Cook County Gives FAQ

Cook County employees can pledge a financial donation to organizations making a real difference in our communities. There are two featured organizations, Cook County Forest Preserves Foundation and the Cook County Health Foundation. Employees can also designate their gift to United Way or to any 501c3 nonprofit organization of their choosing.

2025 Cook County Gives Campaign enrollment period begins on October 14, 2024 and ends on October 31, 2024.

The featured charities are the Cook County Forest Preserve Foundation and the Cook County Health Foundation. Employees may also designate their gift to United Way or to any 501c3 nonprofit organization of their choosing.

Your donation multiplies when combined with others. As Cook County employees working together, we can create more impact than any one person in achieving a healthier, stronger community! In addition, your donations are deducted automatically from your paycheck. It's easy and efficient.

You can participate by selecting the login link sent to your work email by United Way of Metro Chicago. The link will direct you to your employee giving profile. From the main page, you will then be able to make your pledge by selecting the payroll deduction or credit card option and following the directions.

If you choose to set up your donation while outside the network, you can choose to create your own account on the Cook County giving site.   

Cook County Charitable Contribution Site (for self-registration)

United Way (When on Cook County Network)

You will be asked to create a profile with your work email address, address and name. As a reminder, please only set up a new account if you work outside the Cook County network and do not receive a link directly from United Way.

Please contact United Way’s Donor Help Desk at donorhelp@liveunitedchicago.org or 312-906-2204, if you have any questions about your pledge or account.

You have two options to make your payroll contributions: A single contribution or spread over 26 pay periods. Deductions begin with the first check date in January 2025 and conclude with the last check date in December 2025. Your pledged contribution will be spread over 26 pay periods unless you choose the single, one-time contribution option. If you chose one-time contribution, the total deduction will be taken from the 01/31/2025 paycheck. You may also make a one-time contribution with a credit card.

The minimum is $1.00 per pay period and your support adds up! A pledge of just $4 per pay period = $104/year! And remember, participation is as important as the amount of your donation.

From the charitable giving site, employees may choose to provide a pledge to multiple organizations. The contribution will be taken as a single amount from your paycheck and then distributed by United Way.

After the campaign period is closed, you cannot make changes to the amount or type of donations. You may stop your contribution by submitting a written request via email to the Risk Management general mailbox, risk.mgmt@cookcountyil.gov and you may pledge again during the next campaign period.

Yes, contributions made as a part of the Cook County Gives Campaign are tax-deductible.

Your last pay stub of the year and a copy of your confirmation email serve as proof of donation for tax purposes. Printed tax receipts are not provided for payroll donations. Printed tax receipts for all credit card gifts $250 and above during 2025 are issued in January 2026 if an email or home address is provided. Receipts for credit card payments at any level are available upon request to donorhelp@liveunitedchicago.org.

Cook County sends United Way donation payments every two weeks following each payroll period. United Way processes the payments and distributes donations 45-60 days after payments are received. Charities are paid monthly if there is a cumulative total of $55 or more directed to them and if they have provided their online banking information to United Way.

No. Cook County believes that giving is a personal decision, free from coercion. Employees are encouraged to support our community however they feel will make the greatest impact and give based on their finances and causes they support.

As a participant in the giving campaign, you are a donor and therefore your giving information will remain confidential. United Way’s privacy and donor rights statement is available online.

Your contribution will be made in 2025, only for this campaign, and will not roll over into future campaigns.

Because there is more than one charity receiving funds from the Cook County Charitable Giving Campaign, you must indicate which organization(s) you want to support.

Please contact the United Way help desk at donorhelp@liveunitedchicago.org or 312-906-2204.