Experience the impact taking place through United Way and our funded partners. See programs and facilities where people receive life changing services and hear from the staff and volunteers leading the change. Learn about how your United Way contribution is helping change the story. Book a private tour for your group of 10 to 28 […]
In our region, a growing number of households are working yet struggling to make ends meet. Our community goal is to transition 8,500 households in the region to economic stability by 2025. 56,200 households (41%) have annual income at or below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold—people who are working but struggling to […]
Ensure that our regional community has a safety net in place to help individuals and families access basic necessities during times of need. Our regional 2-1-1 received more than 10,000 calls in 2015 for utility assistance alone. Assistance with obtaining basic needs continues to be within the top five unmet needs in our community. Having […]
Don’t be surprised if you see United Way everywhere you look this week. Dozens of A first job is a big milestone in life. For a person with a disability, A new video travels alongside local people whose stories have been changed through United Way. Sometimes volunteering in the community can be child’s play. by […]
In our region, the infant mortality rate for black babies is far higher than for white babies. Our community goal is to improve infant mortality rates in families of color and low-income families to 6.0 per 1,000 babies by 2025. Babies of color are up to 4.5 times more likely to die before their first […]
In addition to funding existing programs in Education, Income, Health and Basic Needs, UWBCKR helps lead, support, manage and/or fund a number of initiatives that help specific segments of our community. These Community Collaborations work with various nonprofit agencies, existing programs and new programs created by United Way specifically to maximize their collective impact.
United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region addresses the most pressing needs in our regional community. Our impact strategy focuses on specific, measurable outcomes and collaborative efforts that produce healthy, educated and economically stable individuals and families. According to a United Way sponsored study of financial stability in Michigan, more than 40% of […]
Community Engagement is the inclusion of diverse perspectives towards more equitable programs, services, and outcomes. United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region intentionally designs activities to create opportunity for the aspirations, concerns, needs and values of people and communities to be incorporated at all levels and in all sectors in planning, decision-making; policy […]
In our mission to create lasting change for individuals and families in our regional community, we find, fund, and partner with the most effective local programs and initiatives that create real opportunities and get real results. Do you want to be one of them? If you meet the eligibility criteria outlined below, we invite you […]
United Way partners with programs, community leaders, government officials, and legislators across our regional community and the state to advocate for efforts and policies that create positive systemic changes in Education, Income, Health, and Basic Needs. United Way is uniquely positioned to advocate for change because: We have diverse partners and relationships that span the […]
United Way isn’t just a funder of other nonprofits. We’re a strategic partner that unites people, ideas, passion and resources to address needs in our community and promote equity by addressing racial and economic disparities. How We Invest Want to know how we invest locally? Click here. The funds raised by UWBCKR are invested in […]
Aspiring Leaders United (ALU), an affinity group of UWBCKR, envisions a community of emerging leaders with a powerful, intentional, engaged voice in philanthropic activities. The mission is to improve the lives of individuals in the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo region by engaging a new and upcoming demographic of leaders in philanthropy by giving, advocating and […]
Posted on June 12, 2017 at 10:05 pm. Chris Sargent, President & CEO, United Way BCKR Chris Sargent, a Battle Creek resident with nearly two decades of nonprofit leadership, including multiple roles with United Way, has been named President and Chief Executive Officer for United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region (UWBCKR). “The […]
Be a Champion For Change! United Way’s Workplace Campaigns are about bringing people together where they work to tackle our community’s most challenging issues – because no one person or organization can do it alone. Whether a small business, a major corporation or even a non-profit organization, you can join the numerous local businesses and […]