Way of Metropolitan Chicago board of directors is responsible for setting policy and making the critical funding decisions that affect the network of programs and services that address metropolitan Chicago’s greatest needs, including access to health care, economic self-sufficiency, educational development and crisis support. Last year, the board approved $56.5 million for investment in community programs that improve lives and strengthen communities.

Updated from Families Need Your Help: Adopt-A-Family is Back for 2007.

When Calla, an annual workplace contributor, began giving to United Way years ago, she never realized she might find herself one day coming to United Way for help.

But after an illness that left her unable to work for a year, her bills were tightening up and she didn’t know how she would be able to provide Christmas gifts for her family. Luckily, her sister told her about the United Way Adopt-a-Family program.

Thanks to the generosity of an Adopt-a-Family donor, she was able to pick up new sweaters and gift cards to buy presents for her children to unwrap on Christmas morning. Once again healthy and with a new job, she looks forward to being caught up with her bills soon.

Calla’s family is one of more than 80 families (including 282 children) who were able to have a holiday meal, presents for their children and warm clothing for the winter, thanks to the generosity of United Way Adopt-a-Family sponsors.

In total, we raised $5,491, plus $1,878 worth of winter apparel. United Way used the cash donations donations to purchase $25 gift cards redeemable at community partners such as Target and Jewel, allowing the families to secure exactly what each member needs.

From all the families and everyone at United Way, thank you!

This month, 1,591 Target Stores will donate more than 4,500 decorated holiday trees to 1,300 local United Ways nationwide who will deliver the trees to families in need as well as to partners such as shelters and community centers who care for children.

United Way of Metropolitan Chicago worked with Target to arrange for the delivery of 80 trees to brighten people’s holidays. One partner they worked with was Alisha Medina, Member Relations Director for the Rauner Family YMCA, who received three trees through the Target Share-a-Tree Program. The trees allowed her to promote quality family time at the YMCA for low-income working parents and their children. “When we received our trees, we set up a crafts table by them, and families could come in and create ornaments together,” Medina said. “It was very interactive, and it gave us an opportunity to give parents who can get so busy working and then handling things at home a moment to sit down with their children to do something special during the holidays.”

This is the 17th consecutive year Target has donated artificial holiday trees to local community partners and families in need. In past years, United Way volunteers have delivered Target’s trees to various nonprofit agencies and families including women’s shelters and those displaced by Hurricane Katrina. In addition to the trees, Target gave nearly $12 million to communities across the country through United Way in 2006 alone.

Want to read more about the Target-sponsored tree donation program? Click here to download the full press release (.doc, 148 KB).