Why United Way?
United Ways are more than just fundraisers. United ways are the difference makers.
What does United Way do? In short - everything.
Why? Because there is no single solution to meet the needs of ALICE. United Ways understand that we must develop an array of strategies to wrap around those who need support most.
We work to better the education, health, and financial stability of every person in every community. We work to make Michigan a place where ALICE families can flourish. We strive for efficient and effective health and human services delivery through 2-1-1. We show up, every day, ready to tackle our communities toughest problems.
United Ways are uniquely positioned to respond to the emerging needs of their communities while empowering dedicated change-seekers to work towards a long-term vision where every family in Michigan can thrive. We marshal every resource, every relationship, and tens of thousands of volunteers and advocates to create positive, measurable, and sustainable change in their local community and across the state.
If you’re looking to solve a problem, make a change, and improve the lives of those around you, United Way is ready.
How do United Ways work?
Local United Ways unite community resources from donors and workplaces with the most effective programs that intervene in crisis and empower people to build toward self-sufficiency. United Ways provide connection to resources, coordinate services, address gaps in services and support nonprofits that provide access to nutritious food, secure housing, quality education and childcare, mental health services, job training and employment and more. We make data informed investments to meet immediate needs, and strive to transform systems that contribute to creating need in the first place.
Coordinate Resources
Address gaps
Support community nonprofits
United ways are innovative.
In Kalamazoo, United Way is bringing grants to small business owners.
In 2020, the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo introduce their Kalamazoo Micro-Enterprise Grants. The grants provide $5,000 grants to eligible microbusinesses within the city limits to bring relief to Kalamazoo businesses in need of support.
“I applied to numerous grants to no avail. Being a solo private practice owner, it felt as if ‘the little guys’ were being overlooked. I am so happy that United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region saw my business as one they were willing to support.”
The program has benefitted 190 microbusinesses since the launch of the grants, with the majority of grants awarded to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) and women-owned businesses.
The program is a partnership between the City of Kalamazoo and United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region with support from the city's Foundation For Excellence.
united ways believe in partnership.
In Midland, United Way partnered with dow to rebuild after a flood.
There’s no place like home—whether it’s a house address, or company headquarters. Midland County is home to Dow, who is proud to have such deep roots in this community.
When a historic flood impacted Mid-Michigan in May 2020, Dow was one of the first to partner with United Way of Midland County to step in and step up by offering support and resources for residents—including tackling the damage that many homes faced.
The flood wreaked havoc on homes, drying up and leaving $100,000,000 in residential damages behind. Nearly 2,500 households across Midland County were impacted.
That’s where Dow stepped in. What could have been taxing alone they accomplished together in order to help our neighbors.
Along the Pere Marquette Rail Trail in Sanford, 67 Dow volunteers—along with 11 dump truck and equipment drivers—hauled debris to the Midland landfill.
The team removed over 98,535 pounds of building material, trash, tires and household goods. They also helped reunite those impacted by the flood with mementos that were able to be salvaged from the area. Thanks to Team Dow and their long-standing relationship with the United Way of Midland County, treasured items that people thought were gone forever actually were found and returned.
United ways are inclusive.
In Washtenaw county, United Way is working to ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities.
Over the past five years, United Way of Washtenaw County has been on a journey to more fully express their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).In 2020, they launched the 21-day Equity Challenge - a self-guided learning journey to commit to change, understand, and confront racism.
This work quickly spread state-wide and has resulted in dozens of equity challenges across the Michigan United Way Network since the summer of 2020.
Beyond the 21-Day Equity Challenge, the United Way of Washtenaw County has led the Michigan United Way Network in making equity the foundation of their work - bringing new voices to the table, creating solutions that create maximum community benefit, and striving to make sure that by 2030 your zip code no longer determines your opportunities in life.
United ways are collaborative
Across Michigan, United Ways are coming together to work smarter and become stronger.
The landscape of philanthropy is changing and United Ways are changing along with it. Every day, United Ways across Michigan are coming together to do our work in more efficient and effective ways so that we can provide the biggest benefit to local communities.
For some, that means regional projects to bring impact to a larger community. For others, that means sharing backroom operations to lower administrative costs and improve organizational operations. As a MAUW member, it means coming together in a shared space to share best practices and learnings.
What we know for sure? This isn’t your grandparent’s United Way. We may be a 125-year old philanthropic institution, but we continue to evolve to meet the needs of the moment. Today, Michigan needs United Ways more than ever.
When United Ways come together to solve a problem - that’s where magic happens.
We create positive and permanent change by forging unlikely partnerships, finding new solutions to old problems and mobilizing the best resources. But we don't do it alone.